Nancy Thompson visited Kingsbury Elementary Wednesday, watching the smiles on faces of eager young readers.

Thursday, August 10, 2000

Nancy Thompson visited Kingsbury Elementary Wednesday, watching the smiles on faces of eager young readers.

Ms. Thompson, a program specialist with the Corporation for National Service, labeled the group’s literacy program – America Reads – a success in Ironton.

The program’s 12 tutors were enthusiastic and Ms. Thompson said she saw what she had hoped to see – children who were excited about reading.

"Ironton’s is one of four in the state," she said. "I think we need to have five times that many, because children can really use the help."

America Reads partnered with city schools to offer free daily reading exercises and fun for the last eight weeks. About 85 children participated.

The program’s goal is to help children finish the summer better than or at the reading level they were in at school and boost parental involvement in reading to children, Ms. Thompson said.

"And third, we want to help them like books better," she said. America Reads children went to the library once a week and all have library cards now.

America Reads began in Texas, then became a national program, supervised by the Corporation for National Service. The corporation is federally-owned, like the post office, and has offices in most states.

VISTA volunteers, STARS and Foster Grandparents are the most visible programs locally, Ms. Thompson said.

Those programs and America Reads receive help from VISTA volunteers who establish community service projects and try to organize them so that they keep going once volunteers’ service period is over, Ms. Thompson said.

Recently, the corporation’s programs have highlighted literacy and other needful services in Ohio, she said.

Still, the corporation faces a challenge in its mission to bring community service workers’ projects to Ohio counties – recruiting volunteers, Ms. Thompson said.

"Uncle Sam wants you," she said with a smile. "Not really, but it’s an experience really worth the sacrifice you have to make."

Volunteers are paid at poverty level but receive much more rewards in the work they do, whether its literacy help or starting programs to provide low-income families with access to technology, Ms. Thompson said.

Lawrence County has two year-round VISTA volunteers and 13 summer associates, and no more, she said.

"Not because we haven’t tried, because we have."

To get involved, call the administration office in Columbus at 1-614-469-7441.