Neighbor News
Parentis Foundation Hosts Empowering Readers OC Returning Volunteer Retreat at Irvine's Pretend City
Seventy senior volunteers with two or more years serving as literacy tutors for Parentis Foundation program gathered at annual retreat
Parentis Foundation recently hosted its annual Empowering Readers OC (EROC) Returning Tutor Retreat Training at Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine, bringing together 70 of the over 200 active senior volunteers who have served two or more years as literacy tutors.
Pretend City offered the perfect backdrop to rediscover the wonder of learning through play. Partnering with Pretend City is both an honor and an inspiration for the young at heart, making it the ideal setting for tutors to explore Readers Theater, creative strategies, and playful tools that strengthen reading comprehension for the 1st–5th grade students they serve.
A highlight of the day was hearing from Julie Chiaverini, lecturer at UC Irvine's School of Education, mentor to new teachers, and a nationally recognized presenter on literacy and child-centered learning. Chiaverini shared her insights on creating authentic reading and writing experiences and inspired tutors with strategies to deepen meaningful connections with students.
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“Our volunteers are the heart of Empowering Readers,” said Parentis Foundation's Executive Director Janice Frechette-Artinger. “Their compassion, wisdom, and mentorship not only help children become stronger readers but also build their confidence for a brighter future. If a child is not reading proficiently by fourth grade, they are four times less likely to graduate high school—our tutors help change that trajectory.”
Through Empowering Readers OC, children gain:
Improved reading proficiency
One-on-one mentorship with caring adults
Increased confidence as capable learners
Intergenerational connections that inspire growth
A path out of poverty through academic success
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To support this work, visit https://parentisfoundation.org/donate.
About Parentis Foundation
Parentis Foundation pairs older adult volunteer tutor/mentors with at-risk youth in both Boys & Girls Clubs and community schools across Orange County. Its proven literacy intervention strategy impacts not only young readers but also the lives of older adults who serve them.
Media Contact:
Janice Frechette-Artinger
Executive Director, Parentis Foundation
949.767.7503 | janice.frechette@parentishealth.com
