Books & Buddies Volunteer Mentor

Books & Buddies is a mentor program developed to improve literacy skills by partnering students with volunteer mentors acting as reading companions.
Mentor volunteers are partnered with children who need support and individualized attention to improve their literacy skills. Books & Buddies Mentor Centers operate during school hours and are located in 5 Title 1 schools throughout the Las Vegas valley.  No experience is necessary.

Requirements:

  1. Must be at least 16 years old to participate.
  2. Must have own transportation to and from the school.
  3. Must commit to a minimum of one hour a week with reasonable consistency.
  4. Must pass a background check.
  5. Must attend Mentor Orientation where we will:
    1. Discuss the purpose of STWN and the Books & Buddies program.
    2. Provide information you’ll need to become a successful mentor.
    3. Take your fingerprints for a background check (STWN covers the cost).
    4. Allow time for questions and answers.

Upcoming Orientation Dates - Henderson

This orientation will be held at Spread the Word Nevada
1065 American Pacific Drive, Suite 160, Henderson, NV  89074

📅 Thursday, November 7th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Thursday, November 21st, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Thursday, December 12th , 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Thursday, January 16th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Thursday, February 13th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Thursday, February 27th , 10:00 – 11:30 am

Sign up for a Henderson orientation

Scroll down past the housekeeping notes to select your desired date on the calendar. Please call or email if you need any help signing up.

Upcoming Orientation Dates - Las Vegas

This orientation will be held at Findlay Honda Centennial,
7494 W. Azure Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89130

📅 Tuesday, November 12th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Tuesday, December 3rd, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Tuesday, January 7th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Tuesday, January 21st, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Tuesday, February 4th, 10:00 – 11:30 am
📅 Tuesday, February 18th, 10:00 – 11:30 am

Sign up for a Las Vegas orientation

Scroll down past the housekeeping notes to select your desired date on the calendar. Please call or email if you need any help signing up.

Books & Buddies Mentor FAQs

What is Books & Buddies?
Books & Buddies is a reading program developed to improve the literacy skills of struggling young readers by partnering them with volunteer mentors acting as reading companions.

What requirements are there to mentor?
Mentors must be at least 16 years of age, have their own transportation to the school, and commit to a minimum of one hour a week with reasonable consistency during the school year. We also require a background check through fingerprints, which we offer for free to all mentors.

How long is each mentor session?
Each mentor session is 30 minutes. We ask mentors to commit to 1+ hours a week. Sessions occur at the same time and day each week following the CCSD academic calendar.

How long is Mentor Orientation?
Mentor orientation is 1 ½ hours.

What happens at Mentor Orientation?

  • Discuss the purpose of STWN and the Books & Buddies program.
  • Learn about the students you will serve.
  • Learn information you’ll need to become a successful mentor.
  • Take fingerprints for a background check (STWN covers the cost)
  • Learn how to obtain a volunteer badge from the Clark County School District.
  • Ask questions.

Do I need to bring anything to Mentor Orientation?
Yes, please bring your driver’s license or another form of government ID for fingerprinting/background check.

Am I able to volunteer for more than an hour a week?
Yes, you are.

Do I get to choose the time and location of where I mentor?
Yes, you provide your time availability and preferred location(s).

What is the time commitment for Books & Buddies?
1 hour per week

What happens if I’m sick or traveling on one of my mentor days?
Please notify the center facilitator of travel and illness.

How do I get started?
Attend a mentor orientation to begin mentoring.

Is a background check required to mentor?
Yes, it is. Background checks are currently taking 45 days to clear.

When and where do the mentoring take place?
The mentoring takes place at any of our 11 Books and Buddies centers located throughout the Las Vegas valley. You can set your time preferences as we have available times during the school day.

Do I need any special training?
Training is provided at Mentor Orientation and from STWN,

Where are Mentor Orientations held?
We have 2 orientation locations:

Henderson at Spread the Word Nevada’s main office
1065 American Pacific Drive, Suite 160
Henderson, NV 89074

Findlay Honda Centennial
7494 W. Azure Dr
Las Vegas, NV 89130

Do I need any experience to mentor?
You do not need any prior experience. All you need to have with you is your love for books & kids.