Become a Book Buddy by Avery Johnson, Jubilee Park & Community Center
By Avery Johnson, Jubilee Park & Community Center
You might remember growing up reading The Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, The Velveteen Rabbit, and other classic books filled with imaginary characters and places. Maybe you’ve even passed on the tradition and love of reading to your kids or grandkids and noticed that, while books themselves are amazing, part of what makes reading aloud so magical is not the book itself, but the company you share it with.
This fall, Jubilee Park & Community Center is excited to offer a wonderful service opportunity for you to become a “Book Buddy” and share the magic of reading with children in grades K–5 at three Southeast Dallas sites: Jubilee Park & Community Center, Oran M. Roberts Elementary, and Mount Auburn Elementary.
In the early days of Jubilee Park’s founding through Saint Michael, Jeanie Laube, the woman behind Jeanie’s Place (the Early Head Start School partner at Jubilee Park), started a “Saturday School” program where high school students would read to younger children from Jubilee Park’s 62-block neighborhood. The reading and tutoring sessions began in two Habitat houses on site and later extended to the local elementary school, Oran M. Roberts. As the program flourished, it expanded to include parishioners from Saint Michael, who were eager to contribute to the community.
In talking with Jeanie about reviving a dedicated reading program at Jubilee Park, she explained the importance of this opportunity: “Reading is such an essential part of education. If you can’t read, you can’t do math; you can’t do foreign languages; you can’t do history… All of our young people need to be able to read… Our volunteers are critical in helping raise the next generation of Americans.”
Karen Medina, Jubilee Park’s Director of Out of School Time Programs, is leading the program launch and shared that, “No matter what grade level or reading level our students are at, they will be getting that one-on-one interaction and positive encouragement for reading through the Book Buddies program. We want to make sure we’re cultivating a positive aspiration for reading—not just in school, but outside of it, too.” Beyond practicing and improving reading skills, there is incredible value in children engaging with caring adults—research has shown that just one safe relationship can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Now coming full circle, Jubilee Park is looking back to you, our neighbors, community members, and fellow changemakers, to bridge the achievement gap by helping our students foster a love for reading and learning through the revamped Book Buddy program. Through this opportunity, you’ll be creating lasting memories and inspiring a new generation of readers.
Interested in Becoming a Book Buddy?
To sign up, please contact the Mission & Outreach Team by emailing Robin Hinkle at [email protected] and Morgan Milan at [email protected].The Book Buddies program is a minimum commitment of one semester, with opportunities for tutoring at each of Jubilee’s three afterschool sites (Jubilee Park & Community Center, Oran M. Roberts Elementary, and Mount Auburn Elementary). Volunteers will be paired with the same child for the entire semester to read for 30 minutes, one day per week, and designated slots will be set Monday through Thursday between 4:30 – 5 p.m. or 5 – 5:30 p.m.
Volunteers should plan for four hours of in-person orientation to be scheduled in early September with the Jubilee team, as well as a required background check and child safety training. The first day of Book Buddies will kick off on Monday, September 16!
Will you join us this fall and continue the legacy of magical moments and shared stories that began so many years ago for children in Jubilee Park? Become a Book Buddy and make a lasting difference in a child’s life!
**This article was written by Avery Johnson, Jubilee Park & Community Center, and was featured in the 2024 Fall Archangel.