Volunteers
for Literacy
FROM PUBLISHING
TRENDS (SEPTEMBER 2003)
International
Literacy Day is September 8, 2003, and herewith is PT’s
occasional directory of volunteer opportunities in the
world of reading and writing. For a relatively comprehensive
directory of literacy organizations, searchable by zip
code, check out www.literacydirectory.org.
New York Public Library Center for Reading and Writing:
Volunteers tutor a small group of Basic Literacy/ESOL
students from the literacy program’s waiting list for
at least nine months. Time commitment is two hours,
two times a week. Call Maura Muller, Volunteer Coordinator,
(212) 930-0502. Donations may be made via the library’s
website at www.nypl.org.
ProLiteracy
Worldwide: Training takes 15-20 hours and tutors
meet with students for one and a half to two hours per
week. See www.proliteracy.org
or call (315) 422-9121. The local NYC branch is Literacy
Partners, where tutors work twice weekly with 10-16
students and a co-tutor in a learning center. See www.literacypartners.org
or contact Susan McLean at susanm@literacypartners.org,
or call (212) 725-9200 ext. 120.
Learning
Leaders: Recruits, trains, and supports volunteers
for one-on-one and small group instructional support
to New York City public school students. Check out www.learningleaders.org,
email Heatherw@learningleaders.org, or call (212) 213-3370.
International
Center: A non-profit, privately funded language
center for foreign-born newcomers to NYC. Volunteers
teach English and American culture and, in the process,
learn about other cultures. See www.intlcenter.org
or contact volunteer director Mary Beth Holman at mholman@intlcenter.org.
Literacy
Assistance Center: A not-for-profit organization
that provides essential referral, training, information,
and technical assistance services to hundreds of adult
and youth literacy programs in New York. Contact Dianne
Powell at (212) 803-3335 or diannep@lacnyc.org.
The website at www.lacnyc.org
includes links to many major literacy organizations.
Reach
Out and Read (ROR): A national pediatric early literacy
program introducing children as young as six months
of age to the world of books through the efforts of
pediatricians, educators, and volunteer readers. Call
Trish Magee at (212) 242-5339 or email trish.magee@reachoutandreadnyc.org.
California
Literacy: The nation’s oldest and largest statewide
adult volunteer literacy organization. Call (800) 894-READ
or contact Matthew Scelza, (626) 395-9989 ext. 20 or
email matthewscelza@caliteracy.org.
Literacy
Connections: Volunteer opportunities are posted
at www.literacyconnections.com,
a portal for reading, teaching and tutoring techniques,
ESL literacy, and adult literacy.
International
Literacy Day: On September 8, the International
Reading Association co-sponsors its annual literacy
celebration in Washington, DC. The topic is “Literacy
and Gender,” focusing on equal access for girls and
boys to knowledge that prepares youth for leadership.
The program takes place at the Bangladesh Embassy, 3510
International Drive NW, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. Contact
Jose Palacios at (202) 624-8459 or e-mail jpalacios@reading.org.
For more on the International Reading Association,
a professional group active in 99 countries that promotes
high levels of literacy, visit www.reading.org.
©2003
Publishing Trends
