January 18, 2006

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Palo Alto Online

Say 'yes' to reading

by Rachel Hill

Belle Haven Elementary School fifth-grader Juan Gonzalez approached a shelf filled with children's books last week and selected one from his favorite collection, the Berenstain Bears . Two-and-a-half years ago Juan didn't enjoy reading, but with the help of a tutor from the nonprofit YES Reading, Juan's literacy skills have vastly improved.

Since entering the program, Juan has started taking pleasure in reading new books and learning more than before. Juan's mother, Virginia Gonzalez, said her son has increased his reading pace and comprehension and feels more secure about his skills. He also performs better in the classroom, which makes him enjoy school more. Juan's progress in the reading program has given him "the ability to increase his mind," Virginia said. Though his tenure with YES Reading, Juan -- whose family's primary language is not English -- has started thinking about educational opportunities in the future. "Before I didn't read a lot, but now I want to read more new things and go to a higher level and go to college," Juan said. "That's what I'm going to do." YES Reading, a Menlo Park-based nonprofit that was founded in 1999, targets elementary- and middle-school children whose reading abilities fall below grade level. Classroom teachers recommend at-risk students to the program for one-on-one training with a volunteer each week. Trained tutors read with students, play vocabulary games and use word puzzles to build upon the children's literacy skills. A student's time in the program depends on his or her individual needs and progress, with many staying for one to three years. With 150 volunteers, the organization provides tutoring for around 200 students program-wide, Executive Director Sarah Almy said. The nonprofit currently serves schools in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. The Belle Haven school site, part of the Ravenswood City School District, currently mentors 65 students and hopes to increase by 15 pupils by the end of the year. As a nonprofit organization, YES Reading's intent is "to empower students through literacy and investing community members in underserved public schools," according to the group's Web site. This past year, the program has been supported in part through a $7,500 grant from the Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund. Almy said many students view their time at the reading center as a privilege rather than extra work or a punishment and enjoy working with their instructors. "For a lot of our kids, the intervention goes beyond reading support. It really gives them a lot of self-confidence and makes them feel special to have this person who's giving them their undivided attention twice a week," Almy said. Fifth-grader Jessica Godinez has advanced her vocabulary and reading abilities during her time with YES Reading. The Belle Haven student has been involved with the program for three years and attends the program twice a week for 45 minutes per session. Jessica said she now feels comfortable reading in front of her peers because she makes fewer mistakes than before, eradicating the embarrassment she once felt. Jessica's mother, Mirna Godinez, said a program like this is "important because reading is the main fundamental thing in our lives, which can open a lot of doors" for students in the future. The program not only leaves a mark on its students but provides inspiration for volunteers as well. In the interim of learning, teachers and students foster a unique relationship that allows both to grow personally. Pratima Arora got involved with YES Reading through a book drive and has tutored three students. Seven months ago Arora began working with a second grader who was two to three grade levels behind in reading. "She wasn't even at grade level one when she started, and now she is really coming up to speed, and I'm sure she will be out of the program in a year," Arora said. "During Christmas I got a picture painted by (the student) I was tutoring, and it was very touching," Arora said. "It's one hour in my week that I truly do something that makes a difference in someone's life." Tutor Andrea Pierceall has mentored about 10 students in the two years she has volunteered. A former teacher, Pierceall recognizes the significant opportunities the program presents for at-risk students. For children who don't have someone at home who speaks English, receiving an hour of coaching from an English-speaking adult is an incredible experience, Pierceall said. Quite often, she gets to see "the little light bulb go off" in students' minds, she said. Although she doesn't get paid for the six hours a week she tutors, Pierceall said she personally benefits from the time. "I get a lot more out of it than I give, and it gives me a wonderful contact with children," Pierceall said. "I see them learn, care about themselves more and mature. We laugh and have fun, so I get all the joy of teaching, and it also allows me to be creative." YES Reading is recruiting new volunteers so more students can participate in the program, Almy said. In late September, the organization opened its newest on-campus site in downtown San Jose at the Horace Mann Elementary School and is seeking to expand into neighboring communities that have a high number of at-risk students. For information on the YES Reading program, visit www.yesreading.org. Editorial Intern Rachel Hill can be reached at rhill@paweekly.com.

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