News Releases
United Way launches Read Together/Leer Juntos to encourage a love for reading before kindergarten
Published by United Way
on 2/2/2012
Become a volunteer: help improve early literacy skills in our young people
United Way of Miami-Dade is expanding its volunteer reader pilot program, now titled Read Together/Leer Juntos, to include up to 130 volunteer readers at 13 early learning centers across Miami-Dade. From Feb. 16 through May 24, these readers will be matched with 55-60 pre-K classrooms for an hour of story time each week, influencing nearly 1,000 students. The program is still seeking volunteers to help enhance literacy opportunities for young children and instill a love for reading, even before they can read for themselves.
For information on a center location and program specifics, please visit
www.unitedwaymiami.org/volunteerreaderprogram or contact Chantell King at
kingc@unitedwaymiami.org.
As part of the program, United Way is offering a training session for the volunteer readers, where they will learn about age-appropriate books, tips for reading to young children and receive a reader toolkit with sample activities and more.
“The United Way Volunteer Reader Program is a great way for residents to get involved with their community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Promoting literacy and encouraging our youngest residents to read is a true win-win and will have a lasting impact.”
Research shows that children who learn to read well at an early age will not only read more independently, but also achieve more in math, social studies and science. They are also more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education. Investing in them pays off: the ROI includes higher graduation rates, better job skills, increased homeownership and less chance of criminal activities.
To learn more about the Read Together/Leer Juntos program or for tips on how to read to children, please visit
www.unitedwaymiami.org/VolunteerReaderProgram.
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