READ Jr.

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Low literacy adults often have a difficult time helping their children succeed in school, which makes those children much more likely to face reading difficulties of their own. READ Jr. is a family literacy program in which volunteer tutors work with parents and children together to help break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy. High school students act as tutors and a reading role model for the children, demonstrating that fun and learning can be synonymous. Together they practice reading aloud, working on homework assignments, completing writing and spelling activities and playing learning games. The tutoring is always aimed at the children’s individual skill level, interests and needs. The parents participate in all of the tutoring activities so that they can learn strategies to assist their children on their own. In this way, the children get help with their reading, writing and homework, while their parents learn how to become involved in their children’s learning. So far, the program has reached over thirty adult learners and their children with family literacy services. Although the county staff provides training, resources and technical support for the tutors, the direct service to the learners comes from the county’s dedicated volunteers.