Volunteer Onboarding Guide

Welcome to Let’s Read, Neighbor! – Refugee Reading Program as a tutor! We are happy to have you as a part of our growing family. The goal of this reading program is to provide refugee children who have recently arrived in Phoenix a safe space to learn and practice English, and connect with a local family.

Below you can find step-by-step instructions and best practices.

• Pre-reading engagement:

1. Experience or training in education or ESL is not a requirement. This volunteer opportunity is open to anybody who cares about reading and connection with new neighbors in our community. This experience requires minimum weekly in person meetings with a family and their children to read to them or with them. Most families live in Central Phoenix, while some of them are located in Glendale and a few in Mesa.
2. When you decide to volunteer, please fill out the questionnaire and contact Melek Akgul-Lee via Facebook Messenger or email at melekakgul@gmail.com.
3. Look for Facebook group called “Let’s Read Neighbor – Refugee Reading Program” and request to be added, if you have not joined. Please do not publicly share any sensitive information about the family or children. If you have any questions about a sensitive situation, please contact Melek Akgul-Lee by email or on Messenger.
4. Once you are matched with a family, you will be provided with the name(s) of the parent(s), contact number, address, and name(s) and age(s) of their child(ren). Do not share it with others who are not part of the group.
5. Most families use Whats App and a translation app to communicate. Download Whats App and a translation app in case parents are not fluent in English.
6. Most families have requested a tutor for their children. So they are aware of the program. Melek informs them about their volunteer. So your matched family will expect to hear from you as soon as possible after your match is confirmed.
7. Contact your family to introduce yourself and discuss a time and place for your first meeting ASAP. Please be on time and remind the family be on time, if you are meeting outside of their home. Everybody’s time is important.
8. Review all the resources prior to visiting the family.
9. Preparation for first visit and reading session
   1. Review resources and different levels of books to assess their reading level
   2. Be prepared to bring sufficient copies of San Diego Quick Assessment Tool and level 1 and level 2 reading books. Most children are still at an early reading level in English regardless their age.
10. If you prefer having one more person with you during your first visit or have questions, please reach out to other volunteers on Facebook group page to find out if anybody is available to accompany you.
11. Provide updates about first visit and the progress of the child(ren) on Facebook group or via Messenger.

During the first and/or second visit:

1. Feel free to stop by a library to pick up a few books at different reading levels and bring a reading assessment tool for each child. Please do not assume they will have books.
2. Before starting to read, take the time to get to know them and the parents. You can bring a quick game to play with the children to break the ice and bond.
3. Use flashcards (like these) to:
   • Flash 26 letters (best with both upper- and lowercase on separate cards)... (the following numbers are how many times you'll cycle through the cards)
     1. Say letter name, they repeat
     2. Say letter sound, they repeat
   • Read them a book
     • from a local library
     • or use free stories online https://www.freechildrenstories.com/
4. Do a reading assessment and read aloud to them once.
5. Prior to reading a book, ask them to make a prediction of what the book is about by looking at the title and pictures, if there are any. Have them read aloud to you and make sure to give them a book at an appropriate level to build their confidence.
6. If you identify that they do not have basic level of understanding of the alphabet and phonics, go back to the alphabet and consider bringing flash cards in your next visit. Target or Dollar Store has flash cards for $1.
7. Make it fun and have fun! Help them choose books they are interested in reading and praise them for recognizing a letter, making a letter sound correctly, or reading a word. :)
8. Give them homework appropriate for their level such as reading a book that you will leave behind and keeping a reading log, writing the letters of the alphabet, and practicing words, etc.
9. It is recommended to arrange next meeting before you leave, if possible, and stay in touch with parents.
10. While it is not required, if volunteers want to go beyond reading, there are many resources to teach simple lessons on letter sounds, letter identification, and handwriting. Suggested activity by day:

First Day

• Bring a game or fun activity to break the ice and bond.
• Assess what letters they know (name and sound) https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8be1Uzq82Uvbm9XSENGQ2NLOWc
  • Pick 5 letters, 1 of which is a vowel (2 known, 3 unknown)
    • These letters are the basis of all the activities you should do with the family for however long it takes for them to master
    • Written letter review (name and sound) - You say the sound, they repeat and write the letter that makes the sound.
  • You can also use the following assessment: http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/dwalker/Documents/San%20Diego%20Quick%20Assessment.pdf

Throughout reading and learning experience:

1. Meet with your family at least once a week in person as regularly as possible. If anything changes in your ongoing availability and you cannot commit anymore, please contact Melek and discuss if there is a need to find another volunteer for the family.
2. Spread the word and be on the lookout for people who may be interested in volunteering.
3. You can use reading logs to track your child(ren)’s reading. Do not hesitate to give children reading and writing homework and encourage them to take this seriously.
4. If possible, take your family to a nearby library, sign them up for a library card, and show them how to borrow a book when you are not with them. Help children find a book that they are interested in reading.
5. If your family does not have a computer, contact Ranvier Sabot in our group. He runs PCs for Refugees which delivers donated PC to refugee families. They are loaded with English resources such as Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, pdf books. As children and parents advance in their reading, encourage them to use those resources throughout the week.
6. PCs for Refugees has a reading corner with a small library. It is located on 3443 N Central Ave, Suite 3, Phoenix AZ. Encourage your family to visit the reading corner or take them there and borrow books to read throughout the week.

Additional Considerations:

• Families have had a variety of experiences prior to coming to Phoenix. Some have learned English, while some do not speak English at all. Their children also vary in their level of language skills.
• Most families either have one car which is driven by the parent who goes to work during the week or they don’t have a car. So it is likely that you will need to meet them in their house. Feel free to take them to a nearby library.
• You may need to take your shoes off at the door. Many Middle Eastern families do not wear shoes inside their house.
• While we assume that most Syrian refugee families here are Muslim, we do not know if they practice Islam, a different religion, or anything. Please be mindful of their traditions when you visit them.
• Hospitality is very important in Middle Eastern culture. It is highly likely that the family will offer you food or tea and Arab/Turkish coffee. It may be seen as impolite to reject their offer.
• Some families may still need support to get connected with different resources for job, financial, housing assistance; or donations of furniture, appliances, clothes, and books. Please do not feel obligated to support the family financially because we would like to provide resources to improve self-sufficiency. Please join "Refugee Connection Phx” Facebook group and consult many experienced individuals on how to connect the family with resources. Families also have a case manager assigned by their resettlement agency. You can also adopt the family to help ease their transition to our community. Please contact Melissa Renee on Facebook for more information about sponsoring your family.