(RLS) initiative, inviting community members to support local 2nd–3rd grade students as Volunteer Readers or Pen Friends. Opportunities are available during the school day across Jackson Parish, Lincoln Parish, Monroe City, Morehouse Parish, Ouachita Parish, and Union Parish school districts, with brief, consistent time commitments depending on the individual school.
RLS pairs volunteers with individual students as one-on-one readers and/or pen friends to spark a love of reading, boost comprehension, and nurture writing and relationship-building.
“When a caring adult shows up — whether to read for 30 minutes or write an encouraging letter — it changes how a child sees themselves and what’s possible,” said Michelle Saucer, Senior Community Impact Director at United Way of Northeast Louisiana. “READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. is about building confidence, joy, and momentum in literacy — one story, one student, one note at a time.”
How to Get Involved
Sign up & learn more: unitedwaynela.org/readlearnsucceed
Commitment: Once a month, in-person reading times as set by the individual school (training provided; no teaching experience required) and/or one written letter per month (guidelines specified during volunteer onboarding)
Roles:
- Volunteer Reader — read individually with assigned student once a month (October-March)
- Pen Friend — exchange letters with assigned student once a month (October-March)