Heading into its 26th year, the Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project is growing, adding two new partner schools to the BeAR family: Newtown Elementary in Virginia Beach and Suburban Park Elementary in Norfolk.
The growth translates to more second graders to support, more smiles to share, and more volunteers needed.
BeAR connects caring adults and second grade students in local Title I schools with a straightforward goal: to help kids fall in love with reading, build confidence, and help develop the literacy skills they need to thrive.
Mentors commit just one hour each week to read one-on-one with a student throughout the school year. Teaching experience is not required—just a genuine interest in helping these amazing second graders, a bit of patience, and a commitment to showing up each week.
Being a mentor is a simple way to make a real and lasting difference.
Mentors give an hour, and the BeAR program, powered by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council, takes care of the rest. That means books to build each child’s personal home library, high-quality school supplies, and other essentials to help these students grow and thrive.
Mentors often say they get just as much out of the experience as the kids do. There’s nothing like seeing a child light up when they realize, “Hey, I can do this!”
Whether retired, a college student, working part-time, or just looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community, there’s a place for volunteers at BeAR. It only takes an hour a week, but the impact lasts a lifetime.
Want to learn more or sign up to volunteer? Contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or rford@UJFT.org