The RSVP Center of Essex County is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2018-2019 Reading Buddies program which connects volunteers age 55+ with elementary school students in Essex County, New Jersey.

Reading Buddies seeks to introduce the love of books and increase the literacy of young children. Early literacy is linked with academic achievement, higher graduation rates and enhanced productivity in adult life.

The program has shown to be very effective in helping to increase literacy, reading comprehension and understanding in children ages K-2.

Reading Buddies schedules volunteers to spend one hour per week reading books to elementary school students at the Washington Elementary School and Mount Pleasant School in West Orange, the Lincoln Avenue School in Orange and the South Mountain Annex in South Orange/Maplewood. Reading Buddies is continuing to expand its list of participating schools.

If you are interested in learning more about participating in Reading Buddies as a volunteer or school, please contact Julie Cramer at 973-765-9050 ext.1761 or [email protected].