School Partnerships: Richmond Vaile Elementary School

“Christina,” a 6th grade student at Vaile Elementary wanted to help younger students that were struggling with reading so CIS Coordinator, Bob McFarland, matched her with “Lance,” a 2nd grade student. Every Friday for half an hour, from November through April, Lance read the easy books to Christina and Christina read the harder books to Lance. Lance’s family moved before the end of the school year so, though his teacher noticed a marked improvement in his reading, it’s hard to know exactly how much. But the real story here is Christina’s: All the while she was helping Lance, Bob McFarland was working with Christina’s family to try to keep them from losing their home and landing out on the street. Sometimes those who need help are the first to reach out to others.