Volunteers can help teach children early reading skills

The following are volunteer opportunities in Waterloo Region. For more information, call the Volunteer Action Centre at 519-742-8610 or check the website: www.volunteerkw.ca.

• Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre is looking for a volunteer receptionist to manage their front desk. As a receptionist, you will be the first point of contact for the community centre. Welcome guests, answer and direct telephone calls, take messages for staff, provide information about the centre and community, and register families for activities.

Shifts are a minimum of one half-day per week, Monday to Friday, from either 9 a.m. to noon or 12:30 to 4 p.m. If interested, please email volunteer co-ordinator Alicia at aliciad@greenwaychaplin.com or call 519-623-4220.

Volunteer coaches are needed for the Letters, Sounds and Words™ program, offered by Strong Start. This 10-week program used in elementary schools helps five- to seven-year-old children develop early reading skills through activities and games.

Enjoy a rewarding experience by giving 30 minutes each week with one child. Training is provided by Strong Start. To start volunteering, contact an elementary school that is using the program. For more information, including the list of schools running the program, please visit strongstart.ca or email info@strongstart.ca.

Frontier College is a national literacy organization that believes literacy is a right. They are looking for dedicated volunteers to help out at youth homework programs and reading circles in Kitchener and Waterloo this fall. Volunteer tutors will work with learners one-on-one or in small groups, providing academic support in an informal and encouraging environment. Training is provided. Evening and Saturday opportunities are available. For more information, please contact Emily at 519-496-3079 or email waterloo@frontiercollege.ca.