The Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation wants to honor those volunteers who understand the importance of teaching early reading skills and confidence.

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Foundation staff are holding a special reception for volunteers of the “Read With Me!” program, at the Old Town Newhall Library community room on Monday at 4:30 p.m.

Whole Foods Market in Valencia will also present a check to Foundation staff. Whole Foods held a special five percent day in April, donating a portion of all net sales for the day to the Foundation.

Beneficiaries are selected, based upon the needs of their local community.

The Read With Me! Program works by matching volunteers with students to work one-on-one or in small groups on school campuses, to improve reading and comprehension skills. Volunteers have an opportunity to improve a child’s life and gain a young friend.

U.S. Secretary of Education, Arnie Duncan spoke of the importance of early reading skills while addressing the National Head Start Association last month.

“And we know that, on average, children from low-income families start kindergarten—they start school—12 to 14 months behind their peers in language development and pre-reading skills,” he said. “That is morally and educationally unacceptable. And from a long-term perspective of maintaining America’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based economy, it is just plain dumb. Now, in an era of tight budgets and limited resources, it is absolutely right that we ask ourselves, what is the smartest use of our education dollars? The answer, I believe, is that high-quality early learning is the best education investment we can make in our children, our communities, and ultimately, our country.”

About the Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation

The Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1995 to provide support, programs and leadership for the promotion and welfare of all Kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in the Santa Clarita Valley.

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