The One to One program, which operates in 14 Vernon area schools, has just wrapped up our 19th year and we are excited, and thankful, to be planning a 20-year celebration and thank you tea this fall.
We could not continue our programs without the amazing support of our talented and committed volunteers.
Our volunteers truly make a difference in the lives of the children they read with, passing along their infectious love of reading, sharing their time and boosting the self-confidence of young readers.
This weekly reading practice, three or four times a week for 12 weeks, builds relationships with several caring adults and supports students in reaching their full potential.
Not only do the children who participate in the program become better readers but their self-confidence and enjoyment of reading also increases.
In this past year alone, the program saw about 400 volunteers read with more than 500 students.
These dedicated tutors volunteered more than 4,100 hours.
It is difficult to estimate the total number of volunteer hours spent with students over the past 19 years as our program has grown dramatically since 1996.
We do know that many connections have been made and we hear many positive stories from parents, teachers, students and the volunteers themselves.
We would like to ask all of our present and past volunteers to please save the date and plan to attend the 20th anniversary celebration Sept. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Schubert Centre.
We can’t thank you enough.
Bonnie Hutton,
District Co-ordinator, One to One Program,
Junction Literacy Centre