JEWISH TIDEWATER
Be A Reader program enters 22nd year prepared to help students Robin Ford
A
s another potentially challenging school year is about to start, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Be a Reader (BeAR) program is gearing up for 2021–22. The program’s volunteers and staff hope to be able to enter schools in October – ready to help struggling students sharpen their skills and learn the joy of reading. When students are recommended to the BeAR program by teachers and/or reading specialists, they are assigned to a BeAR mentor for a one-on-one meeting each week for up to one hour. Along with developing their reading skills, these children’s attitudes toward reading improve, and their self-esteem flourishes.
100 students are assisted by the BeAR program
Ready to help? Be a volunteer BeAR always need volunteers. For those who are concerned about the time commitment, consider the BeAR Share volunteer option where two volunteers share the weekly time obligation for one student. BeAR students need great
trainers and no one ever regrets helping a child learn to read. Be a donor The BeAR program always accepts financial contr ibution s. BeAR is in eight local Title 1 schools and assists more than 100 students, providing books, Student with BeAR volunteer.. workbooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, sketchpads, and Contact Robin Ford, BeAR program coordiother materials to help build each stunator, at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org to dent’s personal library. learn more about BeAR, volunteer your time or treasure, or visit JewishVA.org/BeAR.
L’Shana Tova! The Tidewater Jewish Foundation would like to wish you a sweet and happy New Year filled with health and happiness for you and your loved ones.
foundation.jewishva.org | 757-965-6111 | tjfinfo@ujft.org
jewishnewsva.org | August 23, 2021 | JEWISH NEWS | 31
