Volunteer Readers Needed at CHOP

Posted by on May 2, 2002

The Reach Out and Read? (ROR) program, a national pediatric literacy program that occurs at the four Primary Care Centers of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, strives to promote an early love of reading and books before children attend school. Volunteer readers (senior in high school and older with some exceptions) are needed to engage children of all ages in looking at and reading books and making it fun, while modeling for parents the pleasure of reading aloud, in the waiting rooms at any of the four Primary Care Centers. The pediatricians, nurse practitioners and staff at these Primary Care Centers in West and South Philadelphia care for over 15,000 children from the community, ages birth – 19, for well visits (check-ups) and sick visits.

ROR volunteers are required to commit to the same day/time weekly/biweekly for 1 or more hours for at least one month. Since it is difficult to predict how many children will be in the waiting areas, ROR prefers to place one volunteer per shift, however there are exceptions.

For more information or questions, please contact Kirsten Plender, the ROR coordinator, at 215-590-5989 or plender@email.chop.edu. Individuals who may be interested in volunteering will need to apply through The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Volunteer Department at 215-590-1093.