June 7, 2022

When adults read with young children it makes them better prepared to start school. Studies have found that children whose caregivers read to them for twenty minutes a day find reading enjoyable and are ready to enter school with early literacy skills. It sounds so simple, yet 54.6% of children in Centre County are at risk for poor school performance. (PA Department of Child Development and Early Learning)

The Centre County United Way Partner Network and program sponsor, McQuaide Blasko Attorneys-at-Law, want all kids in Centre County to enter school with the skills they need to experience success as they progress through graduation and beyond. To that end, the Partner Network presents the “Raising Readers” program annual book drive.

The donated books are distributed to United Way Partner Network Agencies who have direct interaction with 0-5-year olds. Children and their parents or caregivers will receive a free book to take home and read together. Agency personnel follow-up with the caregiver and child during a subsequent meeting when the child will receive another book.

Raising Readers is available to all children in Centre County. If you would like more information about the program, please contact Centre County United Way at 814-238-8283 or visit www.ccunitedway.org – https://www.ccunitedway.org/raising-readers