Amy Ward, Director of Volunteer Engagement at United Way, told about the Read to Succeed program in Tippecanoe County schools. The program was started five years ago at Miller School with twenty volunteers. There are now twenty elementary schools involved and 600 volunteers participate. Volunteers go once each week to spend an hour helping elementary children with their reading skills, such as letter recognition or sight vocabulary, or just listening as the students read. The goal is to help all children read at their correct grade level. This program is unique to our area and has proven successful. Reading scores have risen and attendance and behavior of the children have improved. Teachers and parents are enthusiastic supporters of the program. Most volunteers are women, although male volunteers are often requested by the teachers. One measure of success is the retention rate of volunteers one year to the next, which is 62%. A number of Rotarians in our Club do participate in the Read to Succeed program. Others are encouraged to volunteer by contacting United Way of Greater Lafayette.
GUESTS:
Craig Hadley, guest of JO WADE; Tom and Bob Stolz, guests of RENEE FIGUEROA; Amy Wood, guest of GAIL BRICKLER; Luanne Frampton, wife of MIKE FRAMPTON; Rudy Klim, husband of IYA KLIM.