For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Learning for Life Reading Mentor Program matches volunteers with students in kindergarten to third grade who could use a little extra help with their reading skills.

Volunteers meet with their student(s) weekly for one hour during the school year from October to May.  Participating schools include:  Grove Elementary School, Humke Elementary School, Port Edwards Elementary School, Mead Elementary Charter School and Washington Elementary School.

Reading mentors may read to their students – or the students may read to the volunteers – and/or play literacy games.  The program also provides students with an extra trusted adult in their lives. The goal is to ensure that all students are able to read at the proficient level by the end of third grade.

“The program is important, especially for those kids who fall between the cracks,” said Tari Jahns, United Way of Inner Wisconsin CEO and Women United member.  “A classroom may have students who already do well with reading and do not need help; and students who need a lot of help and get extra attention from the teacher.  Learning for Life is especially helpful to those students who could use just a little extra help from a volunteer so teachers do not have to choose between students.”

Women United is looking to recruit over 100 volunteers for the upcoming school year.  Volunteers will need to attend a training in September and will need to pass a background check.

To apply, please visitwww.uwiw.org and fill out an online form; or call the United Way office at 715-421-0390.