It is astonishing but true: nearly one billion children and adults throughout the world are unable to read. United Way is confronting this challenge by mobilizing volunteers every day to extend literacy to all, especially to children. On October 19th, 2015 United Ways around the world are participating in Read Across the Globe Day. This worldwide initiative includes volunteer-led reading events with the goal of breaking the record for most children read to in a 24-hour period.
United Way Romania is rallying volunteers to participate in read aloud events in three cities. The event in Bucharest has been planned with two of the area’s largest office parks, while other NGOs and local book shops are partnering with United Way in Cluj and Timisoara. Romanian personalities, popular bloggers and a large Romanian publishing house are all donating books to give to children.
Board members and staff from United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region in Poughkeepsie, NY will read to 75 children at a community center and Boys & Girls Club. Books have been donated for the event, but United Way is encouraging the volunteer readers to bring their childhood favorites. United Way of Yellowstone County in Billings, MT has pledged to read to 500 preschool through third grade students in seven locations. Volunteers will read from books that are about the joy of reading: Reading Makes You Feel Good by Todd Parr, Wild About Books by Judy Sierra, and The Day of the Dead/ El Dia de los Muertos by Bob Barner. The Day of the Dead was chosen by a Spanish teacher who was a member of Student United Way at MSU Billings and served as an adult team leader for United Way’s Youth Volunteer Corps. The teacher and her students will read the story in Spanish and in English to elementary school students, introducing them to Spanish culture and reinforcing the worldwide nature of Read Across the Globe Day.
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is partnering with Deloitte to send 10-15 employee volunteers to read at K-3rd grade classes at a partner school. That evening, about 50 volunteers from United Way’s young professionals group, Project NEXT, will build 10 “Little Free Libraries” to further promote literacy.
When a child is able to read at grade level by the third grade, they are four times more likely to succeed in school. Reading with a young child on Read Across the Globe Day is a great way to make a difference on October 19th, but don’t stop there. Your local United Way can create or connect you to volunteer reading programs in the U.S. and throughout the world.
