South Sound People: Reading Buddies make difference in kids’ lives

Cindy Williams is a Reading Buddy volunteer at Garfield Elementary School.

Motivated by her experience working with kids in her job at Echo Glen juvenile detention center, she knows the importance reading plays in a successful life.

“Having basic reading skills is a make or break situation with kids”, Cindy says.

She first heard about the Reading Buddy program from her church newsletter, and has been volunteering ever since. What she enjoys most about being a Reading Buddy is connecting with, and being a mentor to, each child. She likes seeing the improvements in their scores and their growing excitement toward learning.

She also likes how the one-on-one model provides unique chances for learning. At the end of the school year Cindy even buys each of her students a special book that fits their interests.

One of her favorite moments so far has been bonding with a second-grade girl who returned in the fall to tell Cindy how much she loved reading her book over summer vacation.

Thank you, Cindy for being such a great volunteer and sharing your love of reading.

Do you know a community member or organization who has recently done, or is doing something to improve our community, or has accomplished a goal worth sharing? Email Tammy McGee, at tmcgee@theolympian.com and tell us about it. Be sure to add ‘South Sound People’ to your subject line. We would love to add a photo with the photographer’s credit. Call 360-754-5447 for information about South Sound People.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 5:58 AM with the headline "South Sound People: Reading Buddies make difference in kids’ lives."