Macon, GA— 1/21/2020 — United Way of Central Georgia initiative, READ UNITED, has been working with the Bibb County School District to improve literacy in Central Georgia schools by bringing our children up to third grade reading level. It’s been a promising journey as 89% of Bibb County third grade students who were enrolled in last year’s READ UNITED program reached third grade reading level on time. READ UNITED volunteers give hours of their time each week to improve childhood literacy, but many others have expressed interest in volunteering without as much time available to give. Reading Pals was born as a way for reading lovers to spend a little time with a classroom of children about once a month with less of a time commitment than READ UNITED volunteers.
Volunteers with Reading Pals will help build early literacy skills, mentor, and increase social emotional development by spending time with children in the classroom just once a month. Anyone is welcome to volunteer and will go through a volunteer training session on January 28th from either 10:30 am- 12:00 pm or 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm.
Reading Pals is kicking off this February at four Bibb County elementary schools: Brookdale, Heritage, Union, and Veterans. If you’d like information on volunteering for Reading Pals, contact Volunteer United Coordinator, JoLee Henson at jhenson@unitedwaycg.com.