Reach Out and Read has officially started!

On April 19th, 2007 the nationally renowned Reach Out and Read program began in the Cornelius clinic. Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center was awarded $8,000 in order to purchase and provide brand new books for every child that comes to the clinic for their well child check up. With Reach Out and Read, literacy promotion will become a standard part of pediatric care so that children will grow up with their own books and a love for reading.

Cornelius providers have been trained to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud to their children. Along with this trusted advice from their provider, parents will also witness volunteers in the waiting room who will exemplify behaviors of proper reading behavior.

Our Reach Out and Read volunteers are a huge success! The children in the waiting room have responded so well to the volunteers, so much so that they follow the volunteer around and ask when the volunteer will be back to read again. Even shy children will eventually come to listen to the stories. This sort of enthusiasm for reading is an excellent addition to the already wonderful benefits patients receive from Virginia Garcia.

If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact Diana Walker at 503.352.8608.

Download the Volunteer Application and the Confidentiality Statement (in Word .doc format).