DYK? Just 30 minutes of reading a week can determine whether a child advances to the next grade or even graduates on time.

Enter: United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium (MRC), a volunteer tutoring initiative aimed at improving reading engagement for elementary students (Pre-K to 2nd grade) in school districts across Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Fairfield + Orangeburg counties.

How it works:

Volunteers meet with students once a week for 30 minutes.
Tutoring is scheduled Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., depending on school schedule.
MRC provides free training workshops, tutoring materials + support for volunteer tutors.
Due to COVID-19 considerations, virtual tutoring options will be available to allow volunteers to read to entire classrooms via the teacher’s smartboard *or* to read one-on-one with students through the use of laptops + tablets. Technology training on the virtual platform used will be provided.

Who can volunteer?

The program was created for anyone (think working professionals, retirees, former educators + college students) who can take a short break during their week to volunteer.

Now more than ever, MRC needs locals’ help to engage elementary students in fun, interactive reading sessions to ignite a love of reading + close the achievement gap. Learn more + sign up to volunteer – you can also contact Kimberly House with any questions. Ⓟ