Reading Reaches – kids' minds and kids' hearts
is a program that brings caring adult volunteers into the Domestic Violence Shelters to read to the children residing in the Shelter. The program brings together two disparate concepts into one, unified package.
First, we believe that children who listen and participate in read-aloud programs become more excited about reading. They become better readers in later life, and accrue all of the benefits that reading
brings.
Second, we believe that children who witness or experience domestic violence are much more likely to become abusers and victims as adults. Experience has shown that, in order to break the cycle of
Domestic Violence, it is necessary to demonstrate to these children that there are alternatives to the adult behavior patterns that they watch and experience in their homes. Moreover, these children need to
experience a sense of self-importance and self-worth.
Reading Reaches – kids' minds and kids' hearts is administered by Reading Reaches , Inc. a 501-(c) –3 corporation. Reading Reaches
works with the Kansas City Metropolitan Area Domestic Violence Shelters, as well as with organizations with similar aims, and provides the following services:
Actively recruits adult readers throughout the community,
with a special emphasis on recruiting men and husband-wife couples.
- Provides guidance to the volunteer readers on effective techniques for making the Read-Aloud experience more meaningful and rewarding for the children.
- Provides reading suggestions
- Provides books to read and to give to the children (when available)
Each of the Domestic Violence Shelters participating in the program provides the following services:
- Administers criminal background examinations for the volunteers to the same extent as for all other volunteers operating on their property.
- Provides the training necessary for the volunteer to understand the issues and behaviors associated with women and children experiencing Domestic Violence
- Provides the physical space necessary to conduct the program
- Schedules the Volunteers' activities
The Director of Reading Reaches is Christopher Hope. He can be reached at:
816-763-5205
