“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go!”   -Dr. Seuss

Perhaps as equally exciting as a child enjoying a nutritious meal on a summer day is to witness a well-fed child lost in a storybook. Thanks to the collaboration between GRACE, Grapevine Outreach Center and First United Methodist Church’s V.A.S.T program, children may take a break from the summer heat to enjoy a story hour led by volunteers.

The heart behind the venture is to engage minds and nurture hearts of at-risk youth who might not otherwise be able to attend a library storytime due to their parent’s stringent hourly work schedules.

All volunteers receive ample training on how to interact with children and encourage them to find reading as a comfortable behavior. Children can choose between being read to or reading a book to their siblings and friends.

Reading Club 2Reading aloud is widely recognized as the single-most important activity leading to language development. Not only does it stimulate cognitive skills, reading builds motivation, ignites curiosity and engages the imagination.

One-on-one attention also lends to a greater likelihood of comprehending complex narratives and self-paced improvement in a relational environment.

The Reading Room is open at the Scribner Feed Our Kids site during lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 18. Each child is entered into a weekly drawing for door prizes with larger prizes in store at summer’s end. So far there have been a weekly average of 20 children who have taken advantage of the Reading Room at GRACE.

Thanks to the GRACE family for investing in the young minds in our community!