For more than a year, Maria Hansen has been involved with the Impact Reading Center, a curriculum-based, intensive reading program designed to help struggling readers in under-resourced schools maintain grade-level in reading.
"Reading is a necessary skill that lasts a lifetime," said Hansen, SNR administrative associate. "Helping students learn to read is a rewarding experience."
City Impact, a Lincoln non-profit whose initiatives aim to help transform youth and families "from the inside out," organizes the program. Four elementary schools participate: Clinton, Elliott, Hartley and McPhee.
Hansen first learned about the IRC through her spouse.
"His Leadership Lincoln class picked the City Impact Reading Center for their 2014-2015 volunteer program and was charged with seeking additional volunteers," Hansen said. "I thought this was a good opportunity, so that's why I volunteered at McPhee Elementary."
Taking on a new position at SNR ultimately influenced her decision to volunteer elsewhere for the current school year.
"After I started working at SNR and heard about all of the great things that SNR's Community Engagement Committee and employees are doing for Clinton, it inspired me to volunteer at Clinton this year," she said. "The kindergartners' energy, optimism and enthusiasm are contagious. It is very rewarding."
Volunteers can work with kindergartners, first graders or second-fifth graders. The time commitment includes one 40-60 minute session each week for a school semester.
"If all of the students at Clinton are able to learn and progress through each grade, we all benefit as a community," Hansen said.
Since Clinton is so close to Hardin Hall, Hansen plans to continue her involvement with the IRC as long as they need volunteers – and she encourages others in SNR to explore doing the same.
"If you like working with elementary students, you enjoy reading, and you have the time, energy and resources to help, I recommend saying yes," she said. "You'll receive the satisfaction of helping others, you'll meet interesting people and you’ll feel more connected to your community."
To learn more about the IRC and how to volunteer, visit https://www.cityimpact.org/making-impact/impact-reading-center.
— Mekita Rivas, Natural Resources