300 volunteers needed to help improve reading

Broward schools, United Way team up for students

Broward County Public Schools and United Way of Broward County have once again partnered to help ensure students improve their reading skills.

Through the ReadingPals program, volunteers connect with students from pre-K to second grade in an effort to establish a love for literacy while improving reading and comprehension competence.

United Way of Broward County, a volunteer-driven nonprofit, is searching for 300 individuals to assist in this year’s virtual ReadingPals program.

“It is our hope that since people are working from home or are just home, they now have the time to volunteer to help students read,” President and CEO of United Way of Broward County Kathleen Cannon said in a statement. “It’s a wonderful way to support our local children and parents. We anticipate more volunteers joining the program this year to help.”

The ReadingPals program requires volunteers to dedicate one hour per week for 25 weeks during the year to read to an individual student or in a small group.

On Friday, Oct. 2, a virtual volunteer information session and training will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

During this past school year, volunteers cumulatively contributed over 6,000 hours while providing assistance to 408 stud e n t s a c ro s s B rowa rd County.

Over the last eight years, ReadingPals has served over 2,238 elementary schools with over 1,700 volunteers.

In addition, over 80,000 books have been distributed, reinforcing the need for literacy.

For information on volunteering, contact Kristen Lewis at 954-453-3742 or klewis@unitedwaybrow ard.org.

Visit unitedwaybroward .org/.