United Way of the Midlands Recruits Volunteers to Help Struggling Readers Increase Literacy Skills through the Midlands Reading Consortium
Staff Report From Columbia CEO
Wednesday, August 15th, 2018
United Way is looking for volunteers to support the Midlands Reading Consortium for the 2018-2019 school year. MRC is a tutoring initiative that helps pre-kindergarten through second-grade students improve their reading proficiency and language development. Reading proficiently by third grade is a crucial point in the process toward graduating high school on time.
“MRC volunteers are vital in maintaining and growing our tutoring program. Volunteers create an opportunity for students to get individual attention to develop their reading skills,” said Melissa Dunn, United Way of the Midlands’ Director of Education. “MRC volunteers also assist schools in creating a culture that makes reading fun and encourages children to read in and outside of the classroom.”
MRC was designed to provide everyone, even working professionals, a chance to support local children through weekly, 30-minute tutoring sessions and make it back to work within an hour. MRC also provides retirees or college students with a great way to get valuable volunteer experience and see results. Many volunteers choose to work with two students back-to-back for one hour during the week to increase their impact.
Individuals who can volunteer 30 minutes a week between mid-September or early October 2018 through May 2019 are needed. MRC provides tutors free training, materials and the support needed to help focus on improving language skills and reading proficiency for tutees. Trainings are held in August and September. Volunteer orientation is held at the tutor’s school on the first day of tutoring.