United Way reading program needs volunteers

We know that a quality education is the foundation of our ability to be self-sufficient. The more self-sufficient families we have in our community, the stronger and healthier our community is. Too many of our students are struggling with the most basic element required to experience success -- reading. And you can make the difference.

Students who don't read on grade level by the end of third grade are four times as likely to drop out of high school later. Targeting reading proficiency is a key component of the United Way's larger strategy to improve high school graduation rates.

A new reading intervention program has begun in Cape Girardeau and Jackson that is already having impressive results. More than 95 percent of kindergarten and first grade students that participate in the program achieve reading level -- and, more importantly, stay on reading level. The key ingredient of this program is volunteers who commit only 30 minutes a week to help a student learn to read.

It's a simple answer to a simple problem. The one-on-one attention these students receive from adults that truly care about them is profound. As well as the measurable results in reading levels, the additional benefits of boosting their confidence and self-esteem go a long way in helping our children be successful.

This program is being offered at all elementary schools in Jackson and at Blanchard Elementary and Alma Schrader in Cape Girardeau. We need more volunteers. Visit the United Way website and click on "volunteer" or call the United Way at 334-9634 to find out more -- then sign up, for our children and for our community.

Nancy Jernigan is the executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri.