Reading to Kids
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September 17, 2010
I started volunteering with Reading to Kids as part of a college group, but have been returning off and on since 2001. It's super flexible because you sign up for the months you are free, but every time you go you can see what an impact it makes with each of the kids, especially when you come back month after month and the kids know you are really there for them. It is amazing to make a positive difference in just a few hours once a month!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching kids open up from barely speaking the entire reading club to opening up and telling what is going on in their lives the second they see you.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give it more funding to be able to expand to other schools. It is having such a great impact that it's a shame it isn't being shared even more.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
making a difference in the community.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amazing, welcoming, and supportive.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand to 100 schools.
Ways to make it better...
there were donuts in the morning, but bagels are good there!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the tough economy.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I have seen all the money raised going directly into the program, and that everyone works hard to make it work, work together, and make a difference.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
September 16, 2010
I so enjoy Reading to Kids! After I moved back to LA, I was searching for a community service program to get involved in regularly. I searched all over the internet and I happened upon the Reading to Kids site. I signed up for the following month's reading club and the rest was history. I started as a volunteer reader and after a year, I choose to take more of an active role as a site coordinator. I love the group of people I see every month. I never regret my time spent on that Saturday with the volunteers and the kids. I hope that more people find out about the Reading to Kids and sign up!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the children who come to the program every month.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
September 16, 2010
Reading to kids is great, you literally read books to kids and then do a craft with the kids to further expand on the story, themes and messages. The kids are great, the volunteers are great, the organization is great
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the reaction of the kids and watching them grow throughout the year.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
my interaction with the kids and the other volunteers.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
awesome
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help a lot more kids at a lot of schools throughout the country and the world
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
September 15, 2010
Reading to Kids is a simple concept - spend some time reading to a small group of elementary school children then give them free books. But the effect is powerful both for the kids and the volunteers. The kids are developing a love for reading that will serve them throughout their lives. The volunteers are making a difference in an underserved part of the city. It's a win-win proposition. At my job, we talk about the WIIFMs - what's in it for me. So let's talk about the WIIFMs for Reading to Kids. What's In It For The Kids o A free book. Even if they wanted to read at home, most of them have no age-appropriate reading material there. One of the teachers at the school where I volunteer said that she taught migrants in the Central Valley and they had more reading material in their homes than her kids do. o A fun experience with reading. Another teacher told me that No Child Left Behind has squeezed all the fun out of reading during the school day. o A more stimulating experience than video games or Saturday cartoons. o Occasional special events that complement the monthly theme like musical performances, magicians and visits from Santa Claus. o A chance to hang out with cool volunteers. What's In It For Volunteers o A chance to make a difference (even a small one) in a child's life. o The glow of children's smiles. o Observing the wonderment of discovery as kids get into the book and the story. o Lots of warm fuzzy or laugh out loud funny moments. o Maybe a special handmade card or present from the kids. o Maybe some exercise from dancing the hokey-pokey or playing duck duck goose. o Breakfast (often with Starbucks coffee) and munchies at lunch. o A chance to hang out with cool volunteers. All of this can be yours for low low price of three hours on one Saturday morning a month. We call that great return on investment.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I feel more connected to my community and more committed to its development.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
everything. I love interacting with the kids, volunteers and teachers. It's magic watching the children enjoy a story that the volunteers are reading.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
first rate
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
replicate its success in 50 large cities around the country
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
February 1, 2008
The “easy,” but valuable volunteer experience … I have been a reading to kids volunteer for two years, and this is my first review on great non profits. I joined reading to kids as part of a new year’s resolution to contribute more to the community. I enrolled on the website and was given clear directions to the school. I arrived on Saturday morning, I went to training, and was reading to third graders by 10 am. The experience was great! The children were enthusiastic about reading, the other volunteers were friendly, and getting breakfast was an added benefit. I have stayed with reading to kids for a number of reasons. *The clubs are always the second Saturday of the month, and if you cannot make a Saturday or two, its ok. You will be very excited to return the following month. *The kids are great – and after a few clubs, you will see returning kids that will recognize you and say the most endearing things! *The other volunteers are “good people.” It nice to be reminded of the truly nice people out there – especially after a week of commuting on LA freeways. *And of course, the main reason I stay, the reading to kids’ staff is awesome!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the children that we read to - they are more interested in reading.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not be as good as s, j, and j.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
having children recognize me at clubs months later and tell me that they finished the book and loved it!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly and engaging. Lots of volunteers are passionate about the program.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
ruin Saturday morning cartoon viewership.
Ways to make it better...
if it was every weekend!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008