EARLY CHILDHOOD LITERACY

Read United

Read United is a year-round series of programs that aim to improve early language and childhood literacy for all children in our region.

Why is it important Literacy Programs

What you can do

Volunteer

Help a child discover the joy and power of reading.

Donate

Help us put books in the hands of every child. Donate to Read United and give young readers the tools they need to succeed.

Sponsor

Invest in the future of our community. Become a Read United sponsor and help ensure every child has access to books and literacy support.

Why is Childhood Literacy Important?

Reading proficiency and literacy is vital to the success of our community. Children with reading difficulties are more likely to experience health and behavioral problems, teen pregnancy, premature departures from school, trouble sustaining employment, and even poverty.  Through Read United, we seek to increase opportunities for achievement and brighter futures for all by ensuring that children reach important language milestones.

By the Numbers

By the end of the third-grade children should be shifting from learning to read to reading to learn.

Children who struggle with reading early on are more likely to struggle in other subjects such as math, science, and social studies.

3rd grade students who are not proficient in reading by the end of the year are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

By age 10, a child’s path to success is determined by their reading proficiency.

United Way of the Coastal Empire is bettering our community—one book at a time!

Literacy Programs

With Upward Mobility in mind, United Way of the Coastal Empire intends to help build a ready & resilient workforce and a better future for our youngest citizens. One strategy to accomplish this is to advance early childhood literacy. Through the support of our donors, volunteers, and partnerships, the below programs are implemented year-round in our region.

Read United Day

Read United Day reaches Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long counties, promoting literacy and a love for reading. On this day, hundreds of United Way volunteers will read to classrooms and leave a new book and reading materials behind for each class.  In Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, and Long counties, every child will receive a new book to take home. In Chatham County, United Way will continue our STAR Reading Competition in partnership with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, encouraging students to build daily reading habits by reading with family members and loved ones.

Learn More & Volunteer

Read United Buddies

Partnering with The Rotary Club of Savannah and the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Read United Buddies is a one-on-one reading program that connects second-grade students in Chatham County with dedicated volunteers for shared reading experiences using an evidence-based curriculum. Volunteers commit to one hour, twice a week at an assigned school, helping students strengthen their reading skills, build confidence, and work toward reading proficiency.

Volunteer

Summer Reading

Summer Reading Programs across Bryan, Effingham, and Liberty counties provide children with books to enjoy throughout the summer, fostering a love for reading and learning.

Volunteer

Partnerships

Chatham Literacy Moonshot

United Way of the Coastal Empire is collaborating with the Chatham Literacy Moonshot, a community-wide effort to help the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System reach 95% third-grade reading proficiency by 2031. As a community deeply invested in the success of our children, we all have a role to play in helping them become strong, confident readers.

United Way leads the Family Support & Child Development Coalition, focused on inspiring and empowering families to support their children’s education while removing barriers that can stand in the way of learning. The coalition focuses on three priorities:

  1. Equipping families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to serve as their child’s first and most important teacher and demonstrating that family engagement makes a difference.
  2. Identifying and removing barriers that may limit a family’s ability to support their child’s learning and success.
  3. Connecting families to resources and support, including United Way’s 211 Information & Referral Service and other community resources, so every child is ready to learn every day.

Sponsorship

Invest in our community’s future. Become a Read United sponsor. For questions or to secure your sponsorship, contact [email protected] or (912) 651-7700.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Community Impact

See the difference we’re making in our community. Download and share with anyone interested in learning more about our work.

Download Impact Flyer

Donate

Your donation provides life-changing literacy support to local children—helping them reach the language milestones that determine their future success.

Give Today

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Sponsorship Opporunities

For questions or to secure your sponsorship, contact [email protected] or (912) 651-7700.

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