We are now accepting applications from Thurston County Elementary schools to become a sponsor site for a Readiness To Learn AmeriCorps member. For more information and the application, please click here.

AmeriCorps: Washington Reading Corps

“We envision communities where all people are engaged in meaningful service that is dedicated to positive social change." – CYS AmeriCorps Program Vision

The AmeriCorps Programs at Community Youth Services are dedicated to making a difference through community service and partnership. We are people who are passionate and committed to supporting the positive development of children, youth and the community. If you feel the same way, we hope you join us by becoming an AmeriCorps member or volunteering along side us.

Leave a legacy and grow. We are an experiential service program that provides opportunities for personal development through community service. We offer leadership and member development training that will enhance your term of service now and for years to come.

Washington Reading Corps

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 Service Corps (WSC) - AmeriCorps Program. Community Youth Services is partnered with the Washington Reading Corps and provides teams of committed USA and VISTA members to elementary schools in six counties in Western Washington to assist struggling readers improve and gain confidence in their reading skills and to promote literacy in the home.

Washington Reading Corps Mission Statement

The mission of the Washington Reading Corps Program is to improve reading abilities of K-6 students across Washington State. This is achieved through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations among schools, families, community members, National Service, businesses, and state partners.

The WRC Program offers two positions, the AmeriCorps USA position and the AmeriCorps VISTA position. Please read below to find out what the members in these positions do.

WRC STATE Members

• STATE member’s focus on providing direct service to struggling readers through daily tutoring in elementary schools for 10.5 months, 40 hour per week.
• The STATE member develops reading enrichment activities within the school’s literacy curriculum; assists with school family involvement literacy activities; and coordinates and participates in local community service projects with their team

WRC VISTA Members (Volunteers in Service to America)

• VISTA members focus on building sustainable literacy programs at elementary schools for 12 months, 40 hours per week
• The VISTA member recruits, manages, and trains community volunteers that will tutor struggling readers; solicits donations; develops and implements family literacy projects to help promote literacy in the home; coordinates and participates in local community service projects with their team; and may tutor up to 10 hours per week

What areas does the CYS WRC Program serve?

The Community Youth Services WRC Program serves in six counties across Western Washington. The schools are listed below. Please click on each of the elementary schools to view the school’s site description.

Pierce County
Carter Lake Elementary
Chief Leschi Elementary
Christensen Elementary
Firgrove Elementary
Central Avenue Elementary
Tyee Park Elementary
Hillside Elementary
Evergreen Elementary
Jennie Reed Elementary
Waller Road Elementary

Lewis County
Napavine Elementary
White Pass Elementary
Vader Elementary
Winlock Miller Elementary

Thurston County
Pleasant Glade Elementary
Peter G. Schmidt Elementary

Mason County
Hood Canal Elementary

Grays Harbor County
McDermoth Elementary
Pacific Beach Elementary

Kitsap County
Naval Avenue Elementary
West Hills Elementary

"The ‘ripple effect’ of the Washington Reading Corps has flowed out and
lifted up thousands of young people and their tutors, just as it has
strengthened families’ connections to their communities”
- Former Governor Gary Locke

Current Service Positions

• To view current service descriptions, please click here.
• To view our program’s FAQ, please click here.
• To find out how to apply, please click here.