What is Read & Lead™?
The Read & Lead™ program is a one-on-one reading improvement program conducted by high school students to teach young emergent readers in the early years of elementary school to love and enjoy books.
How does it work?
Key Clubbers are asked to mentor a child by donating one hour of their time a week to read stories and books to an elementary school child who is struggling with the task of reading. By reading books and becoming the child's reading friend, the Key Clubber becomes a positive role model and mentor. 
Why is reading to children important?
Twenty percent of adults in the United States are illiterate. The number is growing. These adults can't even read to their own children. Educators tell us reading to children is the first step in learning to read. Key Clubbers are asked to help end this cycle by demonstrating the joy of reading as a "reading friend."
Why should our Key Club start a Read & Lead™ program?
The Key Club motto is "Caring - Our Way of Life." What better way to show that Key Club cares than by helping a young child love and enjoy books and reading.Moreover, #3 of the Nine Recommended Projects by Key Club International is the buddy program. The Read & Lead™ program fits perfectly. Please read the third of the Nine Recommended Projects:
"3. Buddy program: The objectives of this program center around children by opening new opportunities of education and recreation to the youth; by adding to the mature growth of the young in our society; by providing a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen; and to be a "buddy" while appreciating the needs of the individual."
"I personally believe there is no better way to prepare children for the future
than by reading to them. Start while they are young. Begin with children's books
..."- Retired General
Norman Schwarzkopf
"In order for
children to effectively compete in society, they must be able to read. READ
to your children. Show them how much fun reading can be."
- Former President
George Bush
"The Read & Lead™
program is an excellent project for every Key Club. It's a great way for Key
Clubbers to fulfill the International Theme: 'If you help them play ...' I
recommend it 100%."
Robert L. Bottsford
Administrator
Alabama District
Key Club International
"The Key Club
is conducting the Read & Lead™ improvement program in my school, and
it is a big success! Our students love for the Key Clubbers to read to them.
I think the Key Clubbers are enjoying it as much as the elementary school
students. Read & Lead is the type of mentoring program that will make a big
difference in the lives of young children. Thank you, Key Club."
Beth McMullen
Principal
Verner Elementary School
"A student-to-student
reading improvement program such as Read & Lead™ is a dynamite idea!
It promises to make a huge dent in America's literacy problem."
Penny McAllister
Librarian
Central Elementary School
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