Reading Adventure program sparks imagination in kids

By Kirsten Stokes

Those who enjoy reading and have an hour a week to spare are being asked to join the United Way on an adventure.

Volunteers with the United Way Reading Adventure program visit local elementary schools once a week to read to children to help develop their skills. Jodi Flurry, director of community investment with United Way, said the program promotes literacy and allows volunteers, teachers and students to use teamwork for learning purposes.

“We’re very appreciative of the partnership with the schools and the volunteers. We’ve been doing this program for more than 10 years, and we have some volunteers who have been with us the entire time,” she said. “Every week there are new people who come out and volunteer. It is a simple, fun way to volunteer and it can really have an impact.”

Kindergarten student Ivory Goudeau enjoys reading because it lets her use her imagination.

“My favorite books to read are unicorn books because they have wings,” Goudeau said.

Her classmate Avery Stephenson said books offer an important developmental benefit.

“Reading is good because it makes your brain get bigger,” she said.

Reading books like “Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen” by Howard Binkow or “Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend” by Mélanie Watt allows the children to learn valuable lessons that they can apply both inside and outside the classroom.

“This fall we are reading to five different elementary schools,” Flurry said. “Our hope is that through this program if we can get kids excited about reading, they’re more likely to read at home and build that love of reading and reading is foundational to so much of their education.”

The Reading Adventure program lasts until Dec. 13. To sign up for the remaining spots or for more information on next year’s sessions, contact Flurry at jodi.flurry@stjosephunitedway.org