The COVID-19 pandemic brought the issue of childhood poverty to the forefront: fewer years of education, lower earnings, higher crime, and lower quality of health in adulthood. In fact, before COVID-19, 75% of Houston ISD students were impacted by poverty. But you can help!
One of the most impactful ways volunteers can help these children is by becoming a mentor for a same-gendered group of 3rd, 4th, or 5th-grade Houston ISD students through our Lunch Bunch program. Lunch Bunch partner schools are located in west Houston, Sharpstown, and 5th Ward.
Typically Lunch Bunch is hosted once per week (October-April) for 30 minutes during the students’ lunch period, where volunteer mentors use an easy-to-follow curriculum with their groups. To align with Houston ISD’s plans and ensure safety for all, Literacy Now will host Lunch Bunch virtually for the 2020-21 school year. If it’s safe to host in-person during the Spring 2021 semester, we will offer each mentor the option of either meeting in-person or continuing virtually with their students.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Ashley Dana at ashley@literacynowhouston.org.
