United Way of the Lowcountry
AmeriCorps Members and Reading Tutor Volunteers Are Helping Children Improve Reading Skills Through United Way of the Lowcountry’s “Read Indeed” Program
Reading is a basic building block that gives children the tools they need to engage in a lifetime of learning. Until the 3rd grade, children are learning to read. From 4th grade on, they are reading to learn. Statistics show that children who are not at least a moderately skilled reader by 3rd grade are typically less likely to catch up and more likely to not graduate from high school.
To help fight these literacy challenges head on, United Way of the Lowcountry created its Early Grade Reading Initiative, “Read Indeed,” in 2012. Read Indeed is a unique collaboration between United Way of the Lowcountry and both the Beaufort County School District and the Jasper County School District. Read Indeed works to increase reading achievement in our community so that children in Beaufort and Jasper Counties are proficient in reading by the time they finish 3rd grade. Through this program, students receive, one on one, in-school tutoring. By focusing on school readiness in Pre-K and grades K-3, the program can make a lasting difference in the lives of children in our community by giving them tools to achieve their dreams.
Now that students are back in school, AmeriCorps members and reading tutor volunteers, supporting United Way of the Lowcountry’s Read Indeed program, will soon be heading back to the classroom. AmeriCorps members serve along with more than 275 community volunteers as reading tutors in 13 elementary schools and preschools throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties, providing tutoring for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade. AmeriCorps members are a core group of tutors who serve the entire school year.
“AmeriCorps members serve in the schools several days each week, providing continuity and stability to the Read Indeed program,” said Bethany Marcinkowski, Vice President of Education Impact, United Way of the Lowcountry. “They are invaluable not only to the success of the program but the children they impact each day.”
Through United Way of the Lowcountry’s continued partnership, AmeriCorps members are helping to get measurable results. With their support, 94% of student in Beaufort County and 98.5% of students in Jasper County who participated in the program, increased their reading scores and met expected growth rate.
This past service year, 28 AmeriCorps members from a wide range of backgrounds, ranging from college students to retirees participated in the program. Some of the members continued their service during the summer reading program.
During a recent ceremony concluding the end of the AmeriCorps service year, Valerie Middleton was recognized as the Program Member of the Year for her outstanding service. “I love serving with AmeriCorps because of the children that I am able to help,” says Middleton. “Knowing that I make a difference is enough for me. I feel that it is both an honor and a privilege to serve with the AmeriCorps team.”
United Way of the Lowcountry is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members for the upcoming 2019/2020 service year. Members receive a small living allowance while serving, as well as an education award upon successful completion of service. Those interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member with the program should contact Carly Grubbs, AmeriCorps Program Director, at 843-837-2000 or cgrubbs@uwlowcountry.org.
United Way is also seeking reading tutor volunteers to serve this school year.
Interested in becoming a reading tutor volunteer?
• Volunteer 1-2 hours per week throughout the school year
• No experience is needed, just a desire to help children achieve
• Training is provided
• Background check required
Those interested in becoming a volunteer, should contact Bethany Marcinkowski, VP of Education Impact at 843-837-2000 or bethanym@uwlowcountry.org.
More About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at 21,600 unique sites including nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.4 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing more than 2.3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve.
Members gain valuable professional, educational, and life benefits, and the experience has a lasting impact on the members and the communities they serve.
The United Way of the Lowcountry’s “Read Indeed!” AmeriCorps program is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency for volunteering, service, and civic engagement. CNCS engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer and service efforts. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.
