The United Way of Greater Milwaukee recently launched an initiative to recruit 3,000 new volunteer readers, tutors and mentors over the next three years. The initiative was launched during the “Brewers Hill Literacy Day” event on Tuesday.
“Our hope is that by mobilizing a neighborhood, we can mobilize our entire community to become readers, tutors and mentors,” said Nicole Angresano, vice president of community impact at the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. “We know that children who have caring adults who take the time to read to them, to tutor or mentor them, are far more successful academically and have a better chance of graduating from high school.”
The event was held at Carver Academy and COA Youth & Family Centers and coincided with United Way’s Intern Day of Action. Nearly 250 college interns from Rockwell Automation, Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual, BMO Harris Bank, MillerCoors, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Briggs & Stratton, Pentair and The Mark Travel Corporation were paired with more than 250 children ages 3-16 from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and COA Youth & Family Centers.
The young mentors and children spent the afternoon reading and participating in interactive literacy-based games led by First Stage Children’s Theater. Each child received a free book to take home, courtesy of Next Door Foundation. The event was designed to help raise awareness about the important role adults play in a child’s academic success through reading, tutoring and mentoring.
The United Way of Greater Milwaukee has pledged to sign up 3,000 volunteers and has partnered with Next Door Foundation, Interfaith’s RSVP Tutor Program, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee Inc. along with other youth serving groups to recruit and place the new volunteers, who will be offered many opportunities with a range of commitment levels.
“These three partners have wonderful programs already established within the reading, tutoring and mentoring arenas” Angresano said. “We are grateful for their expertise and partnership as we work to improve education outcomes in our community.”
To learn more or sign up to become a reader, tutor or mentor, please visit www.UnitedWayMilwaukee.org/ReaderTutorMentor.
