LONG BRANCH — Family & Children’s Service (FCS), Monmouth County’s oldest, private nonprofit social service agency, is currently seeking enthusiastic, dedicated individuals for two school-based volunteer programs designed to foster literacy skills and encourage healthy eating habits in young students.
FCS Reading Buddies, now in its 17th year, is the only in-school volunteer program of its kind in Monmouth County, engaging more than 170 specially-trained adult volunteers to read aloud to small groups of Kindergarten and first grade students in the classroom to build confidence and reading skills.
Similarly, FCS Healthy Buddies partners adult volunteers with students in grades 3-5 to help them develop the skill, knowledge and behaviors needed to maintain and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Together, the two programs serve nearly 2,000 students in 19 Monmouth County public elementary schools.
“Volunteering with our Reading Buddies and Healthy Buddies program presents the perfect opportunity to combine passion with purpose,” said FCS Volunteer Services Director Samantha White. “Our volunteers enjoy sharing their lifetime of skills and experiences with young students in the classroom, as well as the opportunity to socialize with other volunteers on their team. Many of our volunteers have been with us for more than a decade.”
“Gratification for the lives we have touched keeps me coming back. Many of the children to whom I first read are now grown adults. We see the older kids in school waving and smiling and remembering us! I truly enjoy it,” said Dallas Grove, who has been reading to students in Asbury Park for 15 years.
No previous classroom experience is required to be a Healthy Buddies or Reading Buddies volunteer. If you are enthusiastic and enjoy interacting with children, contact Program Coordinator Lisa Schlosser at 732-222-9111 or Lschlosser@fcsmonmouth.org to volunteer.
For more information, visit www.fcsmonmouth.org.
