Read United is a year-round series of programs aiming to improve early language and childhood literacy and serves students throughout Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long counties. Read United works to close the early literacy gap by providing emerging and early readers with new books to build their home libraries and an engaging volunteer reading experience in the classroom. There are two premier initiatives under Read United, including Read United Buddies.
In 2023, United Way of the Coastal Empire, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Savannah and Savannah Chatham County Public School System, launched Read United Buddies, an early literacy pilot program designed to help selected second graders close the literacy gap. Site Coordinators and volunteers directly support students with an evidence-based curriculum and shared-reading. Volunteers are asked to commit for the entire school year, spending one-hour, twice weekly, reading with a second grader who needs support to read on grade level.