United We Serve Volunteer Experiences Personal Growth By Reading With Kids

First reading service experience today at the Charles Houston Recreation Center here in Alexandria. Arrived a bit early to a beautiful new community center that was spacious and inviting. Somewhat apprehensive as to the size of the group of 7-8 year olds-the larger the group the more chance of that certain restlessness that comes with a large group of kids in the summertime. Especially nervous when I saw that the center’s swimming pool was visible from our designated space in the reading room!

All of my worries melted away however when the kids walked into the room. I could feel their peaceful and inquisitive energy and knew we were on the right track when they seemed happy that Stephanie and I sat cross-legged on the floor with them for the storytelling. This was a great way to start the reading! The group actually moved in closer to us as we began our introductions and we explained a bit about ourselves. They were quiet, attentive and excited by the choice of reading material.

Stephanie explained how she would be reading a large print book and described her visual limitations. We stopped after each page for interactive comments and even corrections in the reading of the material! These kids were avid readers and didn’t miss a beat!
We critiqued the story after reading it which lent another layer of interest to the experience. There were insights into the personality of the main character and also comments about his motivation.

Next, the Braille alphabet was explained as Braille explanation cards were distributed. Types of visual impairments were briefly explained as the children held up the vision simulator cards. Everyone participated! The group was still asking questions and were reticent to leave us. I felt like staying longer myself and was especially moved when one young girl who had been sitting next to me sweetly asked me if I would come back and teach an art class. How could I refuse?

Next time, we will brush up on our fact sheets concerning the history of Braille and Helen Keller. Many of the children seemed interested in the process of Braille. Others knew of Helen Keller and knowing details of her life story would have added spice to the conversations.

I feel grateful to have been able to participate however briefly in the United We Serve initiative and richer for the experience of being with a curious and bright group of children. There was a sense of fun and isn’t that the way to keep our interest going in any endeavor? Children bring this to our lives and they become the teachers and we the students.

Journal account written by: Catherine Schultz, NIB reading volunteer

Education Week Brings Volunteer Readers & Children Together

Blind, Visually Impaired and Sighted Readers Start Reading Program at Local Recreation Center

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is continuing its efforts to promote participation in President and Mrs. Obama's United We Serve: Summer of Service program. This week is featured as "Education Week" under the Unite We Serve (www.serve.gov).

Eight volunteers from NIB are reading to children ages 5 to 12. In setting up Education Week, NIB discovered a need for ongoing tutoring for children who attend the Charles Houston Recreation Center after school. NIB is now working on a sustained program to meet this need.

5 Presidents Promote Volunteering, Serve.gov

Major League Baseball Supports United We Serve; NIB Reading Program Set for Education Week July 27-Aug 2, 2009.

The United We Serve – Summer of Service program was a prime time hit during the Major League Baseball All-Star game this week. A six minute film on volunteerism featured at President Obama and five former Presidents: Bush, Clinton, Bush and Carter to highlight the importance of community service and ask all Americans to find a volunteer opportunity at Serve.gov.

Nearly a dozen NIB are actively participating in the United We Serve program and NIB is encouraging 100 percent participation from its associated agencies. You can register your agency or yourself as a volunteer at www.serve.gov. Download easy to follow directions on how to log on and register your volunteer effort under NIB at serve.gov.

Education Week is July 27-August 2. NIB is providing readers for children age 5 to 12 at a local recreation center that provides summer programs for 140 mostly low-income and homeless children.
Share what you, your friends or your agency is doing at NIB’s Blog: www.nib-abilityone.blogspot.com. Upload pictures, write about your experience. Share your feels. Tweet with us at www.twitter.com/nibabilityone.

MENTOR A CHILD DURING EDUCATION WEEK JULY 27-AUG 2

SIGN UP YOUR AGENCY’S VOLUNTEER PROJECTS AT SERVE.GOV A SUMMER OF SERVICE

NIB is participating in the Obama Administration-led UNITED WE SERVE – SUMMER OF SERVICE campaign now through September 11, 2009 by promoting participation in volunteerism and public service at all of our associated agencies. NIB is specifically focused on reading programs for children, especially low-income or underprivileged children.

NIB is partnering with local groups and Reading Is Fundamental for events throughout the summer with the goal of having volunteers sustain their community involvement beyond the United We Serve campaign period.

