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The Washington Reading Corps (WRC) is a statewide service program started in 1998 as a partnership between the Governor's Office, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Washington Services Corps (WSC) AmeriCorps Programs. Solid Ground contracts with the Washington Service Corps to recruit, train and supervise the full-time AmeriCorps members and VISTA volunteers assigned to work in Reading Corps schools.  In turn, the AmeriCorps members and VISTA volunteers help recruit and train community volunteers and provide one-on-one and small-group tutoring for students.

If you are interested in general information about this program, read on. If you are a current Reading Corps member, click here for this year’s calendar and other valuable information.

Tests administered in 1997 found that only 47% of fourth grade students statewide met the new Washington State standard for reading. Research demonstrates that if a child cannot read well by the end of third grade, his or her chances for academic success are significantly diminished. And yet a disturbingly high number of children in our community are struggling with this most basic skill. Through the Washington Reading Corps, AmeriCorps members provide direct daily tutoring and full-time VISTA members help school communities to harness the talent and energies of parents and community members as volunteer tutors. Last school year WRC schools statewide recruited more than 11,000 volunteers who tutored over 25,000 students, contributing to impressive gains in statewide reading tests.

WRC Members of all ages gain experience in direct tutoring, volunteer management, and community strengthening. WRC Members also develop their own leadership skills by participating in team trainings and state-wide Member Development Institutes, and by leading local service projects.

Washington Reading Corps Project Sites: Seattle, Tukwila, Highline & Kent

AmeriCorps and VISTA members with Solid Ground’s Washington Reading Corps program serve a minimum of 40 hours a week and work primarily at one designated school site in one of the following school districts:  Seattle, Highline, Tukwila, or Kent.  In addition, members participate in regular team meetings, trainings and team building activities. 

Successful candidates will be able to take direction from supervisors and, at times, give or receive direction and support from their peers.  They will also be able to take initiative for their achievements and take responsibility for their own growth.  Members spend a great deal of time working in groups and with other people, but also need to be able to work independently.  Group process and initiative are central to the program.  The program utilizes an adult learning model, which requires participants to be motivated and responsible for their actions.

The Washington Reading Corps Program at Solid Ground strives to develop individual leadership skills.  AmeriCorps and VISTA members are asked to take leadership roles by developing service projects, training their peers, facilitating a civic engagement project, and getting involved in the community. 

All National Service members working with Solid Ground are responsible for developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment. Being open to new ideas and ways, demonstrating compassion, flexibility, and respect are valued and encouraged attributes for our members.

As a Community Action agency working to eliminate poverty, Solid Ground believes working to undo institutional racism is essential to addressing challenges related to poverty, including literacy, and the particular challenges faced by students of color in our schools.

We believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our mission of creating “a just and caring community, free from poverty, prejudice and neglect.” As our workforce evolves to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, our agency and workplace will be enriched and strengthened.