Reading Buddies

Reading Buddies Program

The Our Kids Read Reading Buddies Program connects caring volunteers with elementary school students for one-on-one virtual reading mentorship designed to build confidence, fluency, and a lifelong love of reading.

Through weekly sessions, volunteers help children practice reading aloud, improve comprehension, and discover the joy that comes from engaging with books.

Sometimes the most powerful intervention is simple: a caring adult sitting beside a child and saying, “Let’s read together.”

How the Program Works

Our Kids Read pairs trained volunteers with K–5 students in underserved communities for weekly virtual reading sessions

Each Reading Buddies cycle lasts six weeks, during which students meet with the same mentor once per week for 30 minutes.

There are two models of Reading Buddy sessions:

MODEL A: You will READ TO your assigned student from the OKR Kindle Library (for students who do not yet know how to read)

MODEL B: You will LISTEN AND ENCOURAGE as your student reads aloud (for students who are already able to read independently). In this second model, you will help students sound out unfamiliar words, always in a supportive and encouraging manner.

In both models, you will be expected to ask your student questions to help them build comprehension, encourage curiosity, build confidence and stimulate their imagination.

Sessions take place online, allowing volunteers from anywhere in the country to mentor students who need literacy support.

Building Home Libraries

Children develop a stronger relationship with reading when they have books of their own. Research consistently shows that the number of books in a home correlates strongly with higher reading scores and academic achievement.

Students participating in the Reading Buddies Program receive culturally affirming books that reflect diverse identities, cultures, and experiences. These books help children connect with reading while building pride in who they are.

Each participating child receives 20 free books to augment or begin building their personal home library they can continue to enjoy long after the program ends.

Program Impact

The Reading Buddies Program focuses on one of the most critical moments in a child’s development— learning to read during the early elementary years .

Early results from the program show:

Up to 20% improvement in reading fluency and proficiency
Increased confidence and engagement with reading
Strong relationships between children and caring mentors

Since launching the program, Our Kids Read volunteers have completed thousands of reading sessions and logged thousands of hours of mentorship with students nationwide.

Eligibility

The following are eligibility requirements for the Our Kids Read Reading Buddies Program.

For Adult Reading Buddies (and high school students seeking community service hours)

Volunteers must have:

A PC or Mac with a functioning camera and microphone
45 minutes once per week between 4:30 PM EST and 7:45 PM EST to read with a K–5 student
The ability to pass a criminal background screening
Willingness to complete the Reading Buddy training process
A positive, nurturing, and fun attitude

For Elementary School Participants

Students participating in the program must have:

A PC or Mac with a functioning camera and microphone
45 minutes once per week between 4:30 PM EST and 7:45 PM EST to meet with their Reading Buddy
Willingness to participate in a 30-minute onboarding session
Completion of the Reading Buddy program registration process

Become a Reading Buddy

Just 30 minutes a week can help change the trajectory of a child’s life.

By volunteering as a Reading Buddy, you can help a child build the skills, confidence, and joy that come from becoming a reader.

Because every child deserves someone who believes in them.

STEP 1

Complete the online Reading Buddy registration

STEP 2

Complete the online training

STEP 3

Participate in a 30-minute Zoom interview with an Our Kids Read staff member

STEP 4

Inform us of your calendar (the days and times that you are available to read with a student and let us know any languages other than English that you are able to speak)

STEP 5

Criminal background check

STEP 6

We match you with a student!