Spring Into Reading!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Spring by Eric Carle

From the beloved creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this charming story introduces young readers to the wonders of spring through the eyes of a curious caterpillar. With vibrant illustrations and simple, engaging text, children explore blooming flowers, buzzing insects, and the changing seasons.

This book is especially great for early readers because it:

Encourages observation of nature
Builds seasonal vocabulary
Connects reading to real-life experiences

It’s a wonderful choice for parents and tutors looking to make reading both educational and fun during the spring months.

🌷 More Spring Reading Ideas

To keep the momentum going, consider adding a few more spring-themed books to your child’s collection:

Stories about planting and gardens
Books featuring animals and life cycles
Nature walks paired with reading time

Reading doesn’t have to stay indoors—take a book outside, read under a tree, or let your child spot things from the story in real life.

Rallies for Reading

On Sunday, March 29^th , thirty pickleball enthusiasts of all skill levels gathered at Spring Pickleball East to support the inaugural Rallies for Reading fundraiser hosted by Endeavour Church. Endeavor Church is a newly planted church in Northeast Colorado Springs that’s 2026 focus is “Compassion for the City”.

Each month, the church selects a local nonprofit to support and chose the Children’s Literacy Center for their March passion project. All registrants enjoyed a full morning of pickleball, relaxing massages provided by the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy, and a delicious lunch courtesy of Bubba’s33.

The Children’s Literacy Center’s and Endeavour Church business supporters generously contributed gift certificates and a variety of items for both players and the prize drawing. The inaugural event was a great success, rallying the community in support of young readers.

🌊 Make a Splash This Summer

Our summer sessions are designed to provide consistent, supportive tutoring for children who benefit from extra help. Volunteers work one-to-one to encourage growth in fluency, comprehension, and confidence.

📅 Program Details

Sessions resume in June
Duration: Four weeks
Locations: Multiple sites across Colorado

📚 No Teaching Experience Needed

We provide training, materials, and ongoing support. All you need is a willingness to show up, encourage a young reader, and share your time.

💙 Why Volunteer?

Help children strengthen essential reading skills
Build meaningful connections with students
Be part of a community dedicated to literacy and learning
Make a direct impact in just a few hours a week

Become A Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight - Richard "Dick" Patrick

Since joining us in 2021, Richard “Dick” Patrick has been a steady and compassionate presence in our tutoring program in Woodland Park. His dedication to helping young readers grow in confidence and skill reflects a deep belief in the power of literacy.

For Dick, volunteering is about making a meaningful difference:

“Reading is foundational, and if I can help a youngster improve their reading skills, it’s the least I can do.”

That simple yet powerful mindset shows up in every session he leads. Whether he’s encouraging a hesitant reader or celebrating a breakthrough moment, Dick understands that building literacy also builds confidence, and that can shape a child’s entire future.

We’re incredibly grateful for Dick’s continued commitment to our students and community. Volunteers like him are at the heart of everything we do.

Staff Spotlight - Sami Garrett

Sami manages all incoming tutors through various channels including work-study programs, volunteers from the community and high school students. She guides each new applicant through the onboarding process and ensures that tutors are fully prepared and confident in their new role. Sami also works as a recruiter to help spread the word about our program, make new relationships within the community and help keep our sites staffed.

After leaving the dental and insurance fields, Sami wanted to dip her toe into non-profits as a way to continue to be of service to her community. Starting as a site coordinator with the program, she quickly realized the joy she felt in being part of something that made such a difference for children who are struggling. As a mom to an eight-year-old daughter herself, she has a soft spot for children in-need. With a passion for reading and children, the job fit and has stuck ever since.