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Community Reading Buddies has a brand new website!

 

Visit communityreadingbuddies.org

 

 

Together we can close the early literacy gap in the Bay Area.

For 26 years, Community Reading Buddies has been mobilizing Bay Area high schoolers to mentor younger students in literacy and ignite them with a passion for reading. In turn, the high schoolers are trained in social-emotional skills that prepare them to become successful, independent adults.

Key Stats from Community Reading Buddies

buddies since 2013
mentors since 2014
books given away since 2015
1:1 reading hours since 2015

Innovative Dual Impact Program

Value for young readers…

One-on-one interactive book reading is the most effective tool for developing early literacy and language skills. CRB's curriculum is aligned with the Oakland Unified School District's Big Day for PreK curriculum and California state standards, focusing particularly on:

  • Print awareness
  • Phonological awareness
  • Number sense
  • Vocabulary
  • Phoneme blending

Through interactions with their Youth Mentors, Buddies also work on cognitive and social-emotional development such as attention maintenance, critical thinking, expressing emotions, and social understanding.

…and value for young adults

According to 400 Fortune 500 CEOs, 75% of long-term career success depends on soft skills while only 25% depends on technical knowledge. Through our Positive Youth Development Approach, our Youth Mentors are trained in and develop in:

  • Leadership
  • Confidence
  • Communication Skills

96% in 2020 reported they feel more empowered as a leader and contributor.

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Abstract icon of dots representing learning
Student reading a book

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