The Club seeks reading buddy volunteers

DAYTON—Children who are proficient and passionate readers by third grade are five times more likely to be college or career ready. The Innovia Foundation in Spokane, WA began a program in 2013 in Coeur d’Alene called Opening Books, Opening Doors to ensure young readers in that area had books to read and someone to read with, so all students are reading at grade level by third grade.

Recently, Innovia contacted The Club, in Dayton, WA to see if they would like to participate in the Opening Books, Opening Doors early reading project. The Club is partnering with Dayton School District and Columbia County Rural Library District with a common goal: by 2022, all students within the Dayton School District exiting the third grade will meet grade level reading goals. 

The Club, the school district, and the library all have a set of recommended books. The Club has immediate plans to match up students with volunteer reading buddies who can make at least a one-hour commitment each week. Students who attend the Club’s after school program have been recommended by their teachers in grades K-3 as being in need of reading assistance.

Research has shown that 75 percent of students who struggle with reading in the third grade never catch up. Those students are four times as likely to drop out of school.

Volunteers or ‘Book Buddies’ are needed to read one-on-one with the same child each week to maintain consistency and promote positive relationships.    

Generous project funders made it possible for The Club to purchase a set of books. It is their goal to have books placed in Dayton locations where children frequent. Reading proficiency by third grade is an important predictor of high school graduation and future career success. 

If anyone is interested in making a difference in a child’s life, they can pick up an application at HomeStreet Bank at 427 E Main St. in Dayton, at The Club at 528 W. Cameron St. in Dayton, or they can apply online at theclubdayton.org.  Book Buddies will be required to complete an application and pass a background check.