Power Read is a literacy and mentoring program that pairs volunteers and elementary school students to read together on a weekly basis. Everybody Wins! Iowa and United Way of Central Iowa are partnering to provide reading and mentoring experiences to children who might not have one-on-one attention from an adult.
By sharing just 30 minutes a week of your time, you can change a child's future!
Fill out the form below if you are interested in volunteering to help central Iowa students as a Power Reader. We will contact you to share information about upcoming opportunities.
The majority of students served by Power Read are struggling readers facing many barriers and may come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Power Read is an opportunity for these students to practice reading and develop literacy skills with a caring adult outside the classroom.
Reading proficiently by third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and later career success. Students who are behind in reading by the end of third grade are four times more likely to not graduate from high school. Among U.S. adults with only basic reading skills, 51 percent are unemployed. Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. Source: National Center of Educational Statistics
Each week, mentors meet their students at school to spend time talking and reading together. The program often takes place during the lunch period at school, but some Power Read sites offer programs before school, after school or in the evening.
The sessions are held each week at the same time and on the same day and usually last about 30 minutes.
Volunteer training, grade-level appropriate books and literacy kits designed by reading experts are provided.
Students who participate in the Power Read program benefit from consistent and positive interactions with caring adults:
Mentors benefit from meaningful experiences and the knowledge that they are making a positive impact on a child’s future:
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA
1111 9TH ST • Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 246-6500 • contactus@unitedwaydm.org
United Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 18 straight years from Charity Navigator, an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States. This record places United Way of Central Iowa in the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Click the logo to review our complete evaluation.
United Way of Central Iowa has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. The seal is given to nonprofits who have achieved the highest level of transparency through disclosures, information made available to the public, and accuracy and frequency of updates. Click the logo to learn more.