How about starting off with a story about your earliest experience learning to read or a favorite childhood book?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n I was a struggling young reader and it was a very stressful time. \u00a0My mother remains a voracious reader and she read to me and my sister. \u00a0Clifford the Big Red Dog<\/i> was among my favorites. \u00a0But mostly I read because I had to and it wasn’t until I read The Outsiders<\/i> that reading clicked for me. \u00a0I got lost in the pages and hours passed that felt like minutes. \u00a0Had I not had the support during my times of struggling to read I would not know the wonderful joy of reading.<\/p>\n Three community leaders in the Bay Area launched a one-on-one tutoring program in 1999 to help students with the poorest reading skills.\u00a0 They recruited volunteers and quickly recognized the power of one-on-one attention for struggling readers and the power of the community to support children and schools.<\/p>\n Is there any special research that you base your mission upon?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes, the following reports by The Annie E. Casey Foundation \u201cunderscore the urgency of ensuring that children develop proficient reading skills by the end of third grade, especially those living in poverty or in impoverished communities.\u201d<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.aecf.org\/KnowledgeCenter\/Publications.aspx?pubguid=%7B58440238-1626-476F-AFDA-155D2185FB3A%7D<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.aecf.org\/KnowledgeCenter\/Publications.aspx?pubguid=%7B8E2B6F93-75C6-4AA6-8C6E-CE88945980A9%7D<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n What are some of the \u2018infinite possibilities\u2019 that you believe can come from matching a tutor with a child?<\/strong><\/p>\n Seeing a child bound to the stage to read in front of their peers, teachers, families, and friends tells me everything I need to know about the power of the tutor\/student relationship.<\/p>\n The Reading Partners’ curriculum is research based and the measurable outcomes consistently demonstrate the positive impact on the students’ reading achievement. \u00a0But it is the self-confidence that also sets up the foundation for success for these students.<\/p>\n At the beginning of the school year a struggling young reader would not be very excited to read on a stage in front of an audience. This student standing on the stage, often with their tutor at their side, has gone beyond the phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension learning that they receive in their twice weekly meetings with their tutor. \u00a0This student has moved into a confident young person who knows that they are supported by a caring tutor. \u00a0The door is now open for infinite possibilities for this student.<\/p>\n Give us 3 Fast Facts about your organization:<\/strong><\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 In 2012-13, nearly 9 in 10 Reading Partners students (88%) accelerated their rate of learning in reading.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 We are proud to be part of AmeriCorps with 145 members doing service for their country with Reading Partners nationwide.<\/p>\n What\u2019s in store for Reading Partners in 2014?<\/strong><\/p>\n In Los Angeles, we will serve 600 students by the end of the 2013-14 school year by engaging over 1000 community volunteers.\u00a0 We have brought our curriculum into alignment with the Common Core State Standards and look forward to using it with more students in the future.<\/p>\n What should volunteers expect in working for Reading Partners – does it take any special training? How much time will volunteers need to commit?<\/strong><\/p>\n Volunteers can tutor a student in Reading Partners in as little as one hour per week.\u00a0 There is no special training or background required \u2013 we provide the lessons and materials needed as well as ongoing training by our staff.\u00a0 Our volunteers range from high school students to retirees \u2013 anyone can do it!<\/p>\n For those that are instantly inspired to support Reading Partners after reading this, tell us how they can donate or get involved:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Reading](\"https:\/\/read.betherebedtimestories.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/readingpartners.png\")
<\/a>Tell us what inspired the mission of Reading Partners and for how many years?<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Reading](\"https:\/\/read.betherebedtimestories.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/reading-partners-volunteer2.jpg?w=300\")
<\/a>1.\u00a0 Over 7,700 community volunteers will serve 7,000 students in Reading Partners nationwide this year.<\/p>\n