Volunteers are critical to the literacy movement, which is building stronger communities across the country by meeting the needs of those with literacy challenges. Volunteering allows you to put your skills and interests to work and helps you share the excitement that reading, writing and successful communication bring to a person's life.

Volunteering is a two-way street. When you give your time and expertise to literacy, you get back the satisfaction of improving lives and entire communities. You'll also have the chance to learn new skills and discover personal growth.

Some of the many ways you can make a difference as a volunteer in a literacy program include:

• Tutoring in an adult education or children's classroom
• Sharing your career expertise with parents
• Reading aloud to children and families
• Providing clerical support
• Serving as a Board member
• Donating money, materials or equipment
• Recruiting students and other volunteers
• Raising public awareness of the program in your community
• Advocating for community-wide support

Every volunteer opportunity is unique and draws upon different skills, but most require:

• Time — Only you know how much time you have available. There are many levels of volunteer participation in literacy programs, which require different amounts of time. Be realistic about your schedule.
• Commitment — Literacy students and teachers will be depending on you.
• Willingness to Learn — Be willing to share your skills, but also be willing to learn about your local program, its mission, the people it serves, and other volunteers' experiences.
• Regular/Open Communication — Keep program staff informed about what you're doing and how they can support you.
• Sensitivity — Literacy students often face many different challenges to succeeding, including negative feelings about school, low self-esteem, and economic instability. Every student also brings with him a wealth of personal experiences and knowledge.
• Encouragement — Students need you to affirm their strengths and accomplishments throughout their learning experiences.

To find out more about volunteering for literacy, visit the Thinkfinity Literacy Network. This free, online platform, supported by Verizon, is designed to empower teachers, volunteers, parents, caregivers and students of all ages with the tools to advance literacy development.