United Way of the Lowcountry’s “Read Indeed” Program

AmeriCorps Members Help Students Improve Reading Skills Through United Way of the Lowcountry’s “Read Indeed” Program

As students head back to the classroom this month, AmeriCorps members supporting United Way of the Lowcountry’s Early Grade Reading (EGR) initiative, “Read Indeed” are heading back to school as well. Members serve along with more than 300 community volunteers as tutors in 12 elementary schools and preschools throughout Beaufort and Jasper Counties, providing reading assistance to students in Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade. AmeriCorps members are a core group of tutors who serve the entire school year.
“AmeriCorps members serve in the schools several days each week, providing continuity and stability to the ‘Read Indeed’ program,”’ said Bethany Marcinkowski, Vice President of Education Impact, United Way of the Lowcountry. “They are invaluable not only to the success of the program but the children they impact each day.”
The 2017/2018 service year included 28 AmeriCorps members from a wide range of backgrounds ranging from college students to retirees. Some of the members continued their service during the summer with the summer reading program.
During a recent ceremony concluding the end of the service year, Mary Mack, Willie Middleton and Fran Siegel were recognized for their four years of AmeriCorps service. Dorothy Edmondson was also recognized as the recipient of the award for Program Member of the Year.
United Way of the Lowcountry is currently recruiting AmeriCorps members for the upcoming 2018/2019 service year, which will begin in September. Members receive a small living allowance while serving, as well as an education award upon successful completion of service. Those interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member with the program should contact Carly Grubbs, AmeriCorps Program Director, at 843-837-2000 or cgrubbs@uwlowcountry.org.

More About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at 21,600 unique sites including nonprofits, schools, public agencies and community and faith-based groups across the country.
Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.4 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing more than 2.3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve.
Members gain valuable professional, educational, and life benefits, and the experience has a lasting impact on the members and the communities they serve.