Welcome to the United Way Readers Program, 2021-2022, organized by the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

1. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Winter/Spring 2021
Volunteer Orientation

2. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
The United Way Readers Program
is designed to increase the number
of children reading on grade level
by the end of third grade.
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Since 2011, Readers has been
recruiting and organizing
volunteers to read to students
for one hour, once a week
throughout the school year.

3. Only 24.5% of Hartford
students were reading at
grade level, with over 52%
multiple grades behind.
78% of Hartford
students are eligible
for free or reduced
lunch, and 90% are
racial minorities.
Students not reading proficiently by fourth grade are 4 times
more likely to drop out of school. If these students are low-
income, they are 6 times more likely to drop out.

4. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Research shows that having one or more
caring adults outside the home in a child’s
life increases the likelihood they will flourish,
and become productive adults themselves.1
Students that read an extra 20 minutes per
day will hear 1.8 million words per year. They
will have read for 851 hours by 6th grade and
on standardized tests, they will likely score
better than 90% of their peers.2
Sources: 1. ChildTrends.org 2. Dubuque Campaign for Grade Level Reading
Help Kids Read. Help Kids Succeed.

5. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Thanks to contributions
from volunteers like you, historically,
94%
of the students served by United Way
Readers demonstrated improvement in
their end-of-grade reading scores
Community Impact
Hartford
New Britain
East Hartford
Natchaug
Hazardville
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6. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Burns Latino Studies Academy
West Middle School
Sources: 1. ChildTrends.org 2. Dubuque Campaign for Grade Level Reading
María Colón Sánchez Elementary
Sarah J. Rawson Elementary
Fred D. Wish Museum School
S.A.N.D. Elementary School
Michael D Fox Elementary School
School and
Agency
Partners - 2021

7. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
This year, the United Way
Readers program has adapted
to the changing public health
situation by transitioning to a
virtual model with...
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8. Volunteers will provide reading support to 1st- 3rd
grade students in the Hartford area.
Volunteer from anywhere with an Internet connection
(office/work, home, smart phone, laptop, PC, etc.)
25 minute online training and online background check.
No experience necessary!
Time commitment: 30-60 min, once each week or so.
Program will run from February 8th to May 28th, 2021.

9. All volunteers are required
to do a background check.
This will automatically
come through your email
and prompt you to order
your background check.
Background
Check
Complete your background check when
prompted via email. Your screening will
be through Sterling Volunteers
(theadvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com).

11. • Volunteers and students read
together on RAZ-Plus, which
offers custom e-libraries for
students, all tailored to their
individual reading levels.
• Some books will be slightly
easier, while others will be
slightly more difficult.
• Student levels will be monitored
throughout the year.
• As students read with their tutors,
they’ll progress, and their levels will
need adjustment.
• Use the Vello Session Feedback
Survey to remark on student progress.

12. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Download & print the Vello Tutoring Session Guide from the Vello Portal.
Store it at your desk or wherever is convenient. You’ll need this by your
side during each session (or at least your first few).

13. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Announcements will be posted on the Vello Portal.
Additional Volunteer Information and Resources can be found
on our Weebly site: https://unitedwayreaders.weebly.com/
This information will include:
• Site Coordinator Contact Information
• School Information Sheet
• District Calendar
• Get-to-Know-You Activity
Additional Volunteer Resources
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14. Volunteer
Agreement
Review and sign the United
Way Readers Volunteer
Agreement. The link is
available in the “Training”
section of the Vello Portal.

15. Volunteers are asked to
commit to regular attendance.
If you’re going to be tardy or
absent for a reading session,
please contact your school
liaison as soon as possible.
Volunteers are not responsible
for managing students’
behavior.
If there are any issues, please
contact the school liaison.
And note it in the feedback
survey after each session.
Volunteer Agreement
- Key Points

16. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Sources: 1. ChildTrends.org 2. Dubuque Campaign for Grade Level Reading
Help us match you to the
school/agency partner whose
schedule best meets your own!
Share your availability with us by
completing the survey at the end
of the Volunteer Agreement.
Volunteer
Assignments

17. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
2021 - Program Dates & Scheduling
TBD, January 2021
Volunteer Orientation(s)
Week of February 8th, 2021
UWR Program starts
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021
Read Across America Day
Monday, April 12th – Friday, April 16th, 2021
• NO PROGRAM – Spring Break
Week of May 24th, 2021
• LAST WEEK OF THE PROGRAM!
*Rolling volunteer registration through May 7th,
2021*

18. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Phil Blonski
Community
Engagement
Senior Manager
Our
Readers
Team
Mark Olynciw
Americorps VISTA
Youth Success
Reach us at
readers@unitedwayinc.org

19. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
United Way Staff and our partner
schools are committed to ensuring
Volunteers (like you!) and students
have a good experience.
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Volunteers are asked to share
information on their experience
periodically and are welcome to share
suggestions or comments at any time.
Please email readers@unitedwayinc.org
with feedback or to speak with United Way
Staff on-site.

20. United Way of Central and
Northeastern Connecticut
unitedwayinc.org
Thank you.
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