STARS Book Clubs
STARS Book Clubs:Education Solid Gold Neighbor
Holly Webb, Office and Projects Manager
Every child needs a constant within their life. With STARS Book Clubs, you could be just that for a student within the Waco community. STARS Book Clubs are a city-wide mentoring movement of volunteers. These volunteers from local churches partner with Prosper Waco and Waco ISD to invest in the future of our city through the power of reading and relationships. Weekly book clubs pair mentors with groups of two to three elementary-aged students that meet once a week during lunchtime, where they talk and read fun books together.
Initially, STARS Books Clubs provided volunteers for two local elementary schools – Provident Heights Elementary and Waco Charter School. During that time, across 2nd-5th grade, both schools noted significant improvement in state reading achievement tests compared to other local schools. Now, STARS Book Clubs volunteers meet with over 1,000 students across 13 schools in Waco. Beyond reading scores, the relationships formed between mentors and students often lead to students’ emotional and social growth, boosting self-confidence while equipping them with skills critical for the future.
When asked one of his favorite memories of the STARS Book Clubs, Director Michael Jeter stated, "At one of the campuses where STARS Book Clubs are present, there was a 3rd grade boy that seemed very distant, shy, and generally unresponsive to most adult interaction. That student began attending a book club every week, and soon his demeanor began to change. A once unengaged student who did not say more than a few words, he now rushes to greet his mentor, opens up about his life, and even offers to begin reading once their Book Club begins. The impact that one caring, consistent adult can make in a child's life is astonishing, and we get to witness hundreds of these interactions happening across our city each week."
Today, STARS Book Clubs has seen mentors from 40 different churches represented in their volunteer pool! Jeter explained that "seeing so many people come together to serve our community is such an amazing part of living here, and I’m so thankful to call Waco home."
If you are interested in becoming a mentor for STARS Book Clubs, you can find more information at starsbookclubs.com