Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Reading Time

To be perfectly honest, I get kind of nervous when I meet new people. One nervous afternoon, I found myself cross-legged on the floor at the Phoenix Public Library, trying my hardest to make a mischievous little dog’s voice come to life. All I wanted was a smile, and as soon as the little girl I was reading to laughed, I felt my nervous tension melt. That little dog’s voice empowered me- I can do a mean Toad and Kangaroo too.

Though I will sit and read children's books anywhere, anytime- the afternoon I am referring to was part of a volunteer project called “Read to Me” through HandsOn Greater Phoenix.

One of the greatest resources I have found in my search for community involvement is HandsOn Greater Phoenix. They have countless opportunities to get involved- from reading to kids to tending gardens, serving food, and cleaning up schools- they have a calendar full of great opportunities to volunteer in our communities. A great plus- the volunteering projects are graded with age appropriateness labels. So if you are looking for a volunteer opportunity to take your kids to you can peruse the calendar to see what they have.

I have fallen in love with the “Read to Me” program. They have several downtown locations, and volunteers meet about once a month to read books to kids who are brought in from inner city neighborhoods. After we read, the kids present their favorite books to the group. This program allows children over ten to be part of the volunteer team- my son partners up with me and whatever child we are fortunate enough to be paired with. It is so rewarding on so many fronts. Primarily, it gives us the opportunity to be involved together to serve a cause that I hold near and dear to my heart- literacy. It solidifies a sense of community through involvement.

I have a great son, a bunch of great nephews, and all of my friends have kids that I adore. I used to believe that being a good role model to them was enough- and granted; I still believe that is really important. However, rather than having them learn just from my example, I realize I want these kids to be in it with me- involved up to their elbows. Projects like "Read to Me" are a great way to get our kids active.

12 comments:

  1. This is a great idea. I'll have to look in to this for me and my oldest son. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Thanks! If you are interested in the "Read to Me" program in particular it fills up fast. They allow volunteers to sign up a few months in advance.

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  3. This sounds like a great volunteer resource! I have a place I already volunteer, but I'll be sure to recommend it to friends!

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  4. I absolutely love this! I am going to have to look into it it sounds awesome.

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  5. Thank you for providing us some great ideas. Kids are our future it is so important to have a positive impact in their lives. I think we can get some real inspiration from your involvement. Thank you again!!

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  6. I think it is amazing what you do. Someday soon I will be in your shoes.

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  7. This really does sound like a great volunteer opportunity. I think it's awesome that you not only look for ways that you can help out, but find fun ways for your son and nephews to get involved too.

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  8. This is really cool that you do this, I'll definitely look into it.

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  10. I didn't even know about this program. I think people would be amazed if they knew how many kids never got read to growing up

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  11. It's great that you volunteer your time to do this. One of my favorite times from elementary school was when the teacher would read to the class after recess. Hopefully these childrens' memories will be as fond as mine of someone reading to me.

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  12. Thanks everybody! We went for a 'Read To Me' event this weekend but it was canceled shortly after we got to the library due to unforeseen circumstances. We met some great people waiting with the other volunteers to see if the kids would be able to make it, and we spent a great rainy afternoon at the library- a win-win situation either way!

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