United Readers

Building Reading Skills Through United ReadersUnited Readers Logo 1

United Readers is a United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra program designed to improve foundational literacy skills through mentoring with a specially trained AmeriCorps member. These AmeriCorps mentors meet with kindergarten through third-grade students one-on-one and in small groups focusing on phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear and manipulate sounds. Developed in collaboration with the Washoe County School District, United Readers officially launched in November 2020. 

In the 2022-2023 school year, United Readers' mentors provided in-person services to 324 students at Maxwell Elementary, Peavine Elementary, Silver Lake Elementary, Sun Valley Elementary, Echo Loder Elementary, Bordewich Bray Elementary, and Lahontan Elementary. Students are assessed before and after the program to track progress and skill development. 95% of students demonstrated improvement after participating in the United Readers program. 

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United Readers A
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United Readers Group 2022
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United Readers B

Interested in changing lives? Maybe your own?

 

 

United Readers | Mentor Spotlight: Tranae

Tranae Mentor Spotlight for United Readers

Hear from local Principals about how United Readers is making a difference in their schools: 

“The opportunity to have AmeriCorps Mentors come to our school was truly a blessing. Due to staffing shortages, we were unable to provide this level of intervention support to many of our students. Additionally, COVID has created a lot of reading gaps in our students, and the program was able to target these phonemic awareness skills that are not as heavily focused on in our regular curriculum. These mentors have truly been a Godsend! 

-Ashley Oliveria, Principal at Sun Valley Elementary 

"[Students] have all skyrocketed in their self-esteem and confidence, and I believe that is primarily because of the work you are doing with them. Their teachers are so thankful. The phonics work you are doing is also transferring to their classroom as teachers are noticing improvements in their reading abilities. Thank you again and keep up the great work!"  

-  Mr.Holmes, Principal at Peavine Elementary School 

“The United Readers program could not have come at a better time. With students in distance learning, our kindergarten and first-grade student needs are targeted, and they will be receiving extra support from trained AmeriCorps members...I know this will make a huge difference in the growth of our students’ foundational skills.” 

- Allison Fannin, Principal at Katherine Dunn Elementary 

Serve as an AmeriCorps Member for United Readers!

In-School Reading Mentors Full Time + In-School Reading Mentors Part Time

Members will assist children in grades Kindergarten through third grade in Washoe County with literacy acquisition skills to improve reading and reading fluency. Using pre-determined curriculum and lesson plans, and in conjunction with the school's literacy initiatives, members will conduct lessons and activities with students during reading blocks and independent work time in person. United Readers supports UWNNS's focus on early childhood literacy and goal of improving third-grade reading scores in northern Nevada.

Term of Service: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on school days in classroom or office setting. Part-time service is also available within those days/hours. United Readers mentors will serve at UWNNS and an assigned elementary school in Washoe County, Carson City, or Churchill County. 

In-School Literacy Mentor Position Description

If you have questions about serving with United Readers in the fall, please contact our Program Director, Krystal Nevada at UnitedReaders@uwnns.org.

Questions? Please contact Krystal Nevada, AmeriCorps Program Director, at (775) 325-8907 or by email at UnitedReaders@uwnns.org.

Partner Logos for United Readers

Empower the next student with literacy-building moments through a donation!

Thank you to the following corporate, foundation, and individual donors* who are making United Readers possible!

Corporate and Foundation Donors

Aware Benefits Company

Bank of America

Dollar General

Nevada Volunteers

Plumas Bank

Scheels

NV Energy Foundation

John Ben Snow Foundation

Susanne and Gloria Young Foundation

Nora Roberts Foundation

 

 

Individual Donors

Ann Silver, CEO, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce

Christie Gescheider, Co-Owner, Moana Nursery

Stephanie Kruse, Founder, KPS3

Rabbi Jeff and Mindy Glickman

Joseph Hindo and Microsoft Reno

John Nichols and the Movement Mortgage Foundation

 

 

*Donors listed have made a contribution of $500 or more since 2021.