Little Red Wagon Reading Mobile

by Cristiana Ventura, Marketing & Resource Development Intern

On March 31st, United Way of Pierce County in partnership with South Sound Together closed the application link for the Live United Neighborhood Grants program. The application remained open for 4 weeks- and dozens of submissions rolled in!

The grant committee is currently in the application review process- but by simply skimming some of the applications, I am truly excited to see what positive impact some of these groups will make on their neighborhoods.

In honor of this exciting process, I thought I would highlight another one of our previous Neighborhood Grant project recipients:

Group: 8^th & I Neighbors

Project: Little Red Wagon Reading Mobile

Many of the children in the area read below grade level. They participate in the Read2Me program during the school year, but the program does not continue in the summer. Many of the children do not have access to a library nor do they have appropriate reading material at home. 

Live United Neighborhood Grant funds were used to create Little Red Reading Wagon providing books for the children to read in the summer to maintain and enhance the skills they’ve developed during the school year. The Reading Wagon was stationed at Neighbors Park throughout the summer each Monday and Thursday afternoon. Volunteers helped kids borrow and return books.

Successful Kids: Alex

Alex was 8-years-old when he first became a member of the Henry T. Schatz Boys & Girls Club. Alex’s teacher had recommended the Club to his mother to help him with homework and improving his math skills.

Alex was struggling to keep up with his classmates in learning long addition and subtraction. However, he was able to participate in math games that allowed him to practice his skills without realizing he was learning. The Club quickly became a place that Alex could have fun with new friends, eat a free snack and hot dinner, and also participate in academic programs every day after school.

We asked Alex what his favorite part of going to the Boys & Girls Club is, he excitedly replied, “Mango Math!” 

Since joining the Club, Alex is now performing at grade level in math and has also enhanced his reading and writing skills.

Alex’s success story is one of many. Through the Project Learn program, like Alex, youth are given the opportunity to enhance their educational experience and are inspired to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

Project Learn is just one of the many programs receiving funding from United Way of Pierce County. By focusing on programs that help young children and their families, we can remove the barriers preventing them from breaking the cycle of poverty.