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 The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore held a special dinner to recognize the “School to Home Reading Program” Volunteer Coordinators and Mentors for the 2019-2020 School year.Winner of the 2018 Rotary International Literacy Award, this program was initiated in 2011 to help increase literacy levels at local St.  Catharines schools, while building confidence; encouraging family involvement and instilling the joy of reading in the students involved. Selected students from Grades 2-4 read to volunteer mentors October through April who encourages the students and critiques them, then the students take a book home to read to their family. This process repeats week by week.The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore maintains the program by recruiting, training and scheduling volunteers from local Niagara College and Brock University as well as retired teachers, librarians and other interested and committed community members to mentor weekly. The club also funds the purchase of “leveled” reading books each year. This is a win-win as mature students mentor younger ones, as well as receiving community hours and references. Each mentor received an envelope from the club with a Certificate of Appreciation. The Club was also happy to present each mentor with a small gift of appreciation. Pictured left (left to right) are Eric Jones, President; Dr. Emilio Raimondo, Literacy Committee Volunteer Chair; Linda Landry, English School Liaison. Pictured at right are the volunteer mentors along with President Eric. | ||