Love of Literacy

Did you know? Children who read proficiently by the end of third grade are more likely to succeed academically and graduate from high school prepared for college and careers.

Currently, in Pima County only 43% of third graders are reading fluently. Literacy skills develop the foundation on which our children learn and thrive!

United Way Programing:

1. Cradle to Career (C2C) brings together a broad range of partners from across sectors using data and alignment of resources to identify and spread strategies that improve educational outcomes for children, youth and young adults. Visit c2cpima.org to learn more.

2. My Summer Library brings free age-appropriate books to the youngest developing readers in 15 elementary schools in Pima County as part of ReadOn Pima's efforts to improve third grade reading scores in seven school districts.

Become a Literacy Advocate: What Can You Do to help promote literacy?

1. READ
+ Read aloud to children daily and encourage them to read on their own for at least 20 minutes a day;
+ Read the signs and posters you encounter while you grocery shop and run errands with your children, tell them what the signs mean and why you are reading them.
+ Demonstrate the importance of reading by picking up a book, magazine or newspaper for yourself and read next to your children.

2. CONNECT
+ Download the free Make Way for Books app or visit their website to learn about their programming for young children and their families;
+ Visit the Literacy Connects website to learn about their programming for school age children and adults who want to improve their literacy skills. It is never too late for anyone to strengthen their reading skills!
+ Obtain your free library card and one for each of your children at the Pima County Library

3. CELEBRATE
+ Join us as we honor Early Childhood Educators who are going above and beyond the normal curriculum to instill excitement for literacy in students.Now in its 5th year, our annual Literacy Champion Awards Nominations for this award will open October 12. Email [email protected] for more information.