2 Cares for the Community has teamed up with Reading Partners to spread the word about the importance of childhood literacy.
According to Reading Partners, only one in four Oklahoma fourth graders is reading at a proficient level.
So we want to highlight those who are making a difference one book at a time.
Fourth grader, Kevin Ponceano Dominguez says, "It's fun to learn about more things."
Luckily for fourth grader Kevin Ponceano Dominguez he can learn about more things.
"I learn more about what I'm reading, and sometimes it helps me in reading class."
With the help of his reading partners tutor, Aldo Cornejo.
"I like it because I can interact with students first-hand, and I can teach them about reading," says Cornejo.
Aldo is a student at Tulsa Community College who volunteers with reading partners six hours a week, helping Kevin with something Aldo himself had problems with.
Aldo says, "I did struggle little bit when I was learning too, so just to see them be part of a change is really important. It will be perfect for them because I do believe they're going to be the next generation, which will fill in our steps."
That's why Kevin is thinking big.
"I like to learn science and how the body works, so then if I become a doctor, I'll know how the body works," says Kevin.
An ambitious path Aldo thinks Kevin is already on.
"Right now he's more able to read to me, and he speaks a little bit louder especially when we began, he was a little bit shy, but right now he's doing amazing."
Aldo is one of several reading partners tutors helping kids in Tulsa. But the program is still looking for about 500 more volunteers for the rest of the school year.
"I know it looks like a lot at first, but it's really easy, especially with all the help I received as a tutor, and how they help us with the curriculum."
Tutoring ends the first week of May so you have about 12 more weeks to volunteer.
For more information on how to volunteer at Reading Partners, click here.
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