By Bronwyn Knox, Operations Manager for CAA Marketing & Digital Initiatives
I joined the Read Ahead a number of years ago and have returned year after year, happy to share my time and energy for this particular volunteer program. I like to read and loved the idea of inspiring kids to love books. This is a great way to give a little time; read with a child and talk about the stories with them; and listen to their thoughts and ideas. In the program, you are partnered with one specific child week after week, and you get the chance to get to know each other over the years.
I’ve been partnered with a few different kids as they’ve grown up or moved away, and one thing I’ve learned is that it’s not always about the reading. An important part of volunteering is knowing when a child just needs to talk. My current mentee loves to tell me about her dreams, the new toy she wants, and her plans for her next birthday party. She also loves to draw and sometimes we just spend the hour that way.
The Read Ahead program is well-organized and it’s a great way to spend my lunch hour. I volunteer one day a week. For other volunteers who aren’t available every week, they can alternate with another volunteer and attend every other week. The coordinators are able to work with the volunteer’s schedule. I highly recommend the program to anyone who loves to read and would enjoy working with kids.
