The Reading Buddies Program  Reading Buddies is a free, award-winning reading enrichment program that pairs rising 1st-3rd graders with volunteers in 7th-12th grades. Buddies meet once a week to read together one-on-one, play literacy games, and do group activities. At the end of the term the Buddies, present a group project to their families. Reading Buddies sessions take place three times a year: Winter-Spring Term January-April Summer Term June-August; includes a Writing Buddies program for rising 4th-6th graders  Fall Term September-November Participants must reapply for each session. For specific dates and times of each session, see the Big Buddies or Little Buddies brochures.

Purpose
Reading Buddies gives kids, the Little Buddies, extra reading practice with a caring, creative teen mentor, the Big Buddies, in a fun, low-stress environment.

Program Materials: Big Buddies - Rising 7th-12th Graders
Big Buddy volunteers develop leadership experience, increase problem-solving and communication skills, and gain responsibility while serving their community and making a difference in children's lives. Big Buddies can volunteer at the library or in our outreach program at Sanchez Elementary. Read the Big Buddies Summer 2013 Brochure, then pick up an application at the library or apply online. Application deadline: May 15.

Please note: Our program is not a tutoring service. Teen volunteers are neither trained nor expected to correct learning problems or to teach children to read.

Program Materials: Little Buddies - Rising 1st-3rd Graders
Parents can read the most recent brochure for prospective Little Buddies, and read the Spanish brochure for Little Buddies.
Fill out a Little Buddies application today; applications are due May 22. A Little Buddies Spanish application is also available.

Program Materials: Writing Buddies - Rising 4th-6th Graders
In our summer-only Writing Buddies program, the Little Buddies work with high school Big Buddies who lead them through a series of creative writing activities in several genres. The Little Buddies will not necessarily work with the same mentor each week.  Read the Writing Buddies Summer 2013 Brochure, then pick up an application at the library or apply online.

Contact Information
Please contact Sarah, the program coordinator, at 303-661-1180 or by email.