Intergenerational Reading Collaboration (IRC) is a program that pairs adults and children across generations to read together, improving literacy skills for students while fostering connection, mentorship, and social benefits for older adults.

The Creslane IRC Reading Program brings adults and children together in elementary classrooms for reading instruction in small groups under the direction of the teacher. Volunteers receive training and support to realize the shared goal of building the child’s strong literacy ability by fourth grade. Children must learn to read by the third grade so that they can read to learn for the rest of their school experience.

A team of volunteers work with students in small groups. Recruitment is ongoing for additional volunteers. Ideally, 15 additional volunteers are needed to cover K-3 classrooms daily.

The IRC Reading Program is modeled after the successful Baltimore School District Experience Corps that has been in operation for more than two decades. The Baltimore program regularly demonstrates:

• Better Academics: Elementary students have higher test scores when compared to similar elementary school classrooms without the intervention,
• Improved School Climate: There are fewer behavioral issues and reduced security incidents, and
• Better Older Adult Health and Well Being: Older adult volunteers indicate they feel better about themselves, are less isolated with a strong social support system and have increased physical activity.

A number of the IRC volunteers are members of Creswell Church of Christ, and have been for 12 years now. This is a local program we support strongly, and work to make sure all kids are learning to read.

Please click below to go to the Creswell School District website and page for IRC to learn more about the program and how to volunteer!