![ReadingPals Training Session](https://www.goriverwalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ReadingPals-1.jpg)
Did You Know: According to the Florida Standard Assessment for the 2020-2021 school year, only 53% of Broward County students are at grade level in English language arts by Third Grade.
United Way of Broward County is seeking 300 volunteers to become ReadingPals mentors for the 2021-2022 school year. Celebrating 10 years in the community, the ReadingPals program connects volunteers with Pre-K through 2nd grade students to generate a lifetime love of literacy and to improve reading and comprehension skills to ensure children are reading at grade level by the end of the 2nd grade.
Interested participants can sign up to become a ReadingPal and attend 1 of several training sessions, that are listed below, for more information:
- Wednesday, July 14th — 11 am – 1 pm
- Tuesday, July 20th — 3 pm – 5 pm
- Friday, July 30th — 9 am – 11 am
- Wednesday, August 11th — 11 am – 1 pm
The ReadingPals program began 10 years ago with 105 volunteers reading to 167 students. To date, more than 2,320 Broward County Elementary Public Schools have been served through United Way of Broward County’s ReadingPals program. United Way of Broward County has distributed more than 88,500 books to elementary school children in Pre-K through 2nd grade.
One hour a week helps a child improve their reading skills. ReadingPals are mentors who use books and conversation to build the language skills of students in Pre-K through Second Grade. Volunteer mentors build impactful relationships with students while helping students build a strong social-emotional foundation and help students improve their literacy skills.
You can change a child’s story. Join the movement and volunteer to help a child in Broward County improve their reading skills.
This year’s ReadingPals program will allow for both in-person or virtual volunteering. We will be asking you to choose your preference at the start of the year. Some of our schools will only be offering in-person volunteering, while a select few will have a virtual option.
ReadingPals occurs during the school day. So please note that volunteers will need to meet in-person or virtually with their student during the school day (M-F, between 8 am – 1 pm).
In-person volunteers will meet with their student for one hour each week throughout the school year. The virtual program will require volunteers to meet with their student virtually through a program called Vello. The virtual program will require two 30 minute sessions each week.