Reading Program A Success

Service for Peace opened a reading library in Marina Village Community Center in late February of this year. Since then, the library has grown enormously. Local organization, Daughters of Charity, donated from their basement $5000 worth of books; People’s Bank gave a donation; computers and more have also been given. Most significant of all, a reading program was set up to help the kids jumpstart their love for reading and learning.
Nine students from UB were the first reading mentors of this reading program. They are; Lauren Alston, Nathan Breland, Jennifer Calderon, Steve Chang, Nancy Komujuni, Kimikami Miyake, Eliana Olivas, Kaisha Sherrills, and Fiorella Tapia. They hopped on a minivan every Friday to read and interact with the children of Marina Village.
They wanted to be reading mentors for different reasons and visions. Some wanted to increase the alarming literacy rate in America; another remembered the joy of reading as a child; some hoped to give them a better chance of entering college. Although they were of different cultures, background and areas of study, they all felt they had an impact on the children.
“It was inspiring to see the children evolve in terms of their reading skills; it encouraged me to return to the program and the children to continue reading,” said Fiorella. “It is very important for the children to read because they can develop their imagination” said Jennifer. Lauren said “working with the children of Marina Village was great! Their persistence with reading was inspirational to me”.
Their imagination was definitely challenged and so were their knowledge of words. Every Friday started with one-on-one reading. Each mentor had a different approach to reading. Whether it was reading along, listening or reading to the children, it gave them a good feeling when opening a new book. After reading, they rewarded the children with games and activities. Tongue twisters, word jeopardy, book relay and a spelling bee were among the fun games, many of them led by our very own Kaisha.
“The mentoring service allowed me to encourage children to read and it allowed them to have someone to help them and for them to look up to,” said Eliana. Kimikami, a senior, reflected, “It was so sad on the last day when we had to say goodbye and possibly never see each other again after reading to them for the past six weeks. The child I mentored always wanted me to read and to help her. I regret I won’t be there to help her anymore”. Eliana again, “I took part in a great program and I encourage other students who want to give back to society and help children have a better future to join the mentoring program.” We are calling for dedicated mentors for the next semester starting the first week of October. Please talk to any of the reading mentors or call/visit the
Service for Peace office at the Student Center Rm 214B.
Phone: 203 576 4015
Email greenlabcoat@yahoo.com.