In Greenwich, Reading Champions is Boosting Literacy, Eight Years and Counting

Submitted by Marie Valle Wardell, Greenwich United Way, Reading Champions Program Coordinator and Betsy Coons, Reading Champions Volunteer Coordinator.

June 9, 2016 marked the end of the 8th successful year of the Greenwich United Way Reading Champions Program.

Since inception, this flagship program has served over 2,500 children in achieving individual reading goals in fluency and comprehension. This year, 128 volunteers mentored 458 Greenwich elementary school students in 14 locations throughout the Town of Greenwich.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank those who dedicate their time and energy in helping to make this program an extraordinary success.

The volunteer tutors, site liaisons, literacy specialists, assistant principals, principals and after school program directors are the backbone of the program. Together, they work tirelessly providing the support to participating students in helping to increase grade level fluency.

On behalf of the Greenwich United Way, we thank all the donors especially The Greenwich Rotary and the Women’s Ministries First Congregational Church of Greenwich for their continued support throughout the years.

In addition, the Greenwich United Way Board of Directors continues to support this vital program and we are grateful for their participation in the Reading Champions ceremonies.

Greenwich United Way Reading Champions is a literacy program partnering Greenwich youth with community volunteers in an effort to build fluency skills during the school year. Because students receive immediate feedback and get one-on-one personal attention, the program has been a resounding and proven success boasting 97% of children exceeding grade level reading goals. Currently Greenwich United Way Reading Champions serves 10 elementary schools in Greenwich and the Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center (BANC), Community Centers, Inc. of Greenwich (CCI), Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich (BGCG), and the YWCA of Greenwich. Volunteer tutors are trained, no teaching experience is needed, and tutoring opportunities are always available. For more information please visit www.greenwichunitedway.org or call 203-869-2221.

Sincerely,
Marie Valle Wardell, Greenwich United Way, Program Coordinator, Reading Champions
Betsy Coons, Volunteer Coordinator, Reading Champions