Seniors And Students: A Winning Combination

A year away from retirement, Marjorie Grant was already thinking about what she wanted to do when she closed the work chapter of her life. When she spotted an opportunity to help elementary school children improve their reading skills, she knew what her next chapter would be. A year later, retired with energy, Grant became a Reading Partner.

“It’s so rewarding,” says Grant, who is now in her third year of volunteering for the program. “It’s amazing to see how first graders who are searching for words in the fall can read smoothly by the close of the school year.”

Grant helps students at the Lafayette School in Everett two days a week. As a Reading Partner, she volunteers her time to make a difference in the lives of children. The program, a part of RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and sponsored by Mystic Valley Elder Services, pairs seniors with kindergarten through third grade students. Selected by their regular teachers for the program, students may have English as their second language or may simply benefit from the individualized attention that the volunteers provide.

“It’s important for some students to have one-on-one help,” says Grant. “They don’t have to worry about the peer pressure that a group setting can produce.”

Gillian Chatfield, the RSVP Director at Mystic Valley Elder Services, says that the volunteers’ efforts instill enthusiasm for reading in students. “The half-hour session each student has is a safe place for students…it’s an opportunity to enjoy reading.”

And, not just the students benefit. Mary Kiernan, a volunteer for two years, calls her involvement “play time.” The retired secretary enjoys talking with the young students and wishes she could help more. “It’s fun… I love reading!” she says.

Grant and Kiernan both indicate how helpful the teachers are. Unfortunately, local schools have more children who could benefit from the program than the program has volunteers to accommodate.

“We will start new volunteer training in early March,” said Chatfield. “We would really like to offer more students the opportunity for reading help—but we need more volunteers!”

Reading Partners volunteers are asked to commit four hours per week throughout the school year. Each volunteer typically helps four students twice every week. All volunteers are trained and supported by Chatfield and Mystic Valley Elder Services.

“Reading ability is so important in today’s world,” said Chatfield. “A Reading Partners volunteer can play an important role in a student’s reading development.”

To learn more about becoming a Reading Partner, or other Mystic Valley Elder Services volunteer opportunities, contact Gillian Chatfield of Mystic Valley Elder Services at 781-324-7705 ext. 174.