Reading Buddies: Empowering Students to Read One Relationship at a Time

The word is out that students in Battle Creek are excited about learning to read through Reading Buddies.

The Reading Buddies Program pairs elementary school students with community members in an effort to help kids excel in reading.  Our CIS of Michigan team in Battle Creek is connecting volunteers from the Battle Creek Fire Department, Heritage Chevrolet, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and the greater community to read with students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Currently there are 95 students participating in Reading Buddies across 7 schools within the Battle Creek Public School District.

"Reading Buddies not only helps students develop their literacy strategies; it also provides them with an adult mentor with whom they can build a relationship. We know that a positive, caring relationship with an adult is one of the greatest determining factors for school success,” said Jessica Swisher-Zimmerman, Program Director for Communities In Schools of Michigan.

Recently our partners from the Battle Creek Fire Department were highlighted for their work at Lamora Park School. Check out the article “Battle Creek Firefighters ‘Excited’ to Help Elementary School Students Excel in Reading” by WXMI – FOX 17. In the article, Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant described his experience with the program as priceless: “Being able to share some time, and hug a child, or develop that relationship, again, you cannot put a price on this.”

Literacy programs have been identified as high priority in many of CISM school districts, due to the new 3rd grade Michigan reading law, which makes it mandatory for students to be reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Reading Buddies focuses on students in K- 2nd grade to give them additional practice time and intentional coaching before they reach 3rd grade.  As Program Director Jessica explained, from K-3rd grade, students are “learning to read”, but from 4th grade on they “read to learn.” The Reading Buddies program targets the early learners intentionally to keep students on track for promotion and graduation. 

Reading Buddies helps with students’ attendance too. Since participants know they have a community mentor coming to read with them, they are extra motivated to be in school. Reading Buddies is a perfect example of how Communities In Schools of Michigan connects the highest need students with targeted supports from the community. Together we are able to help students stay focused today, so they can go further tomorrow.

Want to be a Reading Buddy? Additional volunteers are always needed! The goal is to have a reading buddy for every child in K-2nd grade in Battle Creek Public Schools. If you are interested in volunteering as a reading buddy in Battle Creek you can sign up here.

The program will also be expanding this year to Benton Harbor and Dearborn. Submit the volunteer interest form to learn how you can get connected to Reading Buddies in those cities.