The answer is yes. Many students in the Allen County School District just need someone that is willing to give a few minutes of their time each week to help a student improve their reading skills or someone who will just have lunch with them. The time with the child will make a difference. 

   At the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, a second grade student at the Allen County Primary Center was struggling. The little boy just could not master reading. As many of his friends were progressing in developing reading skills, this youngster was finding reading difficult. The child began to dread to read---or even attempt to read. 

   His teacher along with Mrs. Kathy Clark recognized the young man would benefit from being paired with a POL Partner. Soon, the boy was able to work one-on-one with a pair of volunteers . For about 30  minutes twice-a-week, the boy spent time getting help with his reading. 

   By the end of the school year in May, the student no longer dreaded to read. He had "caught up" with his classmates and was able to read at grade level. The volunteers had made a difference. 

    “Last year, I felt horrible about my reading,” explained the now third-grade student at the Primary Center, “My confidence level in reading wasn’t very good. I felt bad because I couldn’t read. Now, I feel good about reading. It helped me because somebody stepped up and helped."  


   Yes, the need is there. You can make a difference.