Reading Buddies Program Unites Kids, Seniors In The Oranges – West Orange, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A program that unites senior citizens with elementary school students as “Reading Buddies” is flourishing in Essex County, its organizers say.

The RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties recently announced the expansion of its Reading Buddies program, which connects volunteers aged 55 and up with elementary school students in West Orange, South Orange and Orange.

Tim Beaumont, principal at Redwood Elementary School in West Orange, said the school is delighted to take part in the program for the 2019-2020 school year.

“Student literacy is at the heart of all we do at Redwood, and the Reading Buddies program will augment the existing work we do in this area,” Beaumont said.

According to Beaumont, once a week, trained volunteers will work with students in the school’s three youngest grade levels to deepen their enthusiasm for reading.

“We’re looking forward to building on the existing success of this program at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School,” Beaumont said.

RSVP program manager Julie Cramer said that Reading Buddies has shown to be effective when it comes to increasing literacy, reading comprehension and vocabulary in children grades K-2.

“The older adults read to the children every week throughout the school year, forming a warm relationship based on the love of reading,” Cramer said.

Reading Buddies is actively seeking volunteers interested in spending one hour per week reading books to elementary school students at locations in West Orange, South Orange or Orange. If you are 55 or older and interested in learning more about becoming a Reading Buddies volunteer, contact Julie Cramer 973-637-1761, or jcramer@jfsmetrowest.org.

The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Center for Essex and Hudson Counties is sponsored by Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ. It is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service as part of Senior Corps.

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