“Our goal is to have all of our associated agencies participate in the United We Serve campaign,” Kevin Lynch, CEO, NIB said in a message to staff July 10, 2009. “We are especially interested in having people who are blind participating in the program to demonstrate how we give back to our communities.”

Most associated agencies and their employees participate in a number of volunteer or charitable activities. For the United We Serve campaign, it is important that these activities are chronicled through the United We Serve web site at http://www.serve.gov/.

Help us reach 100% participation from all associated agencies. Share your activities, pictures and experiences on our Blog site.

NIB Reading Mentor Kathy Gallagher Kicks Off Summer of Service in Alexandria, VA

Kathy Gallagher is serving as a reading mentor under the United We Serve volunteer program to help children maintain and improve their reading skills during summer vacation. Kathy uses books with one page printed in braille and the other in traditional lettering to read with her students. She also uses an electronic reader that is built into her mobile phone.

On Monday, June 22, 2009, as a kick-off to the United We Serve program (http://www.serve.gov/), Kathy introduced two boys to braille and learned more about the kinds of books and stories they like to read.

Kathy works in the human resources department at the National Industries for the Blind (http://www.nib.org/). She also spoke with 140 Girl Scouts at a day camp in Alexandria, VA on June 23, 2009 discussing how she lives a productive and active life as a person who is blind.

NIB is supporting the President's call to community service by encouraging employees at their headquarters office and more than 85 related agencies nationwide to participate in the United We Serve volunteer program. The program runs from June 22 to September 11, 2009.

Volunteer. Share your experience. Be part of a Summer of Service through United We Serve!

First Lady Michele Obama Kicks Off "United We Serve"

NIB is supporting "United We Serve" a summer of community-based volunteer service from June 22 to September 11, 2009. Listen to First Lady Michele Obama's comments about "United We Serve" and learn how to get involved. For more information, log on to http://www.serve.org.

NIB is encouraging all member agencies to participate in this wonderful volunteer program in any capacity that they can. Our goal is 100 percent participation!

Our focus is on providing reading mentors to children in local communities. Consider being a reading tutor at the library, schools or with neighborhood children.

Any kind of service or volunteer help you can do is worthwhile. Follow your heart and convictions.

You don't have to do this alone. Gather a group of friends or co-workers. Talk about a one-time event or plan something that will carry you through the next three months on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Share what you're doing with NIB through this blog or Twitter, http://twitter.com/nibabilityone.

Learn more about NIB and the AbilityOne program at http://www.nib.org

JOIN “UNITED WE SERVE” READ TO CHILDREN IN YOUR COMMUNITY

On Monday, June 22, 2009, “United We Serve” will launch a volunteer program focused on community service. NIB is leading an effort to encourage employees and staff at all of our agencies to participate in reading programs through your local community libraries, schools, neighborhoods or social groups.

Our goal is 100 percent agency participation between now and September 11, 2009. Hear what President Obama has to say about UNITED WE SERVE.

Here’s how your agency can sign up to participate in the United We Serve volunteer initiative:

1. 
   Visit http://www.serve.gov/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to the box that says “Register your event or project” and click on this box.
2. 
   Click on “Get started now” and fill out the form to create an organization account with a description of your existing volunteer opportunities.

GETTING STARTED: follow this program or start your own. All volunteering is good!

Identify Local Partners e.g. NIB is working with local libraries to bring in staff to read to children throughout the summer. Your local library probably has a Summer Reading Program with group reading sessions throughout summer vacation. Contact them today!

Build a Team: Put together a group of reading volunteers. It’s a great way to share the fun and reach out to your community.

Set Goals: Think about reading to children once a week, every other week or once a month. Make your goal fun and obtainable.

Serve Your Community: Inspire a child with your favorite story or by reading their favorite story to them. As a person who is blind, you bring a special “can do” perspective to children who are learning to read. Read to children in your neighborhood, at schools or libraries. Invite groups to your agency. They’ll love listening to and learning from you!

Celebrate Success: Track your progress, take pictures, do a video and share your experiences with NIB and other volunteers. Post your comments and experiences HERE! Log on to http://www.serve.gov/too.

For more details, assistance in getting started or registering your NIB-agency program or publicizing your event contact: Ken Murphy, director of Communications, NIB kmurphy@nib.org 703-310-0333.