FAQ
What is Journey into Reading?
Why did I start JIR?
How long has JIR been around?
Where do the books come from?
How can I make a donation?
What has been the public reaction to JIR?
Tell us about your website...
What is Journey into Reading?
JIR is a local early literacy program staffed by volunteers (two or three per session) who read to individual children and families in Champlain Centre Mall between 4:30 and 6:00 each Thursday. After the children hear a book or two (or three!) they get to chose a FREE book to take home. Parents are given informative flyers we have prepared. By means of which parents are encouraged to make reading with and to their children a daily habit.
The program takes place right in the center of the Mall. It has excellent visibility and good cooperative supportive from the Mall’s staff. Seventy to eighty children are read to each week. Typically, forty of them are new; the rest are repeaters. Families (and children) are encouraged to come as often as they can.
Why did you start JIR?
I taught at the Elementary School level for thirty-five years, and every year observed anew how crucial early literacy was for initial and continuing success in school. When I say early literacy I mean not only in school but also pre-school, extending down to toddler-age and before.
It was clear to me that children who were read to early were prepared to love learning. I wanted to do something to encourage parents to read to their children on a daily basis. In JIR we both tell and show parents how important it is to read to babies and young children. We also model various techniques to use when reading to children, and provide flyers offering helpful hints for reading at home, and ways to extend the reading experience at home with the children. We give them great new books to read. We invite them to come back each week for more books, and to learn from our volunteers’ substantial experience. We encourage them and their children to make reading together a regular part of their lives.
How long has JIR been around?
JIR began in May (our Month of the Young Child here in Plattsburgh) of 1998. We began modestly, by reading books donated by Mountain Lake PBS to children two days during the month. In May 2002 a parent told me that her son entered kindergarten as a reader because she had heard us back in ’98 talking about the importance of early reading. She said she started then…and never stopped.
Armed with that story we applied to become a Reading is Fundamental site, got approval, and began our reading aloud and giving away books program every Thursday, from 2002 until now. That meant we had to raise money to pay for the books, and find a qualified corps of volunteers to staff the program as a regular weekly feature; we also needed to find space for the program.
The Champlain Centre management told us that Thursday was the best day to get contact with families in the Mall, and agreed to provide space for us without charge. And that’s how it happened that Thursday became JIR day!
Finding the volunteer staff was a relatively easy matter. Several current and retired teachers saw immediately the value in what we were doing, and offered their time without hesitation. Finding a continuing stream of money for the book purchases was more difficult. Even today it is a constant battle. Nevertheless, with various fund-raising efforts, coupled with the helpful RIF discounts and free shipping, across the last five years we have been able to give away over 18,000 books to children…some of whom come from as far away as Michigan and California. The most important things are that we have increasing become a regular weekly destination at the Mall for families, and that we are helping to spread the word that Reading is in fact Fundamental.
Where do the books come from?
I am extremely proud to live in a community that has responded generously to this program. Our service organizations, some businesses, the volunteer readers, the local Association for the Education of the Young Child staff members, Local Teachers’ associations, my friends, and my family have all donated enough money to keep JIR alive.
I order the books from companies that give RIF discounts, and occasionally from other publishing houses when they offer affordable specials. I also give workshops throughout the county, taking my “pay” in the form of book-purchase vouchers.
How can I make a donation?
Tax-deductible checks can be made out to Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country, an organization that has generously agreed to serve as our financial clearing house. The address is : CCCC, P.O. Box 2640, Plattsburgh NY 12901.
All money goes to pay the book invoices. There are no salaries, or hidden extras.
Gently used books can occasionally be recycled. They can be sent directly to me: Alice Sample, 7 Breezy Point Lane, Plattsburgh NY 12901. Or if possible call instead, and I’ll come get them. My number is (518) 561-4213.
What has been the public reaction to JIR?
The generosity of our community has made it possible to purchase the books we’ve given away…not to mention the volunteers who give their time freely to the program.
Parents repeatedly say, ”Oh, Wow!” Passersby stop to listen to the books being read and to enjoy the children’s faces. The children run to hug us, and can’t wait to hear the new books for the week. Many first-time visitors simply can’t believe that the reading and books are really free, with no “catches.” They quickly become convinced and often offer admiring comments.
The reaction from everyone has been universally positive. And for those of us doing the JIR…uplifting.
Tell us about your website...
Our web page was constructed and is maintained by a neighbor, Dan McCullum, who likewise volunteered his time and service.