Reading a common denominator for young and old alike

For Norman Powell, 78, it started with a short train ride from Hermon Junction to Searsport. One day in October 2000, he climbed aboard the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, dubbed the “Read for Success Express.”

The special trip was a kickoff fund raiser for United Way of Eastern Maine’s Read for Success literacy program. But the event netted the United Way more than Powell’s donation. The organization also got a dedicated volunteer eager to read to children.

Powell, a retired teacher, was invited to join Born to Read, the senior component of the reading program, carried out by the United Way’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

The goal of these two programs is to encourage children to read and to develop a love for books.

Research shows that children who are read to at an early age have higher IQs, perform better in school and are more successful in life, said Paula Burnett, volunteer services coordinator for the United Way.

Initially, a survey was mailed to day care centers, Head Start programs and schools to determine whether there was any interest in having senior citizens read to the children. The response was overwhelmingly positive, she said. In fact, some child care providers have been put on a waiting list for volunteers.

“Some of the places that have volunteer readers actually prefer older people,” said Burnett. “They are seeking a type of grandparent image, while promoting intergenerational bonding.”

The arrangement works out nicely for the seniors as well. Some 50 percent of the Born to Read volunteers are retired teachers. This project fills a need for those who miss working with children.

“Born to Read is especially gratifying to those volunteers who don’t have grandchildren,” said Burnett.

That is certainly true for Norman Powell. Not having grandchildren himself, he looks forward to Thursdays when he tosses several books into his shoulder bag and heads to Kid’s Patch Day Care in Carmel.

“They say, ‘Oh, hi Mr. Powell,’ and come running when they see me,” he said. “One little boy even crawls up onto my lap.” Powell arrives at the day care center at 3:30 p.m. and spends the next 45 minutes reading to approximately 10 children between the ages of 2 and 7.

“I think it is great to have such a kind and wonderful male role model for the children, and they just love him,” said Linda Ricker, owner of Kid’s Patch.

“Norman reads them books and the Mini Page out of the Bangor Daily News. He is very interactive, always asking them questions and getting them involved. And sometimes, thanks to the United Way’s book drives, the children can take a book home.”

Powell is so appreciated that every holiday the children make him a special card, which each youngster painstakingly signs, Ricker said.

“This is such a great program because when the world of reading is opened up to children, it enhances their own reading development and social skills,” said Burnett. “And they get to see so much of the world through books that they wouldn’t see in their own back yards. And they can really bond with the person who is bringing this new world to them.”

Patti Scripture, lead teacher at Winnie the Pooh Nursery School, agrees.

“It is wonderful for the children to get the exposure of another loving person sharing their time and reading to them,” said Scripture. “And they love Deborah [Rand, volunteer reader at Winnie the Pooh]. They run right to her when they see her.”

The feeling is mutual, Rand said.

“I love the kids, and this really satisfies a need in me,” said Rand, 78. “I miss the children I taught for 16 years, and reading half an hour to 3-year-olds gives me the response I need.”

Everyone involved benefits from the program, said Burnett.

“I’m very proud to be affiliated with RSVP and this part of my job, because it is a win-win situation for the children, the volunteers and the day care providers and teachers,” she said. “When children read or are read to, they have all-around improved skills. These programs work.”

RSVP is open to anyone age 55 and older. Members receive mileage reimbursement to and from their assignment, as well as supplemental accident and liability insurance. A background check is required for those working with children.

For more information on RSVP and Born to Read, contact Paula Burnett at 941-2800.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA and its services, log on www.eaaa.org, or call Marilyn or Chuck at 941-2865.