Congressional Research Employees Association

Would you be interested in becoming a “Reading Mentor” for one hour, one day a week? CREA and the Library of Congress Professional Association (LCPA) are launching a new initiative to place LC volunteers in a nearby school for lunchtime reading. We are working with the non-profit organization Everybody Wins!, who sponsor a Power Lunch program that pairs students with Reading Mentors. The Reading Mentors read with students in first through fifth grades during their lunch times once a week. The program is “based on the belief that the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.”

The program would begin in late September or early October and run throughout the school year with expectations of regular attendance once a week. Participants will need to use personal leave or flex time; no official time will be granted by the Library. The reading sessions generally last about an hour and travel time to and from the school can take up to half an hour.

We are currently trying to get a sense of how many of you would be interested in participating. Please e-mail CREA if you would like to volunteer or if you have questions. We will have an informational session in late June or July with Everybody Wins! staff to get additional details.