 Help a child succeed
There are many children in Mobile County who need your help to improve their reading skills. If a child is not reading by the end of third grade, they will not be prepared to "read to learn" in fourth grade and will be much more likely to drop out of high school. Mobile County has a comprehensive plan to improve our graduation rate and one way people can help is to volunteer their time serving as a Reading Buddy.
Click here to download a brochure that explains our Reading Buddy Initiative in more detail. It is a proven program which increases the reading skills of first, second and third graders and has a 94% satisfaction rate from our volunteers.
If you would like to participate in this program, you need to sign up for a short training session. Please complete the online registration form indicating which training session you plan to attend.
Thank you for taking the time to increase a child's love of reading.
What are they saying about Reading Buddies...
"I just completed my second visit to my reading buddy this afternoon. I can say without a doubt that it is a wonderful program and I am proud to be a member of such a worthwhile group. I meet with Cory and Alissa two delightful children who were energetic and sincerely eager to read and learn. It is refreshing to meet them once a week and read our stories together." - Volunteer Reading Buddy
"I have a really sweet girl who can use some help. The teacher is very accommodating. She told me this week that even in just the few weeks I've been working with the student, the teacher can tell a difference. I shared several high fives with the girl in front of her teacher after the teacher told me about her recent improved test scores. Overall, I am really enjoying my experience. I like using my experience from college (elementary ed major) and really feeling like I'm working at a level where I can make a difference in a child's life and in the education system. I'm a big fan and talk about it around work and the church to maybe get some more people involved."
-Volunteer Reading Buddy
"'Mr. Ward' has become so bonded to Pedro and committed to his success that he is coming twice a week and this week he even brought some Sylvan resource books to use with Pedro! Pedro is so excited when he sees Mr. Ward and has really worked hard with him. I credit Mr. Ward (and Pedro's awesome teacher, of course) with Pedro's passing grade in reading 1st quarter!" - Principal
"This will be my third week. I believe it is going well. She is a precious little girl who I think reads fairly well. The teacher, Ms. Singleton, told me she selected Diamond for Reading Buddies because Diamond's Mom passed away last year and she felt like it would help her to have someone spend the extra time with her. My Mom died earlier this year, so I have that instant connection with her. She does not know I know about her Mom and I will not bring up the subject, but would certainly talk about it with her if she does mention it. God places us where we need to be. Thank you for the opportunity. I already know I am being blessed by it." -Volunteer Reading Buddy
For more information, contact:
Mary Ann Napper
251/ 470-5204
mnapper@maef.net | 
This fall, MAEF will host community conversations at locations stretching the length and breadth of Mobile County. One or more will be scheduled at locations near you. Your input is valuable as we bring you, the public, into our public schools. Just as in previous community conversation campaigns, 
