Help Support Early Literacy in Marion County!

By supporting our ReadingPals Book Drive, you can help unlock the power of reading for 200 elementary students in 20 local schools while helping to provide 5,600 books for students to take home.

Why Early Literacy Matters?

Reading is the foundation for success in school and in life. But in Florida, 49% of children enter kindergarten unprepared and 45% of 3rd graders can't read at a minimally proficient level.

At United Way of Marion County, we're committed to changing this story—one student at a time.

Through our ReadingPals program, volunteer mentors work one-on-one with children in VPK and kindergarten to support early literacy, resilience, and confidence-building—all through the joy of reading.

This campaign will help us provide books to 200 students across 20 local schools. These books go home with the children to help them build their very own home libraries.

ReadingPals is a statewide early literacy initiative led by The Children’s Movement of Florida. It is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for volunteer mentors to support students from Pre-K to 3rd grade who may need extra help. Our model focuses on developing early literacy skills, building relationships and confidence, and reinforcing a love of reading. Locally, United Way partners with Marion County Public Schools to provide ReadingPals in kindergarten and VPK classrooms. 

Volunteer mentors donate at least one hour a week during the school year at 20 elementary schools to 29 classrooms across Marion County since 2012. This statewide initiative is in 20+ counties in Florida. 

ReadingPals Volunteers Assist with:

- Developing foundational literacy skills

- Mentorship

 - Resiliency

Pillars of Impact

EARLY LITERACY: To improve students’ vocabulary and understanding of the fundamental building blocks of early literacy.

MENTORSHIP: To strengthen confidence, self-awareness, and empathy through a consistent relationship between mentors and students.

LOVE OF READING: To reinforce a love of reading with high-quality books and engaging activities.

ReadingPals was founded by The Children's Movement in Florida and organized through 17 United Ways across Florida. Thanks to the generosity of the Barnett family since 2011, more than 30,000 students have received a mentor, with more than 530,000 take-home books donated to build at-home libraries.

READINGPALS VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:

• Attend a 2-hour volunteer workshop training
• Pass a 100% online and free background screening 
• Commit to reading to a child during the school day for 28 weeks

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO VOLUNTEER, CONTACT JAN HATHAWAY AT 352-732-9696
OR EMAIL HERE.

Ready to join the ReadingPals team? - Fill out the volunteer online application below. If you are interested in becoming sponsor instead click the link button below.