30 | MARCH 9 • 2023
M
arch is a wonder-
ful time of year for
celebrations! As
you enjoy Purim and Reading
Month with your family and
friends, please consider joining
in on one of the following vol-
unteer opportunities as well.
Keep an eye out for litera-
cy-centered events this month.
United Way states: “Research
shows that reading aloud to
children is the single most
important activity for eventual
success in reading, a key factor
for success in school, work and
life. When an adult reads aloud
to a child, both parties have a
joyful, rewarding experience
that instills a love of reading,
improves literacy skills and
enhances a child’s self-confi-
dence.
”
Brilliant Detroit is looking
for volunteers to support March
is Reading Month. Volunteers
are needed to support daytime
literacy-focused events through-
out the month. At Brilliant
Detroit, they believe that liter-
acy is a critical component of a
kid’s success. Each site is offer-
ing unique programming and
has different volunteer needs.
Events include assisting with
literacy game stations and read-
ing aloud to small groups. Visit
https://brilliantdetroit.galaxy-
digital.com to find an oppor-
tunity that suits you, or email
volunteer@brilliantdetroit.org
with any questions.
United Way’s Read Aloud
Mentoring Program, which
serves four schools in Pontiac
and Detroit through one-to-one
mentoring, needs volunteers.
Adults serve as reading men-
tors for students in grades K-4
at local schools during their
lunchtimes. The goal is to instill
a love of reading and provide
social-emotional support.
Mentors attend 30-
minute reading sessions with
their student once a week or
every other week through the
end of the school year. Virtual
opportunities are available at
some of the schools, so inquire
if that interests you. All volun-
teers will attend an information
and training session prior to
beginning the program. To
sign up, visit https://liveunited-
sem.galaxydigital.com/need/
detail/?need_id=359289.
Yad Ezra needs extra hands
to help with Passover food
packing and distribution. On
March 19, there are two pack-
ing shifts offered: 9-11 a.m.
and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. On March
26 and 27, there are multiple
shifts available to distribute
Passover packages to clients
at the Passover drive-though.
Clients will come to Yad Ezra
and receive a box of food for
their seder that aligns with the
size of their family. To sign up,
visit https://volunteer.yadezra.
org. A background check is
required.
Life Remodeled hosts LIT
Fridays on the fourth Friday
of each month from 4-8 p.m.
at the Durfee Innovation
Society in Detroit. LIT
Fridays are monthly youth
and family engagement events
planned and executed by
the Life Remodeled Youth
Alliance (LRYA), a group of
Yad Ezra is
looking for
volunteers to
pack food boxes.
OUR COMMUNITY
Calling All Volunteers
Plenty of chances to do a mitzvah.
SAMANTHA FOON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
March is
National
Reading Month.