FOCUS AREA: EMPOWER YOUTH
Empower Youth
Helping young people reach their full potential
Do you have a passion for the youth of Berks?
Through your support, we unite the community to support school readiness and mentorship programs from K-12 to build a better Berks for today and tomorrow.
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Ready.Set.READ!
1,604
students boosted their reading skills and grew their love of reading through Ready.set.READ
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2,400
imaginations soared through reading adventures, powered by United Way Summer Learning Grants, keeping children on track for reading success
Every child’s educational story is waiting to be written. At Ready.Set.READ! we believe every parent, teacher, mentor, and community leader can be an advocate for K-12 reading. That’s why we collaborate with local businesses, educators, and partner agencies to support reading programs across the community.
We promote education in the community through four key strategies:
- Preparing the foundation: We spark a love for language and pre-literacy in our youngest readers, supporting their development before the very first day of school.
- Providing mentors: We connect early-grade students with tutors who have a lifelong passion for reading.
- Engaging parents: We believe the heart of reading is at home. That’s why we empower parents to advocate the love of reading in their child’s education.
- Engaging the community: We mobilize the caring and compassion of Berks County to raise awareness and provide resources for student literacy.
A Success Story from Berks County
Our phonics-based Read Alliance program connects teen tutors with struggling first-grade readers to build relationships and nurture early literacy skills.
When Abby joined the Read Alliance program in first grade, she was reading below grade level.
With support from teen tutors and teachers who saw her potential, she finished the school year with confidence and reading skills beyond expectations.
Abby’s story is just one example of what students can achieve when we support coordinated services focused on education.
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CUnited Way Agency Partners and Supported Programs
| Agency Partner | Supported Programs |
|---|---|
| Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Berks County | One-to-one or group mentoring programs for at-risk youth to improve their lives |
| Birdsboro Community Memorial Center | Out of school education programs for youth of Birdsboro and vicinity to assist students with achieving academic success and grade-level proficiency |
| Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc. | Parental education and support to improve children’s school readiness through “Abriendo Puertas” |
| Communities In Schools of Eastern PA | Integrated student support and services to improve attendance, behavior and academic performance for students in the Reading School District |
| Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania | Outcomes-based programs for girls 5-17, in the City of Reading, to acquire and develop assets and skills for a positive adolescence and future |
| Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County | Comprehensive, outcome driven, youth after-school and summer program focusing on education, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles |
| Opportunity House | Early care and education services for infants, preschoolers and school-age children |
| The Salvation Army: Reading Corps | Educational programming for youth through the Learning Center |
| Scouting America, Hawk Mountain Council | Comprehensive youth development through Traditional and Urban Scouting |
| YMCA of Reading & Berks County | Child care services and the Parenting Pathways program, which provides parents, parents-to-be and caregivers knowledge and skills needed to establish strong families and help their children reach their potential |
Special Program Funding: Community Services for Children – child care