Smithfield Kiwanis Club, with support from its community partners, Luter Family YMCA, Smithfield Library, Christian Outreach Program, Isle of Wight County Schools and Smithfield Woman’s Club, began the IsleREAD Initiative. IsleREAD’s mission is to work with our schools to augment their efforts to bring at-risk students up to reading standards with their peers, according to a news release. Since its start last year, there are now 30 vetted volunteers to work one-on-one with kindergarten students on a weekly basis.
Presently, volunteers are working with Hardy Elementary School, but as the program grows Kiwanis hopes to expand the program’s reach with the help of its partners and the community.
“Our pool of volunteers consists of many community professionals including a local minister, a veterinarian, a professor, a librarian and many more,” Kiwanis officials said in the news release.
Anyone interested in joining the effort is invited to attend Kiwanis meetings held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Smithfield Station. Enjoy fellowship and lunch and consider becoming part of an organization dedicated to serving the community’s youth. Additionally, Kiwanis generally hosts guest speakers on the second and third Thursdays of the month.