Since 2008, Reading Champions has delivered consistent early literacy support with the largest volunteer driven program in town with 120+ volunteers in 11 schools and five after school programs reaching 400+ students.
Greenwich, CT – Greenwich United Way’s (GUW) Reading Champions Volunteers and Greenwich Public School Literacy Specialists were honored at Athena Books on Wednesday, May 20th, for an exclusive author meet-and-greet with world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Tommy Wood, who celebrated the release of his new book, The Stimulated Mind.
This was the 3rd annual event of its kind and was embodied by the shared commitment of Greenwich United Way Reading Champions Program and Athena Books to the importance of literacy engagement and community education. Dr. Tommy Wood, a physician, Formula 1 sports performance coach, and neuroscientist specializing in lifelong brain health, dispelled the myth that the brain is doomed to decline with age. Instead, by providing the right stimulus and building more “headroom”—the amount of mental function we have available to us—we can help our brain to adapt and develop.
“Dr. Woods’ research also shows that volunteerism sparks beneficial mental stimulation and social connection across age groups. Being a part of Reading Champions in Greenwich provides just that: meaningful engagement coupled with lasting community impact in early literacy. While volunteers are motivated to progress reading skills, they also benefit from their weekly sessions, passing their knowledge to the next generation,” said Cecile Meunier, GUW’s Champions Manager.
Reading Champions began in 2008 with a pilot program at North Mianus School with eight reading tutors trained by literacy specialists to work with 24 students in first and second grade. This fall will mark its 18th year of literacy support, helping improve reading fluency among Greenwich elementary students. Reading Champions currently has 120 volunteers providing one-on-one tutoring to 400 students across all public elementary schools and five after-school programs, including new sites at the YMCA and Family First at New Lebanon School, which serves ESL families through evening sessions.
“The success and effectiveness of Reading Champions is exemplified by our incredible team of literacy volunteers,” said David Rabin, CEO of GUW. “The program is rewarding for both students and volunteers alike, and we hope to grow our team of volunteers with a continual increase of our positive impact on the young learners in our town – whether we reach them during the school day or outside the classroom at one of the five after-school programs we will serve in the upcoming school year.”
Those interested in attending Reading Champions Open House on September 29th should contact Champions Program Manager Cecile Meunier at cmeunier@greenwichunitedway.org or call 203-869-2221 for more details on how to join this impactful initiative.
About Greenwich United Way
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, GUW exists to help identify and address the health, educational, and self-sufficiency needs specific to its local community and to create and effect meaningful, lasting solutions. Through various fundraising efforts and ongoing research, the organization is able to directly grant the funds necessary to accomplish this goal. GUW also invests in and conducts collaborative efforts to address broad-based community needs with partnering nonprofit agencies. For more information, visit https://greenwichunitedway.org, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook
