Lawyers for Literacy: Gifting Children a Better Future, One Book at a Time
Did you know . . . ?
“85% of juveniles in the criminal system have below-average reading skills.” – U.S. Department of Education
Children “do better academically when they read more . . . and have greater access to books and other reading materials in their environment.” – National Center for Education Studies
“For 85% to 90% of poor readers, prevention and intervention programs implemented before third grade can increase a child’s reading skills to the average grade levels. However, if intervention is delayed until 9 years of age, approximately 75% of children will continue to have difficulties learning to read throughout high school and their adult years.” – Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research
Research has shown that 96% of students who read on grade level by the end of third grade will likely graduate high school on time. If you would like to positively engage with some of North Carolina’s youngest residents, then join the NC Bar Foundation’s Lawyers for Literacy Program as a reading volunteer.
What is Lawyers for Literacy?
It is a public service program that matches legal professionals with local school children to improve students’ reading skills and spark their interest in books, civics and history.
What exactly does a Reading Volunteer do?
Lawyers for Literacy volunteers spend at least 30 minutes a week reading to a small group of students over a month’s time during the month of January 2020 to June 2020. Volunteers may be subject to a criminal records background check.
Where and When does a reading volunteer read?
The Foundation has several existing groups across the state undertaking this work: Brunswick County, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, Goldsboro, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up today.
What if I do not see a school in my area?
If you do not see a school in your area, the Foundation encourages you to become a Program Coordinator in your area by contacting Paul Vaughn at [email protected]. Ann David is the Program Coordinator in New Hanover County and would like to start the program in Pender, Duplin, or Columbus. If you are interested in assisting in one of those counties, feel free to contact Ann David at [email protected], after signing up with Paul Vaughn first.
What is a Program Coordinator?
A program coordinator is a volunteer willing to coordinate with the Bar Foundation, principals of participating schools and reading volunteers to pair volunteers with schools and organize materials. For the schools that are not already participating in the program, the program coordinator is responsible for coordinating meetings with the Superintendent of the Schools for the County or City to solicit participation.
Can law students participate?
Sure, the more the merrier! Elon Law has set up its participation this year.