Release
Senior Reading Buddies Needed
to Help Area Children
Contact: Lisa James Goldsberry (518) 437-4980
ALBANY, NY - (December 9, 2004) -- The Retired
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the University
at Albany seeks avid readers to join its Discovery
Box Literacy Program. The program places senior
citizens in schools where they read aloud to
grades K-3 students, working with up to three
children at a time.
The program fosters a love of reading in young
children and offers much needed assistance to
our local schools. Discovery Box, now in its
ninth year, has proven to be very effective
in improving students' scholastic achievements,
helping children succeed and contributing to
productive, happy classrooms.
Volunteers are not required to have any teaching
experience to join Discovery Box. A love of
reading, the ability to commit to one hour per
week for the school year, and the strong desire
to be a positive influence in a child's life
are all that are needed. Volunteers receive
professional training, access to a large collection
of children's books, mileage or bus fare reimbursement,
and recognition for their service.
Interested seniors (or candidates who are not
senior citizens) should contact the office at
(518) 442-5585 for more information on upcoming
trainings. There are currently volunteer openings
in Albany, Troy, and East Greenbush schools.
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is
part of Senior Corps of the Corporation for
National and Community Service, and is sponsored
by the School of Social Welfare at the University
at Albany.
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