DKG: How Can Volunteers Impact Literacy?

What is DKG - Delta Kappa Gamma?  Delta Kappa Gamma is an International Society for Key Women Educators.  Their theme - "Sharing our Vision, Strengthening Our Society."  On June 14, I was invited to serve on a panel discussion to answer the question, "How can volunteers make an impact on literacy?"  Earlier in the week,  I had attended the Upper Mississippi Conference on Poverty and listened several times to Ruby Payne speak.  My approach to this question was with an eye on resolving difficult situations for families that will directly impact success in literacy.  

Beverly Helms, International President of DKG, served as moderator

Other panelists included two instructional coaches from Davenport (Cindy Schollaert and  Jolene Whittemore) and a Dean of Students/Counselor (Danelle Breier) from Bettendorf

How can volunteers impact literacy?
The greatest way you can assist with literacy in a home is to provide services to families in poverty.  These services are should not be a HAND OUT but a HAND UP.   Across America 46 million live in poverty -15% of our population. It is the highest it has ever been since they began keeping records.  In Iowa the poverty rate is 12.7% with the children poverty rate at 15.4%.  The poverty training of Ruby Payne known as “Bridges out of Poverty" provides many simple ways that volunteers could assist schools with the growing issue of poverty which, in turn, have potential to impact literacy.  Those ideas shared include:

1. Provide mentoring to a struggling mother.  Take her for coffee and simply discuss how things are going for her.  This type of mentoring program could be set up through community resources.  People in poverty value relationships more than they value getting out of their situation.  It is when you are in a relationship, you can offer tips to her about reading to her children.  (Flapjacks, mentoring the malnourished)
2. In the schools many times organizations give books to children.  I would suggest the first gift given is a bookshelf so they have a special place to keep their books.  In many of the homes there is chaos, and a place to help with this organization of books would be beneficial. 
3. Provide magnets to families with a saying about literacy for refrigerators.  This is another organizational tool that would help keep spelling lists, vocabulary work, homework in one spot.
4. Offer to eat lunch once a week with a child.  This could be a study lunch, a time of relationship building, or a time to read together after eating.  Some schools have a program where a student read with a mentor then they either read after lunch or walk and talk.
5. Organize a backpack program that sends home food with families for the weekend meals.  A child cannot concentrate on literacy if they are worried about where their next meal is.  (Theisen’s has organized one such program in Jackson County.  Some schools title it "Pack a Snack."
6. Serve on a Habitat for Humanity committee or board.  Offer to assist a family in completing the application and organize the necessary paperwork.
7. Provide a shared book experience with a student.  Offer to read the same book s/he is reading and then via email, snail mail, or blog share a summary and perspective on the book.  This provides a real-world application for the reading.
8. Volunteer at the public library to assist students as a reading buddy.

Additional ideas include:

1. Provide transportation to a mother to get to her appointments.  Transportation difficulties are what keep many people in poverty in that situation.  They have no way to travel to educational opportunities.  You might emphasize it is not a hand out and in response she can do something for you.  Does she have a craft she makes?  Could she bake you something?  Or you could tell her that when her situation improves, she could "pay it forward."
2. Provide packets to parents of newborns that contain flyers about the importance of reading along with a picture book.
3. Offer scholarships to parents to complete their GEDs along with providing childcare while s/he participates in these classes.
4. Organize a “Getting Ahead in a Getting By World” program in a neighborhood.  This is a Ruby Payne program providing guidance in organizing finances, identifying strengths and resources, understanding the hidden rules of social classes, and how to locate and apply for jobs.  Usually organizations and churches unite to provide supper with leftovers sent home to the families.  Child care is also provided by volunteers.  Those participating leave with a plan to implement to assist with the difficult challenges they are facing.   

On Sunday, June 15, I served as the keynote for their inspirational brunch.  The topic of the speech:  Learning - A Shared Journey of Discovery.

Over 150 attended this event.  Until this weekend, I was not familiar with the DKGs but now I look forward to becoming a member.  Beverly Helms, Delta Kappa Gamma International President, announced she was paying my dues for the first year.  Now I just have to wait to see if they vote me into this group of passionate educators!  Check this organization out at:  https://www.dkg.org