Be A Reader (BeAR) Literacy Project pairs caring adults with second graders in under-resourced schools for one-on-one reading time. For many of these children, the attention, encouragement, and joy the mentors bring during that single hour a week is more than just reading practice—it’s a boost in confidence, a belief in themselves, and a reminder that someone cares.
BeAR is a project of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council.
Volunteer mentors are needed for the 2025-26 school year in these schools:
Norfolk: Chesterfield Academy Elementary, Larrymore Elementary, Suburban Park Elementary (new this year), and Willard Model Elementary.
Virginia Beach: Birdneck Elementary (almost full!), College Park Elementary, Newtown Elementary (new this year), Tallwood Elementary (student-led via Tallwood High), and Thalia Elementary.
The commitment is simple: BeAR mentors meet with the same student once a week during the school day, read together, talk, laugh, and inspire a love of books. No teaching experience is required – just a warm heart and a willingness to participate.
To a child, volunteers are more than a mentor – the person who listens, encourages, and helps open the door to a brighter future.
An hour a week may not seem like much, but to many of these students, it’s everything.
To learn more about BeAR or to sign up as a mentor, contact Robin Ford at 757-321-2304 or rford@ujft.org.
Read along with BeAR: One hour each week can change a child’s life
