Volunteer

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT LITERACY IN ORANGE COUNTY?

As a volunteer you can make a huge difference in the life of a child. The Early Literacy Program (ELP) always seeks volunteers to:

  • Read to children at special events and Reach Out and Read clinics.
  • Collect or donate gently used books.
  • Rehabilitate books for distribution to children.
  • Organize book drives.


Anyone can help us collect new and used books. If you are interested in donating your time or if you have books you would like to donate, please contact us using the information at the bottom of this page.

If you are interesting in reading to children, you should know that this rewarding experience requires a rigorous screening process that will probably take 4-6 weeks from the time you first contact us. We do this to ensure that we provide readers to children who are both healthy and safe. Read on for more information!

The Process

Once you are a Reading Volunteer, you will receive training on best practices designed to help you promote early literacy and language development with children and families. We try to place volunteers within a short driving distance from their work or home and reading schedules are flexible.

The Screening Process includes the following steps:

  • Step One: An initial application form. CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT AN ONLINE VERSION.
  • Step Two: Complete a Reader Interview.
  • Step Three: Complete a TB and fingerprint check. Our Volunteer Coordinator will help schedule these appointments for you at a local screening facility. This step typically takes 2-4 weeks to complete.
  • Step Four: Complete a Reader Training

Thank you in advance for your interest in volunteering!

Benefits to volunteering

  • Giving back to the community.
  • Earn volunteer hours for school.
  • Opportunity to build resume.
  • Gain valuable experience if interested in the education or medical field.
  • Personal fulfillment and reward.
  • Meet new people.

 

The Clatterbuck family and their story of how they give back to the community!

On May 1, 2010 the Early Literacy Program received a generous donation of over 140 new books from the Clatterbuck family in Huntington Beach, CA. The Clatterbuck's contacted ELP about their plans for their children's 4th and 5th birthday party, where they would have guests bring books to be donated instead of gifts for their children. Mrs. Clatterbuck said, "My kids don't need a hundred presents, they have all they need. We want to teach them the importance of giving back to the community." ELP thanks the Clatterbuck family for their support and generosity!