WCGMF-Discovery | Meriden Parents Work with Seniors to Help Kids with Reading

	This story was submitted by [1] Meriden.

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We all know there are not enough resources to help students these days, but many of us just shake our heads and wish that things were different. Not Meriden parents Cathy Lewis and Donna Mordarski. Cathy Lewis was frustrated because her niece, who was having reading problems, was on a waiting list to get extra help in school. Help did not come quickly enough, though, and her niece was held back a grade. Rather than dwell on the lack of services, Cathy, a Meriden Parent Leadership Training Institute graduate, and Donna Mordarski decided to do something to help children who were struggling with reading.

I found there's something in life besides getting old. I found it rewarding and there's a need for a grandparent [role model]. Senior Buddy Reader Volunteer

Having retired as a 3rd grade teacher ... it was very fulfilling to use my experience to help my students improve their reading skills. Senior Buddy Reader Volunteer

While attending a budget meeting organized by Meriden Children First at the local Senior Center, Cathy talked with an active senior who she saw as a “wealth of information.” “I realized that seniors have so much to offer and the time to share their talents and experiences, but we just don't engage them,” recalled Cathy. Less than a year later, Cathy and Donna launched the Senior Buddy Readers Program.

The program began at Meriden's Benjamin Franklin Elementary School with seven volunteers. Volunteers are paired with 1st and 2nd graders who are in need of additional reading help, as identified by their teacher. The volunteers receive training on how to use the strategies employed in the schools to help the children improve their reading skills. Then, they begin meeting with their assigned student each week.

Making It Happen

To build their volunteer base, Cathy and Donna went to the Max Muravnick Senior Center, the AARP, and other groups. Volunteers also began recruiting their friends. Each year they increased their volunteer base and added schools. “We had nothing and we went with it,” remembers Cathy. “The schools were great. They let us use their copiers and paper. The The Meriden Record-Journal journalists wrote articles and played a major role in increasing our visibility and helping us to recruit new volunteers.”

Now, four years later, the Senior Buddy Reader's Program is operating in six of Meriden's public elementary schools. Thanks to their relationship with Meriden Children First, the program has forged alliances with Meriden Health and Human Services, the Board of Education, the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and the United Way of Meriden and Wallingford. The United Way has helped with recruiting efforts and funds were raised through local business sponsorships and foundation grants. With this support, they were able to design a new logo last year to increase recognition of the program. Meriden Children First is proud of their involvement with the Senior Buddy Readers program. Executive Director David Radcliffe says of the program, “Buddy Readers is a win-win-win: for the children, for the senior buddies, and for our schools. It's an amazing program, and the sort of investment in early learning that helps kids have a successful school experience."

Overcoming Obstacles

This amazing success did not come without obstacles. Cathy and Donna had to work with the volunteers to help them overcome their concerns about coming into the schools and their negative views of children in the Meriden schools due to stereotyping. Cathy and Donna learned to take their young children with them when presenting to potential volunteers which helped them to see an example of the kind of children they would be helping. Once they were involved with the program, volunteers no longer needed to be convinced. As one volunteer commented, “These kids are great! They are polite, enthusiastic…I just had fun and gained a better appreciation of the quality of Meriden schools.”

I believe it [the Senior Buddy Readers program] gives not only academic learning but an opportunity to be with a person who has life experience to share. I know my students look forward to reading with their buddy and want to show reading improvement. Meriden Public Schools 2nd grade teacher

Scheduling was also a challenge. Many of the senior volunteers go to Florida in the winter and teachers initially felt that the program might take away from important class time. Therefore, Cathy and Donna worked with the school principals and teachers when scheduling the program in each school so that it would fit into the schedule.

Additionally, there is the tremendous effort involved in administering the program in six schools. Cathy and Donna greet volunteers at the schools every week and provide identification tags, stickers for the students and "Buddy Bags" with books. They make sure volunteers have a space to meet with their student and observe while the volunteers work with the children to ensure that all goes well.

Then there are the book drives, the grant writing, and the fundraisers. Cathy and Donna also collect cell phones and ink cartridges to raise money for the program. An annual fundraising sponsorship campaign is held in the fall with local businesses and PTO groups.

When the program started, volunteers were told to encourage the children to practice at home. It was discovered that many of the children did not have books at home, so Cathy and Donna started a "Books on Wheels" mobile lending library program that utilizes new and donated books. The students also receive a new book to take home three times during the year; at the beginning of the program, at Christmas and at the end of the program. Thanks to donations from Books to Dreams, students have also received a stuffed animal to read to at home for the past two years.

The High Schools and Middle Schools organize book drives and books that cannot be used are donated to other programs. The Friends of the Library also donate books to the program and gift certificates to the senior volunteers. These agencies have learned to help each other and leverage their resources.

I think the Senior Buddy Readers program is a wonderful opportunity for the children to read to adults, especially if they aren't given that opportunity at home. The children are choosing more challenging books to read. They want to impress their senior buddy with their abilities. Meriden Public Schools 2nd grade teacher

Next Steps and How You Can Help

A couple of senior volunteers have begun taking on some of the coordination, helping to support the two volunteer leaders. Looking forward, Cathy and Donna hope to find funding over time for paid positions. For the program to expand and be sustained, a funded position is really needed.

If you would like to help support this program with a cash donation or by collecting ink cartridges or cell phones, please contact David Radcliffe ([3] dwradcliffe@juno.com) at Meriden Children First.

[[4] Go to the Meriden page]

[1]: http://discovery.wcgmf.org/community_1019.html
[2]: http://www.wcgmf.org/pdf/story_pdf_15.pdf
[3]: mailto:dwradcliffe@juno.com
[4]: http://discovery.wcgmf.org/community_1019.html