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WARREN – Volunteers from GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women’s League were in every second-grade classroom at Jefferson PK-8 School in Warren providing backpacks and books and reading to students as part of the United Way’s Reading Great by 8 Literacy Initiative.
Ginny Pasha, president of United Way of Trumbull County, said, “Reading 4 Fun is one of several programs within our Reading Great by 8 Literacy Initiative, all of which are designed to increase the number of Trumbull County children reading at grade level by grade three. Reading 4 Fun will help children experience the fun of reading and become lifelong readers.”
Pasha said second grade students received a Read 4 Fun backpack filled with three books, the craft materials and snack.
Reading 4 Fun is a partnership between United Way of Trumbull County, the GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women’s League, and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
“GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women’s League has had a long standing relationship with the Jefferson PK-8 building,” said Renee’ Maiorca, president of the GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women’s League.
“The new partnership with the United Way and the Scrappers gives WJWL additional resources to serve more students in a more meaningful way,” she said.
Over the past few months, the United Way and GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women’s League both conducted a gently used book drive and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers collected books for the program this past July.
Pasha said that the intent, though, was to make this more than just a book giveaway.
“I am very grateful that Warren Junior Women’s League has agreed to spend an hour in the classroom having fun with the students – reading, making a craft and sharing a snack. These women have a commitment to our community and to the students specifically,” she said.
Carrie Boyer, principal at Jefferson PK-8 School said, “The teachers are pleased to have the volunteers give their students this special time and reinforce the teachers’ emphasis on reading skills.”
Pasha, who was at Jefferson PK-8 School said, “It is critically important for our community that our kids are reading at grade level by grade 3 – age 8 in most cases.”
Warren Schools Superintendent Steve Chiaro has placed third-grade reading as a focus of the district.
“We are thankful for the support of United Way, Warren Junior Women’s League, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and United Way donors for providing this chance for our students. This is a great example of the community coming together on a common cause,” he said.
GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women’s League members have been giving to their community since 1966. To learn more, visit www.wjwl.org.