Impact the life of a child this summer
Summer Reads VISTAs provide quality tutoring to K-3 children from low-income families. VISTAs serve in summer schools, libraries and community organizations, with the goal of helping children improve their literacy skills and fight the summer slide. Mornings are spent providing one-to-one literacy tutoring to children in summer schools. Afternoons are spent at community sites and libraries, where VISTAs find creative ways to incorporate literacy and enrichment activities into programming.
Gain experience, insight and sense of self
“This was by far one of the best summers I have ever had in my life! I have never felt so accomplished, yet at the same time have never had more of a drive to continue to make a difference in children’s lives.” - Summer Reads VISTA, 2011
Summer Reads VISTAs leave the program proud of their many accomplishments and experiences, and committed to continuing to make a difference. After their summer of service, VISTAs have a greater understanding of their own strengths and personal goals and build lasting personal and professional connections.
Benefits and eligibility
- Choice of $1,100 Education Award or $250 stipend
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $411-$449 (depending on county)
- Federal student loan forbearance
- Must be able to serve 8 weeks from June through August
- Must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen, national or legal permanent resident alien
- Cannot hold another job during your term of service
To apply
Metro Area
The application to be a 2012 Summer Reads VISTA in the metro Twin Cities area is now available! VISTAs in the metro area will serve from June 14-August 10, 2012.
To apply online through the AmeriCorps website, click here: Summer Reads Application-Metro Area. You must create an AmeriCorps account to apply. Applications are reviewed and interviews granted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2012. New priority deadline is April 10.
Greater Minnesota
The applications to be a 2012 Summer Reads VISTA thought Greater Minnesota are now available! Applications are reviewed and interviews granted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2012.
This year’s Greater Minnesota sites include:
Aitkin, MN - VISTA volunteers are instrumental in helping students to become engaged, confident, and motivated readers.
Austin, MN - Work with students from diverse cultures and backgrounds in rural Austin, MN. Use your creativity to develop and implement literacy activities for children age 4 – 9 at elementary summer school, low income housing, parks, public library and other community sites.
Barnum, MN - Do you remember the person who instilled your love of reading? You could have that impact on students in our program. Our Summer Reads Staff help students learn all about literacy while having fun!
Duluth, MN - Keeping youth engaged in exciting. educational enrichment activities over the summer months is key to their success during the school year, and we strive to help them maintain their success! VISTA members will have the opportunity to change a child’s life forever by being a part of our programs!
Ely, MN - Summer Reads is a collaboration between the Ely School District, the Ely Public Library and Ely Community Resource designed to assist students in K-3rd grade improve their reading ability. VISTA members will provide one-on-one and group reading help and other literacy activities.
Glencoe, MN - Summer Reads focuses on reducing the decline of literacy skills in children in grades K-3rd over the summer months, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the summer slide. VISTAs facilitate one-on-one or small group reading tutoring and other literacy activities.
Murdock, MN - Join the Kerhoven Murdock, Sunburg “Murdock Summer Reads” program. We are in need of two VISTA members to provide reading assistance to K-3 students.
Northfield, MN - Summer PLUS Program is for students who are in Grades k-8 who meet program criteria. Vistas will focus on literacy skills with K-3 students in small group or one to one help.
Pierz, MN - Horizon Health Summer Reads program engages preK-5 students in motivational literacy based activities in four towns in Morrison County. VISTA’s will tutor and engage students to meet their literacy goals.
St. Peter, MN - Make a difference this summer! –Be a VISTA in the St. Peter Reads Program! Work with young children to develop literacy skills at our community and school based programs!
Worthington, MN - Our summer program has been designed to help children succeed in school by improving their reading skills. Using a variety of teaching/tutoring strategies, the Summer Reads VISTAs will attempt to stimulate the children’s interest in reading and introduce them to the different worlds that can be explored through literature.
Questions?
Please contact Emily Sienkiewicz, Summer Reads Coordinator, at esienkiewicz@mnliteracy.org or 651-251-9063.
