Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
-
The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading helps children from birth through 3rd grade, especially those from asset-limited families, succeed in life by ensuring that they read on grade level. The focus is on key solutions that impact a child’s ability to read, while strengthening support for children and families.
Reading Volunteers meet for one hour a week during the school year (outside of school hours) to read with children one-to-one, promoting literacy skills and encouraging a love of reading. They may also be asked to play educational games with students based on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and/or comprehension.
Volunteer for Literacy Programs
-
Partner with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. If you love reading, enjoy working with children, and can commit to one hour of volunteering per week, please contact these community agencies and become a volunteer.
Literacy Volunteers, click here for important information.
The volunteer programs below are not affiliated with the School District of Manatee County. All volunteers are recruited and trained by the respective community agencies. Please do not contact schools directly.
Books for Kids
Books For Kids is a project of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. Their mission is to raise the reading levels of elementary school students by helping with reading comprehension and by providing “Books For Kids.” They also engage parents and guardians in literacy-based activities so that the entire family can become involved. The goal is to improve the quality of life for boys and girls in underserved communities throughout Florida by increasing the number of books in home libraries. Volunteers dedicate one hour a week during the school year to meet with students and support their reading comprehension. Other volunteer opportunities are available such as book distributions.
To register as a volunteer, please contact:
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch
Ted Lindenberg
(845) 304-5793
https://flbooksforkids.orgPrintable Flyer - English
Flyer imprimible - Español
Books for Kids Kindergarten
The Books for Kids Kindergarten program is coordinated by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch Books for Kids Kindergarten Program provides trained community volunteers to go into one kindergarten classroom at Title I schools for 20 weeks to read to students individually or in a small group (2-3) for a 30-minute session. This program helps children to develop reading skills, build vocabulary, and have a positive relationship with books. Each week this program provides each child with a new book for literature in their home.
Other volunteer opportunities are available such as labeling and leveling books. Our goals are:
• To build genuine, impactful relationships between students and our volunteer mentors
• To help students build a strong social-emotional foundation through self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making
• To improve students' understanding of the fundamental building blocks of early literacyThe Books for Kids Program and the Books for Kids Kindergarten Program will provide an after-school hours virtual literacy mentoring program. Kindergarten – third-grade parents at participating Title I schools must opt-in after school hours to participate and to schedule a trained community volunteer. Literacy volunteers will read with the child, review vocabulary words, support text and listening comprehension skills and generate enthusiasm for books and reading.
To register as a volunteer, please contact:
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch
Ted Lindenberg
(845) 304-5793
https://flbooksforkids.org
ReadingPals
ReadingPals is a coordinated effort by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County. ReadingPals, a statewide program designed by the Children's Movement of Florida, is a volunteer-based literacy initiative that provides mentors for kindergarten students. Volunteers dedicate 30 minutes a week for 25 weeks during the school year to meet with students and support a love of reading.
To register as a volunteer, please contact:
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee
Rachel Spivey
(941) 757-2900 ext 2501
ReadingPals@elc-manatee.org
Dive into Reading
The Dive into Reading summer reading program, provided by Anna Maria Oyster Bar, aims to improve children’s reading levels and mitigate summer learning loss.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar
https://www.oysterbar.net/reading
Soar in 4
Soar in 4 is a collaborative effort to ensure all children are reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Soar in 4 focuses on 15 economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Due to COVID-19, the program has transitioned to a monthly drive-thru with 14 demonstration tables that are facilitated by teachers from the School District of Manatee County, non-profit organizations and volunteers. Every month a spotlight book is featured. Families drive by each table and receive materials to support the book so they can continue to play, create, learn and explore at home together. All activities are aligned to classroom learning.
School District of Manatee County
Sheila Halpin | Coordinator Campaign Reading
(941) 753-0958 x2008
halpins@manateeschools.netSoar in 4
https://soarin4.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County provide the children of Manatee County with a safe place to learn and grow, life-enhancing programs, character-building experiences, and hope and opportunity. Club members are offered daily access to a range of programs in 3 core areas: academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Whether you are an individual interested in volunteering your time and talent, or a group looking to give back to the community, there are a variety of ways to get involved. Please visit https://www.bgcmanatee.org/volunteer for more information.
Locations:
Daughtrey Elementary | 515 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34203
DeSoto Boys & Girls Club | 5236 30th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207
Manatee Elementary | 1609 6th Ave. E., Bradenton, FL 34208
Oneco Elementary | 5214 22nd Street Ct. E., Bradenton, FL 34203
Palmetto Boys & Girls Club | 1600 10th Street W., Palmetto, FL 34221
Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary | 513 13th Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34205Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
Robert Rogers | Volunteer Coordinator
941-761-2582 x109
volunteer@bgcmanatee.org
UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP)
The UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP) has provided free nutrition education to SNAP-eligible people in Florida since 1996. FNP has joined the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and is collaborating with the Manatee County Library to offer nutrition lessons and a storytime experience at eligible schools in Manatee county. FNP also offers free resources for local organizations to support and promote healthy eating and physical activity in their communities. For additional information, please visit https://familynutritionprogram.org.
UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program
Tara Gage
(941) 722-4524 x1856
tgage@ufl.edu
Hope4Communities
Hope4Communities ensures that children are prepared for school. The Day4Hope initiative provides homeless and in need children in Manatee County with a back-to-school event on local church campuses. Participating schools recommend students to attend the summer event. Each child receives a medical exam, eye screening, child and family portrait, personal care bag, gift cards for clothes and shoes, dental exam/cleaning instruction, haircut, backpack, school supplies and much more. Hope4Communities partners with local churches to mentor the student and their family year-round. Aligned with the Campaign for Grade Level Reading, the partner church supports parent success by focusing on a holistic approach of support to improve student academic outcomes. To learn more, please visit https://www.hope4c.us/the-initiative.
-
Volunteer reading mentors are crucial to early literacy efforts.
