By Jason Blume,
Assistant Superintendent of Communications and Community Relations
At Harlem School District, we believe that reading opens doors—to knowledge, to confidence, and to endless possibilities. Thanks to our partnership with United Way of Rock River Valley, nearly 30 dedicated volunteers are making a powerful impact through the I READ program at Parker Center, Ralston Elementary, and Olson Park Elementary.
When United for Literacy launched in 2023, only 32% of third graders were reading at grade level or above. This means only 1 in 3 children read well enough to understand the more advanced material that fourth grade brings - requiring them to read to learn history, word problems in math, and more.
United Way of Rock River Valley (UWRRV) has mobilized the community to action by bringing Reach Out and Read (ROR) to Winnebago County, a groundbreaking initiative to enhance pediatric literacy. ROR benefits 4.4 million children nationwide and is the only national pediatric literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Local healthcare partners Crusader Community Health, UW Health, Mercy Health, and OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center support this effort.