Find literacy and reading resources in Westchester County, NY, including children’s reading enrichment programs and volunteer opportunities for teens and adults.
Center for Literacy at Pace University
White Plains
(914) 422-4135
Teach schoolchildren of all ages (K-12) to learn to read, write, and create with the help of historical figures (such as the authors of the Constitution or William Shakespeare). These after-school, Saturday, and summer programs allow children to go beyond basic literacy skills to increase knowledge of their society, culture, and world. To schedule a meeting, contact Sister St. John.
Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County
Libraries throughout Westchester County
(914) 375-7964
This group invites you to train as a literacy volunteer and enhance the reading and writing skills of undereducated and foreign-born adults. Tutors commit to a full year (1-2 hours per week, 75-100 hours total) of one-on-one work with students at one of 38 libraries in the county. Jumpstart your 18 hours of tutor training by calling and adding your name to the volunteer mailing list.
Literacy Center at Mount Vernon Library
Mount Vernon
(914) 668-1840, x. 238
Trained tutors meet with students one-on-one or in small groups to improve the literacy skills of the more than 50,000 adults in Westchester County who struggle with writing, reading, and/or speaking English. For more information, call Nancy Fitch on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from noon to 4pm.
Mamaroneck, Peekskill, White Plains
Reading Is Fundamental serves children through a national network of volunteer coordinators and literacy programs in nearly 19,000 locations across the U.S., including Peekskill (Teen Travel Camp, Kiley Youth Center, Creative Arts Camp, Peekskill Field Library, and other locations in the city), Mamaroneck (Mamaroneck Public Library), and White Plains (Westchester County Court House, Lee F. Jackson School). Last year, in New York state alone, 328,935 children selected 1,159,279 books to keep as their own. Visit the website to learn about volunteering, donating, or advocating with Congress to maintain funding beyond the current temporary funding resolution set to expire on March 4.
Rye
(914) 231-3166
A variety of programs for reading enthusiasts of all ages, from teen reading groups to English as a Second Language programs for adults and storytelling for youngsters. Assist the library that works to initiate and participate in literacy programs such as “Read for the Record,” where country-wide participants enjoy the same book on the same day. For more information, call Maria Lagonia.
Also see: How to Help Your Child Be a Confident Reader
Resources: Our Education Resource Guide for the New York metro area
Our Online Calendar, for storytelling events and more in Rockland County and the New York metro area
