The IRC in Atlanta’s NDMVA Youth Futures Associate, Aria Albritton, recently launched a Reading Buddy program to build a partnership between the IRC’s afterschool program at Clarkston High School and Catholic Charities’ afterschool program at Indian Creek Elementary School. Located just a five minute walk from each other, both Indian Creek Elementary and Clarkston High School are two of the most diverse schools in DeKalb County, with students coming from more than 40 countries and speaking over 45 different languages and dialects.
The new Reading Buddy program uses mentoring relationships between high school and elementary students to get young people of all ages excited about reading—a huge help when it comes to learning English! After submitting an application and undergoing training, IRC Youth Futures students visit their elementary “Reading Buddies” twice a month to read a book and facilitate a related craft or activity.
2019 Spring Semester 'Super Readers', Rukaiya, Abdimalik and Ayat.
Photo: IRC Atlanta
Our three Youth Futures Reading Buddies for the 2019 Spring semester—affectionately known as ‘Super Readers’—were 9th grader Ayat, originally from Syria, 10th grader Rukaiya, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 12th grader Abdimalik, originally from Somalia. The elementary school students loved their Youth Futures Super Readers, and were always visibly excited to see them arrive.
Over the semester, the Super Readers worked with around 20 3rd-5th grade Catholic Charities students and took turns reading a book of their choice to the group and leading the related arts and crafts project. During the weeks where they were not visiting their Reading Buddies, the Super Readers were planning for the next week’s project, debriefing the previous week’s session, and discussing ideas of how to better engage their young mentees.
The Super Readers worked together to plan activities for their elementary-aged Reading Buddies.
Photo: IRC Atlanta
When asked why they thought being a Ready Buddy was important, the Super Readers emphasized the opportunity to become stronger, more confident readers as they mentored younger students on their own literacy journeys.
We asked: “What’s the best part of being a Reading Buddy?”
"Brings joy to a sad person spending time with the kids." –Rukaiya
"Spreading happiness to the kids through reading them a book and spending fun time with them." –Ayat
"I feel like a leader when reading to kids." –Abdimalik
For IRC Youth Futures AmeriCorps member Aria, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “It honestly has been the greatest privilege to watch the students grow in leadership, creativity and friendship through being a Reading Buddy in just a short semester,” she shared. “They have become mostly independent in the creative process and work so well with each other and the Catholic Charities students! I am honored to work alongside them!”
"Spreading happiness to the kids through reading them a book and spending fun time with them." –Ayat
Photo: IRC Atlanta
The IRC in Atlanta’s Youth Futures afterschool and summer program provides integration support, tutoring, academic counseling, college readiness preparation, and social and enrichment opportunities to refugee students attending Clarkston High School.
Applications are now open for the IRC in Atlanta’s 2019-20 NDMV AmeriCorps positions. Learn more and apply.
To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Senior Development Manager, Kalie Lasiter, at Kalie.Lasiter [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8941.
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