Summer Reads members serve over the summer as literacy tutors and mentors to low-income children in K-5 in schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. They bring literacy to life through a variety of activities, including one-on-one tutoring, creative enrichment activities, using arts and drama to explore language, practicing vocabulary and comprehension in many subjects, developing home learning materials for families, and more. 

Summer Reads VISTAs typically serve with one or two placement sites full-time Monday-Friday (daytime hours) for 8 weeks from mid-June to early August. Site placements are available in many locations statewide. 

Benefits and eligibility

• Must be 18 by service start date 

• Must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or DACA recipient 

• Must serve full-time for 8 weeks from June through August, or 10 weeks for Outreach Specialists 

• Choice of $1,342 Education Award or $276 post-service cash stipend (Education Award only available to U.S. Citizens; U.S. Nationals; or Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens)

• Bi-weekly living allowance of approximately $513

• $200 per summer service term in housing assistance (paid directly to landlord, mortgage company, or utility company)

• Training and professional development

• Public benefits will not be affected by service 

• Individuals who receive unemployment benefits prior to service will still be able to continue receiving those benefits after service ends

• Click here for more information about benefits

Apply for a Summer Reads position

Questions?

Please contact Steph at slewis@literacymn.org, 651-251-9088.