Summer Reads
What is Summer Reads?
Summer Reads provides literacy services and mentorship to low-income children (primarily K-5) in schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations across Minnesota.
Mentors and Coaches bring literacy to life through a variety of activities, including one-to-one tutoring and enrichment activities, using arts and drama to explore language.
In 2026, Summer Reads returns to the traditional AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate model!
Summer Reads Mentors serve full-time Monday-Friday for 8 weeks and are compensated with $957 every two weeks. Site placements are available in locations statewide with a focus on the Twin Cities Metro.
Benefits and eligibility
- Must be 18 by service enrollment date.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, legal permanent resident, DACA recipient, asylee, refugee or have temporary protected status.
- Must be able to pass mandatory National Service Criminal History and National Sex Offender Registry Checks.
- Choice between Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $1,565 or $276 cash stipend at the successful end of service.
- Biweekly living allowance of approximately $957.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
- Participation in the Transit Assistance Program (TAP) for subsidized rides on Metro Transit.
- Service-related travel reimbursement to and from Literacy Minnesota-required trainings and/or events beyond the regular commute.
Education and mentorship is Literacy Minnesota's specialty! We provide our Summer Reads Mentors with...
- Orientation and training before Mentors work with children.
- Continued weekly member trainings.
- Additional mentorship and educational resources, including a robust Literacy Kit.
- Access to a free library of books that can be given to children throughout the summer.
Apply for a Summer Reads position
Questions?
Please contact Stevie Lewis.