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ReadingPals

POWERED BY UNITED WAY OF MARION COUNTY

Close the Early Literacy Gap with ReadingPals

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 of Marion County partners with Marion County Public Schools to provide ReadingPals in kindergarten classrooms at 17 underpreforming schools.

Volunteer mentors donate at least one hour a week during the school year at 17 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 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.

63% 

of Kindergarteners in Marion County are not ready for Kindergarten, based from Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener.

61,000

books have been donated by ReadingPals Powered by United Way of Marion County to kindergartners since 2012.

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.