History
Started in 2004 at the request of the Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent of Schools, Roberta and Clay Klein started a fund at the Desert Community Foundation and asked the pastor of their church for his assistance in recruiting volunteers. Father Howard Lincoln of Sacred Heart Church readily agreed. The District had been using English speaking volunteers to the extent, they could get them to go into the schools in the district that had no English speaking people in the community. Roberta asked the Superintendent if he would provide buses if they could recruit volunteers who were fluent in English through churches and other organizations.
Read With Me was born and now brings volunteers from seven churches to five different schools. The schools are all in areas of high poverty with a majority of the parents untrained in academic English. They love their children but cannot help them with English.
In 2013, Read With Me received a Golden Bell Award for English Acquisition from the California School Board Association. We believe the program is totally replicable in other areas that face similar challenges in providing tutoring and mentoring for disadvantaged children in a classroom setting.
What we do
In the classroom, the teacher assigns individual volunteers to selected students to listen to them read, assisting them with pronunciation and comprehension. The mentor/tutors are typically retired part-time Coachella Valley residents, some with special skills who help specific students go beyond the basic.
Read With Me
Honored with the Golden Bell award for English Acquisition by the California School Board Association and the 2022 GuideStar Silver Seal of Transparency
Volunteer Programs
It is with great honor and enthusiasm that Read With Me Volunteer Programs, nominates Pat Harris for the esteemed title of Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the desert community. Pat's unwavering dedication to education, service, and philanthropy over the past 13 years has truly set her apart as a remarkable individual.
Pat's commitment to education shines through her devoted involvement with Read With Me Volunteer Programs. As a tutor and executive board member for the past 5 years, she has tirelessly worked to uplift students and provide them with the essential tools for success. Her impact extends beyond the classroom, as she selflessly organizes annual fundraisers at her home, directing the proceeds towards benefiting students in the Coachella Valley. Pat's compassion knows no bounds, as demonstrated by her heartfelt gesture of personally purchasing Christmas gifts for the 60 students she volunteers for, spreading joy during the holiday season.
Beyond her education-focused efforts, Pat's involvement in various nonprofit organizations highlights her dedication to the holistic development of the community. Her daily attendance at Sacred Heart for mass showcases her strong faith and commitment to spiritual growth. Pat's philanthropic spirit further extends to her engagement with numerous other nonprofit initiatives, exemplifying her belief in giving back and creating positive change.
Pat Harris is a shining example of selflessness, compassion, and tireless commitment to bettering the lives of those around her. Her impact on education, her community, and beyond is immeasurable and deserving of the highest recognition. As an advocate for positive change and a beacon of hope, Pat embodies the very essence of the Citizen of the Year award.