Did you know? Just 30 minutes of reading each week can determine whether or not a child advances to the next grade — or even graduates on time. 🎓

United Way of the Midlands is looking for volunteers to support the Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC) — an initiative that helps pre-K through third-grade students improve their reading proficiency — for the 2022-2023 school year. 📚

MRC is a partnership between United Way of the Midlands and is in 16 schools across eight school districts in Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield + Orangeburg counties. During the 2021-2022 school year, the program mobilized 102 volunteers in assisting 224 students.

The program was designed so working professionals can leave their office, volunteer, and be back in an hour. | Photo provided by United Way of the Midlands

How it works:

Volunteers read with students once a week during the school year (early Sept.-May) to help ensure they are reading proficiently by third grade, which is key to later success. A reading session lasts just 30 minutes, so many volunteers choose to increase their impact by working with two students back-to-back for one hour per week. Volunteers can also sign up for guest reading sessions, summer reading camp assistance, and book donations.

Plus: It works. According to 2021-2022 MRC survey results, 100% of teachers agreed that students benefit from participating in MRC and 87% of teachers agreed that MRC increased students’ interest in reading.*

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here.*