DONATION & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Books to Oregon Prisoners: Volunteer or donate books. Volunteers work two evenings a week opening letters, finding books in our collection that correspond to the request, and wrapping and mailing parcels. Because of continuing backlog of requests, prisoners sometimes wait up to six months to receive their books. www.bookstooregonprisoners.org

Chemeketa Community College Literacy Volunteer Program: Primary focus is offering literacy consultation and education to adults who are unable to access the college’s regularly scheduled Adult Basic Education and English As a Second Language classes. Through individualized and small group sessions, our volunteers tutor students in reading, writing, and English conversation, focusing on life- and work skills. www.chemeketa.edu/collegelife/service/literacy

Even Start Family Literacy Program: Supports efforts to implement research-based strategies, to improve and expand family literacy levels, and improve family awareness of services available to economically and educationally disadvantaged families with young children. www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=98

Oregon Education Association: ANNOUNCEMENT: Literacy Council of Josephine County (Grants Pass) Needs Volunteer Tutors: Training and materials are free for tutors and the lessons are free for the student. There is a large library of materials to choose from. The student and tutor decide when and where to meet. Generally, people meet at the downtown office a couple times a week for an hour or so; however, some lessons are at the workplace or home. Contact Eleanor Hester, 541.474.0469; Liz Medley, 541.956.8573, or leave a message at 541.472.0355. The office is located at 223 SE M Street, Grants Pass (the blue Victorian building). www.oregoned.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=9dKKKYMDH&b=1468491&ct=2881663

SMART (Start Making a Reader Today): Volunteer-based SMART partners with hundreds of schools statewide to deliver literacy support to K–3 children. Participating children also receive new books each month to keep and read with their families. www.getsmartoregon.org

WiPP’s 3rd Annual Book Drive (August 1-September 8): As part of Women in Portland Publishing’s mission to promote literacy in Portland and beyond, it is collecting NEW & USED book donations to benefit: Regence Boys & Girls Club of Portland, Oregon/Portland Books to Prisoners Programs, and the library of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Portland. Go to WiPP’s website for more information on requested donations and local drop sites: www.womeninpublishing.com.

WRAP (Write Around Portland): Workshops are offered at no charge to people living with HIV/AIDS, veterans living with PTSD, survivors of domestic violence, adults and youth in recovery from alcohol and drug addictions, low-income seniors, people in prison, teen parents, and others who may not have access to writing in the community because of income, isolation, or other barriers. Donations of writing journals for workshop participants are encouraged. www.writearound.org

Check here for opportunities in your county: www.oregonliteracy.org/literacyproviders/index.php

Or contact your local school district and ask how you can help boost literacy in your area!

FAMILY READING OPPORTUNITIES

Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library: The Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children, have incorporated the latest research into a series of parent and caregiver workshops to provide public libraries with vital tools to help prepare parents for their critical role as their child’s first teacher. www.ala.org/ala/alsc/ecrr/ecrrhomepage.cfm

Every Family Reads: Every Family Reads encourages families with children in grades K–5 to read together by uniting them around the works of a children’s author. www.multcolib.org/familyreads/index.html

Oregon Reading Association: An organization for teachers, administrators, parents, aides, and others who are interested in reading instruction and the promotion of lifetime reading habits. www.oregonread.org/grants2.html

Summer Reading program through Multnomah County Library System: June 13, 2008–August 31, 2008. www.multcolib.org/summer

MONETARY DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

Oregon Community Foundation: Donate to this grant-funding organization that regularly supports literacy programs. http://www.ocf1.org/grant_programs/grant_programs.html