HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The Deputy Commanding General and Senior Commander of Redstone Arsenal Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion escaped her meetings to read aloud to a second grade class at University Place Elementary, Feb. 4.
This engagement is part of the Adopt a School program, which was recently revitalized under McQuistion's guidance. Participation waned in recent years to just one volunteer, but this year AMC refocusing its efforts to the local elementary.
"It is great for our kids to see leaders in the community reading," said Lisa Hachar, Principal of University Place Elementary. "It helps everything make sense for the kids. This allows them to see why they come to school every day. Here we have a motto that choice matter and by stressing literacy it makes a positive impression on our kids."
Approximately 30 students are participating in the program for one-on-one tutoring.
"We saw a need for volunteers to devote their time and efforts to help stress literacy," said Giovanni Cole, program lead for the Adopt the School program. "This year we have approximately 27 volunteers participating."
Additionally, the Adopt a School program coordinates volunteers to read aloud to classes every first and third Thursday of the month throughout the school year.
"This is part of our effort to help strengthen the community and the best way to do that is through educating our youth," said Cole.
Sgt. Maj. Ron Brooks, AMC's chaplain and volunteer echoed these sentiments.
"I want to impact the community at the grass roots. I believe tutoring and mentoring the scholars (students) at University Place Elementary was one of the many ways I could that," said Brooks. "For the ones that have been let down over and over again, I try to be as consistent with my visits and caring as possible to rebuild their trust again in others. I want to become a listening avenue for them to share highlights and low periods of their week with. The slogan of UPES is: Where choices Matter, I want to help them make the right choice."
To someone on the fence about volunteering, Brooks says, "One of the easiest way to change the face of the world is to volunteer some time with our youth of today. We have become a society that is obsessed with our own little worlds and well being that we neglect to input into our youth's future. Step out and commit to two sessions, and you will then be soon looking forward for Tuesdays to come around."
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