Looking for a meaningful way to have a positive impact on a child's life?
Want an easy way to give back to your community? Join Power Readers as a mentor!
Power Readers is a one-on-one mentoring program that connects volunteers with elementary school students to read together for one hour a week. No lesson plans, no testing. Instead, through weekly sessions with a caring mentor, children become stronger readers, more confident individuals, and find joy in reading.
Power Readers mentors are matched with a student at the start of each school year. The mentor and student then spend an hour a week together, reading books and stories of their choice. Mentors must be able to attend weekly in-person Power Readers sessions at their selected school. With school holidays, class trips, and other scheduling events, the commitment is for approximately 25 hours over the course of a school year. Consistent attendance is a requirement.
Learn more about what it means to be a Power Readers mentor below or email us at [email protected].
What our volunteers say about being a Power Readers Mentor:
SCHOOL YEAR 2024-25 POWER READERS SESSION SCHEDULE
2300 Key Blvd., Arlington, VA
Monday, Thursday, Friday
- Session 1: 10:20am -11:20am
- Session 2: 10:50am - 11:50am
- Session 3: 11:20am - 12:20pm
- Session 4: 1:10pm - 2:10pm
1150 5th Street SE, DC
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Session 1: 10:50am - 11:50pm
- Session 2: 11:25am -12:25pm
- Session 3: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
- Session 4: 12:35pm - 1:35pm
1001 G Street SE, DC
Thursday, Friday
- Session 1: 11:20am - 12:05pm
- Session 2: 12:20pm - 1:20pm
- Session 3: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
660 K St. NE, DC
Tuesday, Wednesday
- Session 1: 11:30am - 12:30pm
- Session 2: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
- Session 3: 12:40pm - 1:30pm
Thomson Elementary School
1200 L St. NW, DC
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- Session 1: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Session 2: 11:30am - 12:30pm
- Session 3: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
13313 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD
Tuesday, Thursday
- Session 1: 11:25am - 12:30pm
- Session 2: 12:05pm - 1:05pm
*There are no virtual afterschool sessions scheduled for the 2024-25 school year.
VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE
Power Readers mentors must hold an active volunteer clearance from the jurisdiction in which they plan to mentor. For example, a mentor who reads with a DCPS student needs to obtain a volunteer clearance from DCPS. The clearance process is external to EWDC and varies depending on the jurisdiction. More information can be found in our EWDC Clearance Guide. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email [email protected].
- Clearance Application for DC Public Schools. Process includes an application and fingerprinting. Volunteers will be issued a clearance letter from DCPS that is valid for 2 years.
- Clearance Application for Montgomery County Public Schools. Process includes a short training video. Upon completion, MCPS will issue a grade report. The clearance is valid for 3 years.
- Clearance Application for Arlington County Public Schools. Process includes an application and short training video. Upon completion, APS will issue a certificate that is valid for 3 years.
*Schools do not provide EWDC with completed clearances. Volunteers must send a copy of their clearance to [email protected]. Once EWDC has proof of clearance, a volunteer can be matched with a student.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Power Readers program year begin? When does it end?
Power Readers is aligned to the school year, with sessions starting in October and running through May. New mentors can join the program in October, November, and December of each program year. There are no sessions on holidays or school breaks.
Will I read with more than one student during the year?
No. Mentors are matched with one student each year. It's this time spent together that helps students build literacy and social-emotional skills. Once matched, reading pairs can stay together each year until the student leaves the program or graduates from elementary school.
Can I help recruit additional mentors?
Yes! EWDC is always looking for more mentors to match with Power Readers students. If you know someone who is interested in mentoring, please send them our Power Readers Mentor Recruitment Flyer, share this page, or tell them to EWDC at [email protected].
Is there a requirement to undergo a background check?
Yes. Power Readers mentors must complete and maintain a background clearance from the jurisdiction in which they plan to read (DC, Arlington, Montgomery County). These processes are external to EWDC and vary depending on the school district.
Can I use my federal clearance in place of the DCPS clearance requirements?
In part, yes. While all volunteers must complete the volunteer application, DCPS allows individuals who have an active secret or top-secret federal security clearance to complete a Federal Security Clearance Verification letter in lieu of being fingerprinted. The signed verification form and a copy of a state issued photo ID should be emailed to [email protected]. There is no similar process for Arlington or Montgomery County.
Do you provide training and support for mentors?
Yes. All Power Readers mentors must complete a program orientation and are provided additional training and support by EWDC staff. In addition, EWDC staff is on-site at each Power Readers school and supports each session to ensure reading pairs have the support they need.
