Make a difference.
BOOK BUDDIES & CLASSROOM BOOK BUDDIES
Book Buddies
Book Buddies matches adult volunteers to read one-to-one each week with a child in school who has been identified by the teacher as reading below grade level. Book Buddies takes place in schools during the day. The Book Buddies coordinator provides training and support to the volunteers throughout the year.
Classroom Book Buddies
Classroom Book Buddies is a program that gives adult volunteers the opportunity to read with groups of preschool and school aged children. Volunteers read aloud and talk about the stories with K and Pre-K children to give them a positive experience with books.
Math Buddies
Math Buddies helps elementary school children improve their math fluency and understand new concepts. Volunteers work with small groups of children or one-to-one during the school day. Math Buddies is currently available in a limited number of school.
Who do we serve?
Our volunteers help children in K through 5th grade in both Dutchess and Orange Counties. We’re in the Arlington, Beacon, Newburgh, Pawling, Pine Plains, Poughkeepsie, and Webutuck school districts.
Are the programs successful?
Principals and teachers enthusiastically ask for volunteers to return each year. More than 90% of students in the program improve their academic skills.
Who volunteers?
Our volunteers include working and retired adults, college students, and at-home parents. Volunteering just one hour per week can make a difference in a child’s life.
Why are these programs important?
It is critical for children to make the transition from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’ by 3rd grade. Math fluency at the elementary level provides children with a foundation for higher-level math skills.
Call us for additional information at (845) 452-8670 or apply here to become a Book Buddies, Classroom Book Buddies or Math Buddies volunteer.
