Commonwealth Corps Volunteer: Raising A Reader MA

Raising A Reader MA is an evidence-based early literacy organization dedicated to closing the academic achievement gap by helping families of young children (newborn-age 5) living in vulnerable communities develop, practice, and maintain habits of reading together at home. Our work, which both increases access to books and offers families tools and support for strengthening the culture of reading at home, is driven by 25 years of research that shows the single most significant factor influencing a child's academic success is being regularly read to by a parent/caregiver before kindergarten. Three Commonwealth Corps Members will serve as Site and Family Outreach Coordinators in a specific region- Boston, Chelsea/Revere, or Tri-City (Everett/Malden/Medford).

Corps Members will be responsible for two key components: 1) ongoing site support and 2) parent attendance at educational workshops. Tasks include providing technical assistance to early care and education providers, leading storytimes with young children, and helping Raising A Reader MA staff and parent volunteers to coordinate parent workshops about dialogic reading. Members' direct service will also build capacity in the organization to collect and internally disseminate best practices around parent outreach. Some projects such as widespread parent outreach, materials preparation, and data collection, will be performed in other Raising A Reader MA communities such as Lawrence, Lowell, Brockton, and Springfield, giving Members a stronger perspective of our statewide reach.

The mission of the Commonwealth Corps is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages and backgrounds in service to strengthen communities, address unmet community needs, and increase volunteerism. Members at Raising A Reader MA will serve 10.5 months in a full-time capacity, completing a minimum of 1,500 hours of service, from 8/15/13-6/28/14. Applicants must be Massachusetts residents 18 years of age or older with legal authorization to work in the United States. In addition to a focus on training and member development, benefits include a bi-weekly service stipend of $454.55 and several other benefits.

• Attend all required corps trainings and service events held by MSA, including a new member orientation on August 15-16, 2013 and one hour of MSA-related training and supervision weekly

• Complete minimum of 1,500 hours of service through June 28, 2014

• Manage a caseload of classrooms/home visiting programs/playgroups/family childcare providers
  • Visit each site regularly (timing depends on implementation success)
  • Provide technical assistance as needed
  • Provide storytimes on occasion
  • Enter information into Salesforce database
  • Distribute and collect measurement materials (family surveys, staff surveys, child assessments)

• Coordinate logistics for monthly parent trainings, including outreach, location, refreshments, materials, etc.

• Support Regional Program Manager to perform outreach to parents for trainings through presence at partner program, phone calls, text messages, emails, etc.

• Support Regional Program Manager to recruit and foster group of Parent Ambassadors (volunteer parent leaders in their community)

• Assist at parent trainings at Regional Program Manager's request

• Participate in monthly meetings with other Commonwealth Corps Members and weekly supervision sessions
• Contribute input to create sustainable products documenting successful parent engagement strategies, Parent Ambassador support strategies, and site support activities for future Corps Members and staff to use effectively

Application Process: To apply, please email resume and cover letter to Sara Pollock DeMedeiros at sara@raisingareaderma.org by May 31^st. Please include "Commonwealth Corps Application" in your subject line.

Raising A Reader MA will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. Raising A Reader MA welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.