Through its first three years of operation, Reading to the Others developed a network of over 3,000 volunteers who read to people in care homes and other organizations in 4 cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Irakleio and Chania) with a total number of 850 beneficiaries, 450 of whom are elderly. Reading to the Others extensively trains its many volunteers.
Reading Program for the Elderly
The grant regards the expansion of the reading services offered to nonprofit care homes, through a funding collaboration with the Embassy of the United States. More specifically, the expansion of the program will be implemented by a full-time coordinator, and will be split into two pillars. The first pillar includes reading by volunteers to individuals living in care homes. Ten nonprofit care homes in Attica will be added to 11 pre-existing ones. The weekly readings will be carried out by 50 volunteers who will receive specialized training on therapeutic reading by psychologists and social workers. The second pillar involves an intergenerational program, whereby 60 students from 12 high schools will read traditional stories to elderly living in 10 care homes. These students will also undergo specialized training. The direct beneficiaries of both pillars are the 400 elderly residents of nonprofit care homes across Attica.
Through its first three years of operation, Reading to the Others developed a network of over 3,000 volunteers who read to people in care homes and other organizations in 4 cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Irakleio and Chania) with a total number of 850 beneficiaries, 450 of whom are elderly. Reading to the Others extensively trains its many volunteers.
Reading Program for the Elderly
The grant regards the expansion of the reading services offered to nonprofit care homes, through a funding collaboration with the Embassy of the United States. More specifically, the expansion of the program will be implemented by a full-time coordinator, and will be split into two pillars. The first pillar includes reading by volunteers to individuals living in care homes. Ten nonprofit care homes in Attica will be added to 11 pre-existing ones. The weekly readings will be carried out by 50 volunteers who will receive specialized training on therapeutic reading by psychologists and social workers. The second pillar involves an intergenerational program, whereby 60 students from 12 high schools will read traditional stories to elderly living in 10 care homes. These students will also undergo specialized training. The direct beneficiaries of both pillars are the 400 elderly residents of nonprofit care homes across Attica.
