Volunteer Coordinator: Javier Morla, jmorla@dclearns.org, (202) 331-0141
Description of Volunteer Opportunities/Responsibilities:
D.C. LEARNs serves as a literacy volunteer clearninghouse for child, family, and adult literacy programs in Washington, D.C. We maintain a database of volunteer opportunities and interested individuals are encouraged to call our hotline at 1-866-732-3688.
In addition, D.C. LEARNs provides staff support for the Reach Out and Read of Metro D.C. Coalition. Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national program that promotes early literacy to parents in pediatric clinics. As part of this support, we recruit volunteers to read to children 0-5 at pediatric health centers in the Washington D.C. area that are using the Reach Out and Read model.
Number of Volunteers: unlimited; see below
Types of Volunteers Needed: Adult-individual; Adult-group
Training Requirements: Reach Out and Read volunteers are provided a two-hour orientation/training on the basic Reach Out and read model, as well as the basic of reading aloud to children 0-5.
All adult literacy volunteers, whether we recruit them or not, may attend any of our Core Skills workshops provided by our Adule Edcuation Professional Development Center.
All volunteers, depending on where we refer them, will likely be provided an orientation/training at the organization they are referred to. The process and time commitment varies from organization to organization.
Hours Needed: Weekday; Weekday Evening; Weekend Day; After School.
Easily Accessible by Public Transportation: Yes
Volunteer Center Affiliations: None
Ideas for a Team or Group Activity: Yes: (1) Web site assistance; (2) building or fixing up a reading corner at a waiting room at one of our Reach Out and Read sites; (3) helping at events; (4) book drives/delivering books
Suggestions for a Drive to Benefit this Organization: Book drives; possible computer collections
None currently.