RSVP awarded grant to support youth literacy programs

UPPER MERION » RSVP, headquartered at 901 East 8th Avenue, King of Prussia announced the receipt of a $3,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for support of their innovative virtual learning volunteer-based educational programs targeting disadvantaged and at-risk students and youth.

Michele Moll, RSVP’s Executive Director reports “This grant will allow us to continue to positively impact the lives of local students who have been negatively impacted because of the challenges of learning during COVID. We are grateful for their support which enables us to expand our enhanced critical impact programs.”

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been proud to invest in literacy and education programs in the communities we call home for nearly 30 years,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and vice president of corporate social responsibility at Dollar General. “As the educational landscape continues to shift, our hope is that these funds will help increase access and resources for students, educators and communities dedicated to reading and learning.”

RSVP’s Virtual Reading program matches volunteer reading coaches with K-6th grade students to practice reading and comprehension skills. Students gain confidence by practicing with a volunteer and become more self-assured readers. A summer reading program in partnership with United

Way of Greater Philadelphia and Vello, helped to lessen the summer slide students often deal with. The Family Literacy program helps disadvantaged Head Start preschoolers and their families acquire the reading tools and incentives they need to succeed. Volunteers read online to students to create a joy for reading, helping students prepare to enter Kindergarten as ready learners. Newsletters with reading tips are sent home to encourage families to read to their children at home. RSVP’s Youth Mentoring program matches atrisk students with caring mentors who meet online to discuss topics such as conflict resolution, goal setting and diversity issues.

RSVP is always seeking new volunteers to support impact programs focused on important community needs such as helping veterans, the elderly, disadvantaged preschool children and at-risk youth as well as by providing support to other nonprofits. The public is invited to learn about current needs in local communities by visiting www.rsvpmc.org or by calling (610) 834-1040, ext. 123.

— Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and vice president of corporate social responsibility at Dollar General

FILE PHOTO RSVP volunteer Linda Belinsky works with a group of students to practice reading.