A number of second, third, and fourth grade students in four school districts benefit from a volunteer reading program.
READ. LEARN. SUCCEED. is seeking volunteers for its fall session. United Way Community Impact Director Michelle Saucer says the program continues to grow. "Last year, we had 428 volunteers reading with 213 students in the districts of Monroe City, Ouachita, Lincoln, and Morehouse Parish."
Volunteers work with students in high need areas. Saucer says one of the long-term goals of the program is to increase the graduation rate. "Statistics show that if a child can not read by third grade, they are four times likely to not graduate," she said.
Saucer says the fall session begins later this month and encourages businesses and college organizations to consider becoming a reading team to work with area schoolchildren.
