“Rally for Reading” seeks 2000 Reading Partners volunteers

ENGLISH

A capacity crowd filled the auditorium at Rudisill Regional Library last Thursday, Nov. 10 to show support for Reading Partners, the nonprofit group that since 2013 has placing community volunteers in low-income schools to help kids master basic reading skills.

ENGLISH Tulsa is one of 14 communities nationwide to benefit from the program.

Reading Partners’ “Rally for Reading” featured remarks from Tulsa’s Mayorelect G.T. Bynum, Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) Board president Dr. Lana TurnerAddison, TPS Superintendent Dr. Deborah A. Gist, Ben Stewart of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and Elizabeth Brands Vereecke of Reading Partners Tulsa. Attendees also heard from Latasha Latasha Lucas, who has volunteered as a reading coach for the past two years.

Gist acknowledged that local schools lack financial resources, but said that in spite of this the community is helping students overcome reading deficiencies, particularly among the city’s disadvantaged kids, and praised the spirit of volunteerism in Tulsa.

“There are no people like the people in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who are generous of spirit, time, of resources, energy, love [and] optimism,” Gist said, “so I know we’re going to get it done. We’re going to get it done with community support.”

“Reading partners makes a lasting impact,” Gist insisted. “It’s about results and making a difference that we can track and count on.”

The rally served as the launch for Reading Partners’ goal of securing 2000 additional volunteers to commit to reading with kids at local schools for at least one hour each week. Bynum personally accepted the challenge, as did Gist and Turner-Addison. Many of those who came to the rally also pledged their time and support.

Lucas spoke warmly of her time as a Reading Partners volunteer, describing how the program helps foster not just reading skills, but a sense of self-confidence in students.

“There is no better way to spend one hour a week,” Lucas said, urging all Tulsa area residents to take up the challenge and volunteer.

“Today, only one in four Oklahoma fourth graders is reading at a proficient level and 36% lack even basic literacy skills,” The organization states on its website. “By partnering with parents, teachers, public schools, and community leaders in Tulsa, Reading Partners is poised to address Tulsa’s significant achievement gap.”

Bilingual reading volunteers are especially needed.

For more information or to become a Reading Partners volunteer, visit http://readingpartners.org/location/tul sa/ or call 918-949-1979. (La Semana)