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.