Early Literacy volunteers work primarily with elementary school students, exposing them to language and print resources to help students read at grade level. We also provide support to teachers, which ranges from tutoring students to awarding grants for classroom needs. Projects in our Early Literacy impact area include:

ARTS IN MOTION (A.I.M.)

Volunteers provide a weeklong summer camp focused on physical activity, crafts, drama, and music at Mission First.

BGCCM POETRY CAFÉ

Volunteers work with children at the new Poetry Café at the Walker Unit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi (BGCCM), developing confidence through poetry, debate, spoken word, and mentoring.

HELPING HANDS

Volunteers provide countless hours of volunteer support by lending their hands to current and new community partners throughout the year.

JPS SUMMER CAMP

Rising 3rd and 4th grade students in the Jackson Public Schools work with JLJ volunteers on skills to prepare for the Mississippi Curriculum Tests, as well as art, drama, and physical education in this weeklong summer camp.

OUR READING FAMILY

Volunteers assist the Community Engagement arm of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life with two multi-week programs that target children and families to promote literacy.

PUBLIC SCHOOL MINI-GRANTS

In partnership with the Community Foundation for Mississippi and JPS Partners in Education, volunteers organize, review, and evaluate classroom grant proposals and award grants to teachers, host a reception for selected teachers and principals, and visit schools to evaluate the use of grant funds.

READ MORE WITH MY BUDDY

Volunteers hold one-on-one reading sessions with 2nd and 3rd grade students at JPS elementary schools to build fluency and comprehension skills throughout the school year.

READ TO SUCCEED

Volunteers assist with a weeklong summer camp hosted by the Mississippi Children’s Museum for JPS students who have failed their 3rd grade reading test.

SUMMER HELPING HANDS

Volunteers work on several different summer initiatives, including Stewpot’s Lunch-n-Learn series, Operation Shoestring’s Summer Reading Program, Language of Art summer camp at Magnolia Speech School, and Backpack Buddies with JPS.