I was assigned a third grade girl at the beginning of the school year and we met once a week in the school library during lunch to read. You remain assigned to your student throughout their term at the school, so you develop a bond and history. My student loves to read, as do I, and we both look forward to our weekly visit. I believe I am setting an example that reading can be fun. It is a great mentoring opportunity, and kids can never have too many mentors.
I had a great time reading to a great kid in a Los Angeles elementary school. I moved out of town and had to stop. Everybody Wins was great, the school was great, the kid was great, the EW staff was great. I actually saw my kid improve!!!
A wonderful experience that enabled me to make a difference in a young girl's life. The nicest surprise was how she began to smile and laugh after about six months of reading with me. I wasn't sure she was getting much out of our time together up to that point. This girl was very withdrawn and uncommunicative, but she did like to read! I also discovered that she had leadership skills, in that she would periodically bring other quiet, withdrawn girls with her to read with me. We spent much time reading, discussing the characters in the stories, learning new words, examining punctuation marks, and building confidence. And yes, the other girls learned to laugh and smile too. This experience with these "little women" was delightful! I would highly recommend this program...very rewarding!
I was introduced to Everybody Wins from a co-worker, as I was looking for an opportunity to give back to the community. I had a longing to give back - to share my time and talents - in order to have a meaningful impact. I do not have the financial resources to provide funding for programs, but I possess a precious commodity I intended to share - my time! Everybody Wins is one of the most rewarding programs I have ever participated in. It's very flexible and efficient in terms of my time. Myself and a co-worker trade off each week reading to an elementary school student. In most cases, the students' parents do not speak English at home. Pairing with someone at work provides flexibility to manage my workload. Giving up one lunch hour every two weeks is hardly a sacrifice, so my time is used very efficiently. I have worked with other nonprofits where a lot of time goes by and you wonder when you are actually going to help someone. At Everybody Wins not a minute is wasted. Everyone is looking to make an impact; that's why we volunteer. Eeverybody Wins is not some "one-off" day of doing good. You get the opportunity to work with the same child week after week and year to year, which allows you to see the impact you're having on this young person. I had no experience reading to kids prior to volunteering for Everybody Wins. However, I quickly realized that my student was far behind in reading. In fact, most of the kids' parents do not speak English at this predominantly Latino elementary school. I was able to help her pronounce words correctly and read sentences more fluidly. It will take a long time for her to get caught up, but I get to play a role in getting her to a better place. What more could you ask for?
This is a great nonprofit. I love this part of my week. I can see the difference I am making! It is also so easy to do, don't really miss work. The director, Craig, was fun to train with. I recommend anyone to be come part of their Power Lunch.
Everybody Wins! is a great charity in that it offers working people with hectic schedules and easy way to fit in helping a child in a very personal way during their lunch hour. You can see the results over the course of a year working with your child. The program is easy to navigate and work within. Definitely a great program!
As a reading volunteer, I read to "my" 4th grade student, Chris, each week of the school year during my lunch break. I have been reading to Chris for 2 years now. When I first had Chris read back to me, he would become a little apprehensive. To make reading enjoyable instead of a chore, I would get into character and alternate with Chris on the dialogue. On several occassions we would re-read sections because he thought they were so funny. I wish we could do more than once a week, but it still is enjoyable to see the development of a young person and have them learn to read for pleasure.
Everybody Wins is a great organization with a great cause. Through a colleague who supports the organization, I learned of this great opportunity to participate in their power lunch program. Once a week I get to read with an elementary school student during his lunch time. It takes just a few minutes out of my day/week but it's so rewarding and enjoyable.