On Sunday, April 29, and Monday, April 30, The Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony invited the Greenwich United Way to honor its Reading Champions’ Volunteers and celebrate the program’s 10th Anniversary. The event was a season finale concert entitled ‘Transcendent Song’.  “Greenwich United Way Tutors, Board members, and Staff enjoyed a truly spectacular performance,” said Champions Program Coordinator, Cecile Meunier.  She continued, “It was an honor to partner with this special event to mark the occasion and the program’s widespread commitment to enhancing reading fluency. Over 400 public elementary school students benefit each year with the help of over 100 volunteers.”  The concert program featured a selection of classical Chamber music at Round Hill Community Church on Sunday, where Christine Boies, President of the Chamber Players, welcomed the Greenwich United Way and recognized the Reading Champion Program.

Dan Haugh, Associate Pastor of Round Hill Community Church, then gave his firsthand experience of volunteering within the program. “It is a pleasure being a Reading Champions volunteer tutor, the impact that this program provides volunteers is so rewarding. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the students I tutor,” said Haugh. During his volunteer testimony, he mentioned that since the program’s inception 10 years ago, Reading Champions has benefited over 4,000 children in the Greenwich Elementary School system. Haugh then concluded by encouraging attendees to learn more about the program by contacting the Greenwich United Way.

Following the Sunday concert, there was a reception during which Christine Boies introduced David Rabin, CEO of the Greenwich United Way. Rabin offered a toast to the Reading Champions Volunteers and elaborated on the success of the reading fluency program. He explained more about the personal connection fostered by the one-on-one relationship that the volunteer and student develop working together. He also talked about the impact that the program has far beyond the time they spend. Rabin, citing several stories about how students come to regard their tutors as mentors in their academic progress, said “I’m often touched by the happy moment’s students experience when they see their tutor out in the community. This is one more person in their life that is making a difference – and maybe the only one. I’m so satisfied with the volunteer retention we have within this program. Tutors stay active for years and recruit their family, friends, and colleagues. With that said, we do need more volunteers so we can bring more students into this program,” said Rabin.

To learn more about Reading Champions please visit the Greenwich United Way website (greenwichunitedway.org) or email Program Coordinator, Cecile Meunier (cmeunier@greenwichunitedway.org).

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Greenwich United Way Reading Champions, in partnership with the Greenwich Public Schools, is a literacy program pairing Greenwich youth with trained community volunteers in an effort to build fluency skills during the school year. Since 2008, Reading Champions volunteers have assisted over 3,000 children in achieving individual reading goals in fluency. Over 100 volunteer tutors contribute an average of 4000+ volunteer hours each year. By enabling students to obtain immediate feedback and receive one-on-one personal attention, the program has been a resounding and proven success. In conjunction with the Greenwich Public School reading curriculum, Reading Champions contributes to the development and growth of students’ fluency. Currently, Greenwich United Way Reading Champions serves all 11 elementary schools in Greenwich and the Byram Archibald Neighborhood Center (BANC), Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich (BGCG), and the YWCA of Greenwich. Volunteer tutors are trained, no teaching experience is needed, and tutoring opportunities are always available. For more information contact Greenwich United Way at 203-869-2221 or email Program Coordinator, Cecile Meunier (cmeunier@greenwichunitedway.org). #GUWReadingChampions

The Greenwich United Way (GUW) shares a name with approximately 1,200 other similar organizations across the nation, although the Greenwich, Connecticut division is a privately incorporated, locally governed, nonprofit agency. As a volunteer-driven organization, the Greenwich United Way exists to help identify and address the health, educational and self-sufficiency needs specific to its local community and to create and affect meaningful, lasting solutions. Through various fundraising efforts and on-going research, the organization is able to directly grant the funds necessary to accomplish this goal. The Greenwich United Way also invests in and conducts collaborative efforts to address broad-based community needs with partnering nonprofit agencies. Visit Greenwich United Way online to learn more (greenwichunitedway.org). Instagram @GreenwichUnitedWay Twitter @GreenwichUW #WeAreGreenwich