Power Lunch, an exciting weekly reading program designed for corporate volunteers to read aloud with third-grade students, successfully launched in four DPS schools this fall. Power Lunch was created in partnership with Mile High United Way, Denver Public Schools, and the Denver Public Schools Foundation in an effort to help improve literacy.
Each week, Power Lunch volunteers visit DPS classrooms and spend 45 minutes reading aloud with their partner student. Although, greater literacy is the ultimate goal, a very valuable mentor relationship is also developing between the students and volunteers infusing needed adult support and encouragement to student’s lives.
The following schools and companies are currently participating in Power Lunch; Ashford University partnered with Smith Renaissance Elementary, Mile High United Way partnered with College View Elementary, EKS&H partnered with Place Bridge Academy, and Polsinelli Shughart PC and Van Gilder partnered with Columbine Elementary.
Feedback from both the schools and volunteers has been overwhelmingly positive. Below are several impressions of the program from Ashford University team members, Power Lunch volunteers at Smith Renaissance Elementary.
“It was adorable. You could tell the students were really excited, so were the volunteers. Mariah (my buddy) is a great reader and flew through an entire book. I’m just really excited to get to know her and challenge her with her reading. I didn’t hear anyone say anything bad about the entire experience. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
“This was absolutely amazing! The little girl I am paired with is Alyssa, we shared what our favorites foods and animals were, if we had $20 million dollars what would we do with it and laughed and giggled through the entire meeting. While she read, I helped her sound out words, and even assisted her in spelling, telling her to break the words up by syllable so it wasn’t too complicated or intimidating. Once she figured out to break up the words, she got a huge smile on her face and said, “this will make it so much easier.”
Many volunteers are reporting similar experiences and saying Power Lunch is the highlight of their work-week! Interested to learn more or volunteer for Power Lunch with your business or organization? Please contact Nicole Capage-Brown at ncapage-brown@dpsfoundation.org or 720-423-3226.