Page 40 - September 2019

AmeriCorps Members and Reading Tutor Volunteers Are Helping

Children Improve Reading Skills Through United Way of the

Lowcountry’s “Read Indeed” Program

R eading 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, them tools to achieve their dreams. schools several days each week, providing
"Read Indeed," in 2012. Read Indeed is a Now that students are back in school, continuity and stability to the Read Indeed
unique collaboration between United Way AmeriCorps members and reading tutor program,” said Bethany Marcinkowski, Vice
of the Lowcountry and both the Beaufort volunteers, supporting United Way of the President of Education Impact, United Way
County School District and the Jasper Lowcountry’s Read Indeed program, will of the Lowcountry. “They are invaluable not
County School District. Read Indeed works soon be heading back to the classroom. only to the success of the program but the
to increase reading achievement in our AmeriCorps members serve along with children they impact each day.”
community so that children in Beaufort and more than 275 community volunteers as Through United Way of the Lowcountry’s
Jasper Counties are proficient in reading reading tutors in 13 elementary schools and continued partnership, AmeriCorps members
by the time they finish 3rd grade. Through preschools throughout Beaufort and Jasper are helping to get measurable results. With
this program, students receive, one on one, Counties, providing tutoring for students their support, 94% of student in Beaufort
in-school tutoring. By focusing on school in Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade. County and 98.5% of students in Jasper
readiness in Pre-K and grades K-3, the AmeriCorps members are a core group of County who participated in the program,
program can make a lasting difference in the tutors who serve the entire school year. increased their reading scores and met
lives of children in our community by giving “AmeriCorps members serve in the 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
40 September 2019 | BeaufortLifestyle.com