Reading With Kids At Duranes Elementary

When the Co-op opened its second location in the Valley, nearby Duranes Elementary School was one of the schools we partnered with. Parents expressed a desire to have Co-op member/volunteers link up with the after-school “Latchkey Program.”

Joan Robbins was one of the Co-op member/volunteers who heeded the call, and working with the coordinators of the Latchkey Program, set up a reading project with first, second and third graders.

As Joan describes it, “After the first time when there were about six kids crawling all over the tables we worked out a plan to have one child at a time come to the library and pick out a book they wanted to read. I listen to them read and help them when they need it. There are about 10-15 regulars.

“I really like this. I think being able to read is the most important thing in getting a good start in life. This way the kids don’t think of reading as a chore. I hope they get the idea that reading is fun, and, they get some personal attention. It’s exciting to see the improvement in the kids’ reading.”

Joan, a social worker and Co-op member since 1991, looks at her after-school reading program “as a good way to give back to the community I’m in. It’s much more rewarding than my job — and it’s just a bonus to get the 18% member/volunteer discount at the Co-op.”

Joan has been reading throughout the summer with the Summer Recreational program and hopes that more member/volunteers will join her at Duranes this fall.

“I really want to encourage other people who are thinking about volunteering to come to Duranes. They are very open to any kind of help; either designing your own program or helping teachers in the classroom. I’d like to see someone there every day of the week.”

It’s easy to get involved in this great program. The Co-op is looking for reading (or whatever) volunteers for Alvarado, Bandelier, Cochiti, and Duranes Elementary schools this fall. In addition to the satisfaction you’ll get from helping, Co-op member/volunteers receive an 18% dis-count at the Co-op for every three hours volunteered in the school partner project.