“Reading is important, because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.”—Tomie dePaola, Author of Legend of the Blue Bonnet and others

Volunteers are signing up and being trained, teachers are busy assessing the kids reading levels to be sure to meet them where they are and help them move forward, and some of us are beginning to meet our young charges, ready to embark on one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. Personally, I can’t wait to begin again with two new Reading Buddies. It is amazing how quickly those first day jitters, caused from meeting your Reading Buddy for the first time, dissolve into a warm, comfortable, highly anticipated time each week that you look forward to sharing.

So to all of our Reading Buddies, don’t be bashful about telling everyone you encounter how wonderful being a Reading Buddy actually is. Be a spokes person for kids who all need as many caring adults in their lives as they can get. Tell anyone who will listen that you are a tutor/mentor to a child or maybe four. We never have enough volunteers. Let’s be sure that when they get to 3rd grade, our students will be able to read to learn because we, the adults in their lives, knew that if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.

Please remember that on October 10, we are hosting our annual major fundraising event, our SAYL Fall Luncheon. In order for us to continue to offer our Reading Buddy Program to the children of San Antonio at no cost to the school districts with whom we partner, we need much needed funds to cover our program expenses. Please consider attending our luncheon or making a donation to SAYL as an investment to the future of our children and our community.

Dr. Deborah Valdez, Executive Director