Reading Buddies

The "Reading Buddies" Program forges intergenerational connections with a volunteer mentoring program that matches inner-city sutdents with elderly residents of Section 8/Section 202 facilities in Philadelphia.

The program grew from a small intergenerational tutoring/mentoring program at a First Church to 13 programs city-wide.

"Reading Buddies" relies on donations of time and materials from area organizations (mainly faith-based communities) and now has more than 200 resident volunteers. An unpaid director and three part-time assistants (made possible by foundation grants) oversee the program, identify additional school and residential facilities participants, and establish new sites and programs. Social work coordinators at participanting residential facilities identify resident volunteers. Teachers select elementary school students in 2nd to 6th grades to participate in the program.

The senior-student buddies meet once a week during the school day in a housing facility's community room for an hour-long session. The school provides transportation for the children to the housing facilities. These informal weekly sessions are shaped by shared interests of the residents and the children, and include reading, tutoring, playing games, sharing hobbies, and mentoring.

Each senior-student pair participates in a planned activity such as learning about important African-Americans during Black History Month. Other times, the pairs might play Scrabble, which helps with spelling and vocabulary. At one site, the children wrote an oral history about the lives and experiences of the elderly buddies.

Once a quarter, students hear presentations from guests, such as an animal shelter director, dental hygienist, musician, newspaper reporter, art museum educator, or television cameraman. An operations manual is available that provides detailed instructions for replication.

Accomplishments and Impacts:

Reduces senior resident isolation and improves their quality of life; more than 100 seniors on limited incomes are able to give back to the community through their time and commitment to the children.
Improves children's grades, maturity, personal appearance, and school attendance.
Meets dual goals of the Philadelphia School District: increased volunteerism and the formation of community partnerships that contribute to children's education.

Contact Info:
Patricia Quigg
Resident/Director, Reading Buddies, Inc.
734 Winding Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-887-7868
readingbuddies@aol.com