When school is not in session, Leacock is there to provide extra support to struggling young readers, writers and mathematicians. All three of our Triangle of Hope TDSB partner schools continue to run various successful literacy-based programs for students. We count on volunteer support to work alongside certified teachers encouraging, inspiring and supporting the children to develop basic skills, learn English and learn to love learning. Leacock is currently servicing approximately 175 children in these programs at Derrydown P.S., Rose Avenue P.S. and-Woburn Junior P.S.
YPL member, Julia Burke shares about her volunteer experience at Rose Avenue’s Reading Club:
The after school reading program with The Leacock Foundation is a win-win situation for everyone! I am so happy and so grateful to be a part of it. These wonderful kids, many of whom are new to Canada, are able to get invaluable one-on-one tutoring that busy teachers and on-the-go parents can’t always provide. As a volunteer, I feel a great deal of satisfaction knowing I am making a difference in their lives. When I arrive at Rose Avenue Public School each Wednesday afternoon, the looks on the students’ faces say it all. They are excited to be there. They want to pick up that book and go on an adventure with each page turn. I can sense in them a great deal of pride at showing me how good they are at reading a particular book. I can also see in their expressions that feeling of satisfaction after learning a hard word or getting through a challenging sentence. We tutors have an amazing opportunity to help these kids learn to read. Reading is the key to learning and if we volunteers, in some small way, can help the students get further ahead in their literary development, we can help them realize their potential. That’s a gift for them and for us!