Here at BRHA we have nine staff members that participate in the Reading Buddy program. There are also several community people who volunteer to read every week. We will take new Buddies at any time. There are still many children at Washington-Lee Elementary School who could benefit from having a Reading Buddy. We want all of our children to reach their full potential. A strong education is necessary for them to succeed and the Reading Buddy program is a very important part of helping them to succeed.
The Reading Buddy program is active in the elementary schools in both Bristol, VA and Tn. It has been determined that from Kindergarten through third grade, we teach children to read. Then, from third grade on, a child will read to learn. So many of our children have difficulty reading and learning to read. When they don’t have that good foundation, educational success is very difficult for the student to achieve.
The Reading Buddy program has proven to be effective in motivating and encouraging a child to read. A volunteer goes into the school once per week to read with their Buddy. Ideally, a volunteer will read with the same child from Kindergarten through the third grade, therefore, providing the relationship that will encourage and help to motivate the child.
Click here for more information, or call the BRHA main office @ 276-642-2001 to learn how YOU can volunteer to make a difference in a child’s life!
For an even further in-depth look at the issues presented by these challenges, visit www.nahro.org. Here you will find a previously-published article by the Journal of Housing & Community Development, which offers ideas and solutions to address the educational challenges children (and parents) face in public housing and how communities and families can help ensure their success.
Courtesy: National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
