It's Not Too Late to Be a ReadingPal

We are recruiting volunteers, men and women of all ages and backgrounds, to work with us on an important effort: to prepare children to become readers and to improve reading scores by third grade.

At United Way of Central Florida, we advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. One of the ways we do that is by focusing on the building blocks of a good quality of life: education, income, and health.

In Polk County, 43% of all children entering kindergarten do not have all of the language skills they need to learn to read. Study after study has shown that early literacy has a direct impact on graduation rates and on adult ability to give back to the community. We can't change this frightening statistic by ourselves, which is why we need you.

What is ReadingPals?

• A program designed to help Pre-K and Kindgergarten children improve their pre-reading vocabulary.
• An initiative focused on engaging, training and deploying volunteer tutors to increase the number of students reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.

What does it take to be a ReadingPal?

• Teaching experience is not required.
• Must be over the age of 18 -- college students and retirees are welcome!
• Volunteer for two 30-minute tutoring sessions per week in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten classroom.
• Go through training and on-going support designed to meet the individual needs of every volunteer.

Where can you learn more about ReadingPals?

Watch this video, hosted by Carol and Barney Barnett, our ReadingPals sponsors.

How do you get involved?

The final ReadingPals training for the 2012-2013 school year will take place on February 11, 12:00 -3:00pm at Padgett Elementary. The school is located at 110 Leelon Drive in Lakeland. Schools currently awaiting eager ReadingPals volunteers are Lake Shipp in Winter Haven, Alta Vista in Haines City, Auburndale Central Elementary, and Kingsford Elementary in Mulberry.

To sign up to be a ReadingPal, or for further information, contact Hope Bogel at 863-648-1500 x278 or email Hope.Bogel@uwcf.org.