CSUN’s Jumpstart is launching a new reading program where student volunteers read to kids in early education centers to promote literacy.

The Readers Club Program will have volunteers visit San Fernando Early Education Center and Maxwell Early Education Center once to twice a week. At the centers they will read a book and sing a song. Additional activities may be conducted depending on whether volunteers would like to do so.

“Our readers program is supplemental program in addition to the services we provide during the week,” said Danielle Watson, Jumpstart program coordinator.

Jumpstart hires work-study eligible college students and trains them to work in early education institutions serving economically-disadvantaged kids. The goal is to prepare children to succeed in school by focusing on literacy and school readiness skills, according to a webpage about Joyce Munsch, founder of the Department of Child and Adolescent Development at CSUN.

Shirley Vien, a Jumpstart volunteer, said a meeting was held at the end of March to review the responsibilities and logistics of the Readers Club.

The new program is an extension of other literacy activities conducted by Jumpstart, such as Hooray Library!, where students read to children at Pacoima library every other week.

Students interested in volunteering for this program can visit Sequoia Hall 280A between 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or email csunjumpstartvc@gmail.com for more information.