Wanted: Kids needing reading help and volunteers to read with them

RSVP, working in collaboration with the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, is engaging home-based volunteers to help students in grades 1-5 bring their reading skills up to grade level.

The Virtual Reading Program, using United Way’s one-to-one virtual tutoring platform Vello, links volunteers and students for twice-a-week 30-minute reading sessions. Parents from Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties and Philadelphia can register their children for the free program online at rsvpmc.org/virtual-literacy-1.

Volunteers are particularly needed to staff a partnership with Gotwals Elementary School in Norristown. Gotwals third-graders selected by their teachers receive individual reading enrichment at 1:30 p.m. as part of their virtual school day. To volunteer to read with Gotwals students or parent-registered children from other schools, visit rsvpmc.org/ volunteer-1 and click “Sign up for Volunteering.”

“RSVP and United Way share a goal of helping students recover from the educational challenges that they experienced as a result of COVID,” said RSVP Executive Director Michele Moll. “We know that children need additional resources and supports to help them prepare to get back to school full time. We will be expanding our virtual reading after-school program to more families and, in addition, plan to offer a summer reading program.”

Students and their volunteers meet in the virtual classrooms. The student selects a readinglevel-appropriate book to read from content provider Raz-Kids. With their volunteer’s help, the student reads the book, then takes a quiz.

“After a certain number of correct quizzes, Vello automatically bumps the child up a tick in their reading level,” said Jackie Matusow, who coordinates the Virtual Reading Program.

Parents receive a report on their child’s progress.

Volunteers receive training on the Vello website. Worksheets, discussion questions and other materials are available to them. They must clear state-mandated background checks to work with children.

Women United, a United Wayaffiliated group, is participating in the Virtual Reading Program both as a sponsor and a source of volunteers.

The program “is an early learning partner Women United is proud to be affiliated with,” said Justine Sloyer, a group member.

“Vello enables us to mentor children through the power of reading from a safe distance,” she said. “If you have 30 minutes in your day and a cellphone or a device with internet connection, you can easily make a difference in a child’s life for the long run.”

Glenmede, a company that provides investment and wealth management services to families and institutions, has a history of community support dating to its birth as steward of the Pew Memorial Trust, now separately managed. Several Glenmede employees are providing support for the Virtual Reading program.

“Not only is stewardship one of our core values,” said Bridget Golato, engagement officer at Glenmede, “but supporting the communities where we live and work is something our employees truly value. We are grateful for our partnerships with the United Way and RSVP, and the opportunity to participate in the Vello Virtual Reading Program. It has been instantly rewarding to work with the students and see their commitment to becoming better and more confident readers.”

Jack Gardner, a retired teacher, tutors third-graders from the Gotwals Elementary School.

“Recently I’ve worked with young ladies named Amy, Kimberly and Guadaloupe, one at a time for 30 minutes,” he said. “The kids are absolutely delightful. It’s so refreshing to hear their voices and enthusiasm.

“Some of the kids are strong readers. Others need all the help they can get. Their teachers must be doing a superb job of motivating these kids because they all have a very positive attitude about becoming better readers and learners. It’s very refreshing.”

“It’s a highlight of my retired days,” said volunteer tutor Merri Walkenstein, whose nursing career included working in critical care, burn treatment and for 18 years, being the school nurse.

She has worked with Jacob, now a Delaware County fifthgrader, since RSVP launched the

Virtual Reading Program when school classrooms shut down last year. They continued their twice-weekly, 30-minute sessions through the summer and into this year.

“Jake to me is an ideal student,” she said. “He is always eager and excited about choosing the books. I’ve seen him make progress, not only in pronunciation and word selection, but in the way he reads. He’s starting to add drama and read in the characters’ voices.

“The other day one of the quizzes at the end had a question about a highlighted vocabulary word. He got it right away. ‘That’s why we look at the glossary at the end!’ he told me. It’s great that he finds value in what we’re doing.”

Jacob’s mother, Amy, said her son had “always been behind in reading. We received notification about the (Virtual Reading Program) from the school. We can choose our time of day. Jacob absolutely loves it. He doesn’t want to miss a session. He’s created a pretty big bond with Merri.

“This year, in fifth grade, he is no longer considered reading behind grade level. He’s never been a fan of reading alone, so I have to believe this program helped him. He never requires coaxing to log into this program, he always wants to do it. And now, he seems to feel more comfortable doing his homework. It has improved his confidence.

“It’s been such a blessing. It’s free, and Merri is just so kind and wonderful. She’s become like a grandmother to him. She is the sweetest ever.”

For more information, email volunteer123@rsvpmc.org or call 610-834-1040, ext. 123.

Nonprofit RSVP connects volunteers to dozens of community service opportunities. Its programs improve the lives of vulnerable populations in the community by focusing on education and wellness. To learn more visit rsvpmc.org.

COURTESY OF RSVP