Richard

ReadingPals: Empowering Young Minds, Building Bright Futures

Richard Is One of Broward’s Storytelling Stars!

“I have been a volunteer with ReadingPals since 2021, and I have had so many meaningful experiences,” says Richard, a volunteer/mentor with ReadingPals.

“One example is when a first grader and I began ReadingPals. Her mother did not speak English, her father did not live at home, and at the beginning of the year, she could not read the words ‘the’ or ‘and.’ Within the first hour together, we were making strides. By the end of the year, she was earning 100s on many of her tests across all subjects, and she could read entire paragraphs by herself.”

According to a recent study, 50% of Florida students cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of third grade. United Way of Broward County’s ReadingPals program is changing literacy rates by connecting mentors/volunteers to students from pre-k through third grade.

Because of ReadingPals with its caring volunteers/mentors like Richard, elementary-school students in Broward are increasing their scores significantly in print knowledge, phonological awareness, math, and oral language. Plus each student in ReadingPals receives 15 to 20 books to expand their at-home libraries.

The results have been phenomenal: In a sample of 225 children in our ReadingPals program, their reading proficiency was increased by 116% this school year.

“I have had many experiences volunteering with different organizations,” says Richard. “Few have allowed me to see the tangible impact that I am having on an individual’s life — but ReadingPals certainly has.”

Click here to read more about the power of ReadingPals.