San Diego Oasis’ Intergenerational Tutoring Program celebrates ‘Read Across America’ with book drive

Local nonprofit San Diego Oasis is taking its love for literacy to new heights this year as it embarks on its quest to reach a goal of 20,000 new book donations by the end of 2023.

To commemorate National Read Across America Day and support this goal, San Diego Oasis and its Intergenerational Tutoring Program encourages the community to donate new books at its Grossmont Center location at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive through March 31.

“San Diego Oasis has always had a love for literacy,” says Kristen Amicone, director of Intergenerational Programs, San Diego Oasis. “In addition to helping children enhance their confidence in reading and writing through our Intergenerational Tutoring Program, every year we set a goal to collect hundreds of new books to not only encourage students to read, but also build a passion for reading that will last a lifetime.”

San Diego Oasis supports older adults and children through its tutoring program

The nonprofit’s Intergenerational Tutoring Program helps students build reading skills, self-esteem and positive attitudes toward learning.

Senior volunteers ages 50 and up are matched to neighborhood schools to help children grades K-4 enhance their reading and writing skills. Volunteer tutors are provided free training and materials, and no teaching experience is required. This program not only helps children develop a passion for reading, but also gives the senior volunteers an opportunity to put their life skills to work for a younger generation, as well as stay active and engaged through community service.

Since 1991, San Diego Oasis has supported hundreds of local schools in more than 12 school districts through its Intergenerational Tutoring Program, including San Diego Unified, Escondido, Temecula, Chula Vista, Bonsall, Encinitas, Ramona, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Cajon Valley, and La Mesa/Spring Valley. Currently, the program has more than 250 volunteer tutors, supporting 58 schools throughout San Diego County.

Studies show that 61% of America’s low-income children are growing up in homes without books. In addition, the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) concluded that students are experiencing the largest decline ever seen in the 50 years that national testing has been in place, and reading scores dropped six points for 9-year-old students across the board, with students from low-income backgrounds taking an even bigger hit. To rectify this decline, schools are taking necessary steps to increase reading scores, and San Diego Oasis’ Intergenerational Tutoring Program is a part of the solution for local students. Furthermore, the program’s impact has reflected positively in improved test scores in reading and math, and overall academic performance.

“It’s nothing but positive experiences and precious moments as a volunteer tutor in San Diego Oasis’ Intergenerational Tutoring Program,” said Barbara Bekken. “The students I’ve had the opportunity to teach were all reluctant readers, and are now proactive performers in reading and writing. It’s a joy to see a student fall in love with books and feel inspired to write their own stories. One student in particular wrote and illustrated her own book, and had the confidence to proudly read it to her class.”

For more information on San Diego Oasis, visit sandiegooasis.org.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor in the nonprofit’s Intergenerational Tutoring Program, visit San Diego Oasis’ website for details on upcoming tutor training sessions in March.

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