ReadingPals

MENTOR TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
60 MINUTES MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD

In Manatee County ReadingPals we provide mentors to VPK (4-year-old) children at local child care sites to positively influence students’ understanding of the fundamental building blocks of early literacy. In addition, through genuine and impactful relationships, mentors help enhance a solid social-emotional foundation for young learners.

Offered in Manatee County through the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County under the direction of the Children's Movement of Florida.
Mentors meet weekly in person with 1-3 students at a time (25+ sessions).
Screening, training, continuous mentor support, and books provided by the ELC of Manatee County.
Students receive copies of the read-aloud books to enjoy at home.

Start times for ReadingPals are between 9-11 am, Monday-Thursday for 1 hour each week.

Interested in Becoming a Volunteer?

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ReadingPals Testimony

"The ReadingPals program has enhanced the joy of reading for our child. She has counted down the days every week in anticipation of ReadingPals day and was sad to hear when it was going to be the last time she will see her ReadingPal. Every week, on the day of ReadingPals, she comes home and excitedly shares her ReadingPals experience. Also, on that same day, we have to read the ReadingPals book she comes home with. We believe that the ReadingPals program should continue to be incorporated into more schools so that more children can become more excited to read." - Family

Donate to help us make a difference in the lives of 4-5-year-old children
with mentors, books, and crucial literacy skills.

Donate Today!

Employers, did you know?

Volunteering doesn't just help others. It improves your organization!

Employees who volunteer and feel good about where they work tend to:

work harder
take pride in their company
communicate better
learn better critical thinking skills
enhance problem-solving skills

So, if you want a purpose-driven and engaged workforce, consider your staff for volunteering for ReadingPals!

In ReadingPals, your team will mentor VPK (4-year-old) students at local child care sites to positively influence students' understanding of the fundamental building blocks of early literacy. These relationships that the mentors build with the students enhance a solid social-emotional foundation for young learners.

And that's something we can all feel good about!

To participate, contact the ELC of Manatee County
(941) 757-2900 ext. 2501
ReadingPals@elc-manatee.org

ReadingPals Mission:

ReadingPals is a statewide early literacy initiative that provides volunteer mentors for students from pre-K to 3rd grade who may need extra help. Over the last 11 years, our ReadingPals volunteers have been paired with thousands of young children in Florida. They build meaningful relationships and help improve their social-emotional development and early literacy skills.

ReadingPals is managed by The Children’s Movement of Florida and administered through 15 United Ways and local agencies — with the help of numerous community partners across the state.

Pillars (What we hope to achieve):

Mentoring: To build a love of reading through impactful relationships between students and mentors.
Early Literacy: To improve students’ understanding of the fundamental building blocks of early literacy.
Social-Emotional Development: To help students build a strong social-emotional foundation through self-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Additional Resources - ReadingPals Statewide