In Literacy & More, Junior Auxiliary members lead weekly book clubs in area schools. While the cornerstone of this project is the book clubs, it is about much more than just reading. This project provides an opportunity for JA members to meet with 4th, 5th & 6th grade underserved students on a weekly basis during students’ lunchtime at school. While eating lunch and discussing books, JA members will be opening doors for mentoring, friendships, and a love for reading. This project also provides a venue for JA to support the community through funding and scholarships related to literature and the arts. This could include funding to the Jonesboro Public Library for community programs or author visits, sending students to see a community play or funding of various touring groups.

“Junior Auxiliary has been such a blessing for the students at Microsociety. With their help, the last five years we have been able to have between nine and twelve book clubs, reaching between 60 and 90 students a year. When we first began, I had to beg students to be in a book club, now I am begging for more book club leaders. Along with providing ladies to facilitate the book clubs, they have also provided us with money to buy sets of books for the students to use during book clubs. The last three years, Junior Auxiliary has partnered with the Altrusa Club to take our book club students along with all the second and third-grade students to a performance of The Nutcracker at The Forum and given each student a copy of The Nutcracker book. Thanks to Junior Auxiliary our students are learning the love of reading.”

Kimberly Davidson Literacy Instructional Facilitator Microsociety Elementary/Jonesboro Public Schools