“I have a two year old daughter,” advised San Diego Job Corps student Chelsie Smith, “so I thought it would be fun to read to these young children today.”  Two other Job Corps students and Job Corps’ Student Government Association Specialist Marcus Dunlap volunteered to take part in the monthly Local Heroes Storytime program sponsored by the Imperial Beach Branch of the San Diego County Library on September 12, 2012.

 “The San Diego County Library’s strategic planning is focused on three specific initiatives: Public Safety, Health, and Children,” stated Imperial Beach County Librarian June Engel.  “It’s a good opportunity for a fun, interactive program for preschool children as they meet people from various community organizations, while learning about our library.  The U.S. Postal Service, the Coast Guard, the Army, the San Diego Padres, Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney, and others have taken part in the program.   In addition to reading to the children, our local heroes also talk about their jobs and themselves. It’s a great learning experience for the children and the adults who accompany them.”

Other San Diego County Library branches are now offering the Local Heroes Storytime program to their community members.  “While grade-school children often get class visits, preschoolers don’t have many chances to see a paramedic up-close and personal in a non-emergency situation,” Engel continued.  “For that matter, neither do their parents.  One of the moms who came to one of our programs was very happy for the opportunity to ask a paramedic about first aid for snakebites.  When they have experiences like this, parents help spread the word about the program to other parents, and everyone benefits.”

Two of the Job Corps students who took part today are in the Culinary Arts Career Technical Training Program on center,” Marcus stated, “and the third is in the Office Administration trade.  All three women are also running for election as officers for the Student Government Association.  They felt this would be a good opportunity to serve the community, plus they also like children.  The kids were great and seemed to enjoy talking with us and listening to us read to them.  It was a lot of fun for all of us.”