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Char-Em United Way Day of Action on June 21st Promotes Literacy |
Fewer Americans today are likely to earn a diploma than their parents, a distinction not shared by any other industrialized country. Char-Em United Way will join organizations nation-wide in celebrating a Day of Action on the longest day of the year, June 21st, to work to meet this growing community need.
Locally, Char-Em United Way will partner with local libraries, schools, and other agencies to promote reading and learning skills with area children. Volunteers are being recruited to read to children at several sites on June 21. People interested in volunteering can learn more about this opportunity at www.tinyurl.com/volunteerconnections.
“We are excited to promote our second annual Day of Action,” says Martha Lancaster, Executive Director of Char-Em United Way. “The longest day of the year is a great time to renew our community’s focus on education and we encourage everyone to take action. You can volunteer to read to kids, write a letter in support of early childhood education funding, donate books to a local school, or make a financial contribution to our education efforts.”
Volunteer readers on Day of Action will be matched with local summer schools, day care centers, and libraries. This is a critical time for reading activities, as research from the National Summer Learning Association shows, students also lose more than two months in reading achievement over the summer months.
“Developing reading proficiency at an early age is a key factor in high school graduation,” continues Lancaster. “Students who aren’t strong readers by 4th grade are at risk of educational failure and are more likely than their peers to drop out of high school. We believe – with the help of local volunteers – we can put local kids on the path to success.”
The Day of Action is only one piece in United Way’s Education Initiative. The organization is also seeking volunteers to make a year-round commitment to read to, tutor, or mentor youth in a variety of settings. Members of United Way’s “Literacy Corps” will be provided with training and support and placed in programs needing their help.
If you are interested in helping with the Day of Action activities or becoming a mentor, tutor or reading aide on an ongoing basis, email vista@charemunitedway.org or call 487-1006. Volunteer opportunities are listed under the Volunteer tab at www.charemunitedway.org.
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This isn’t the case for all children. Many grow up with few or no books in the home. To give young children the gift of reading, Char-Em United Way has launched Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties.
Read more . . .