Since its founding in 1999, BookMates, an interfaith initiative of the JCRC of Southern NJ, has helped change the lives of thousands of children in Southern New Jersey.  With a dedicated group of over 200 carefully-trained volunteers, BookMates provides weekly, one-on-one read-aloud sessions to more than 600 at-risk students in nearly 40 schools. 

For these youngsters, the weekly presence of a caring, encouraging adult offers not just joy in the moment but the promise of empowerment in the future.

Most of these children have few, if any, books in their homes and many have never experienced the joy of having adults read to them.  Without books and read-aloud time at home, these kids often lack the foundation needed to learn to read. Even before they start school, their chance for success has been compromised. It is BookMates’ mission to tackle this problem head-on.

For 25 years, BookMates has seen children jump up and down with excitement when their special friends arrive for the read-aloud sessions. The sustained, personal attention from the volunteers boosts kids’ self-esteem as they sense themselves being liked and respected. And by making reading fun and joyful, rather than scary, the read-aloud time expands children’s vocabulary, improves their comprehension, and increases their motivation to learn to read. Struggling students begin to develop a can-do attitude that opens the door to success in school and beyond.

Almost since its inception, BookMates has drawn on resources in the wider community to develop innovative programs that extend the work of the core group of volunteers.