Reading Changed My Life - Townsend Press

Reading Changed My Life! Three True StoriesBut the Center is far more than a library. Besideslending books, it provides many other activities forchildren. Retired teachers offer tutoring. Childrenproduce works of art in a crafts room, with suppliesdonated by the local Barnes & Noble store. Plays,concerts, parties, and author’s book-signings takeplace in the center’s auditorium. Writing classesencourage children to get their thoughts down onpaper. Student teachers from a nearby college comein to help. Doctors and nurses and dentists volunteertheir time to check the kids’ hearing and visionand teeth. Guest readers come in often, sometimesfrom local schools. “The kids love seeing theirteachers and principals come into their neighborhood,”Julia says.And Julia loves to see a wide variety of peoplebecome involved with the Center and its kids.“Every time another person sits down with the children,the kids are learning life skills. Not just bookskills. These kids are as smart and capable as any82