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 Upcoming events, Reading Buddy updates, & more!
Your Monthly News & Updates - December 2019
Note from our Executive Director

"Mankind was my business... charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business." 

Charles Dickens (1845). "A Christmas Carol in Prose: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas" 

This month I have decided to dedicate my message to all of you who know what our "business" during our time here on Earth should be. No matter what our religious persuasion, most of us are familiar with Charles Dickens' classic Christmas tale about Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserable, miserly man who through redemption realized the power of the collective responsibility to mankind that we all share. 

Upcoming Events

Refer-A-Buddy Campaign
Now through February 2020

We will be kicking-off the 2020 Spring Semester with our "Refer-A-Buddy" campaign to increase our capacity to meet the needs of more San Antonio students. We hope this campaign will create new ways for SAYL to grow and encourage more San Antonio students to become life-long readers. 

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Step 1 -  Share your experiences as a Reading Buddy with friends, family, and co-workers

Step 2 - Have them complete our online volunteer application and sign up for a Reading Buddy training session now through February.

Step 3 - Once your new Buddy attends training, you and your recruit will be entered to win great prizes!


Reading Buddy Tip 

Picture This! 
Tips for Using Mental Imagery While Reading

One way to help a child comprehend what they are reading is to encourage them to visualize parts of the story in their mind. These "mental movies" help clarify and increase understanding that extends throughout genres. The pictures they imagine can include any of the five senses. See the full tip here >>


Volunteer Spotlight

Congratulations to our Reading Buddy of the Month Katie Bridenbaugh. She first heard about our program after an SAYL representative made a presentation during a Sunday worship she attended. She loved the idea of working with the children in the school district where her children were, and since then has been with us for four years. Katie is a very positive and patient Reading Buddy who takes into consideration the likes and dislikes of each student she has served.  Read more here >>
School Spotlight

A big congratulations to our December school spotlight, Mead Elementary of Northside ISD. Their accommodating and welcoming spirit extends far beyond their time with the volunteers. The Amazing staff in their school go above and beyond to make sure the Reading Buddies and the students have the space that they need to continuously connect through the power of reading. Their wonderful dedication comes in many forms beyond wanting to increase reading levels. Mead Elementary also makes sure the smiles and bonds formed (and thank you notes!) in the program are exchanged.

Donor Spotlight

A special thank you to both Enterprise Holdings Foundation for their donation of $4,000 and to the Frankie Casseb Youth Literacy Club for their ongoing gift of $350, giving San Antonio Youth Literacy the opportunity to continue to deliver its SAYL Reading Buddy Program to children struggling to read on grade level.


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San Antonio Youth Literacy | 210.299.1533 | sayl.org