Lehigh Valley Reads Launches Million Minute Challenge to Increase Childhood Literacy<\/p>\n
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and partners invite you to join the community-wide effort to promote reading and support third-grade literacy, a crucial predictor of future success, during National Reading Month<\/em><\/p>\n Allentown, PA, February 29, 2024 <\/strong>\u2013 When a child is reading on grade level by the end of third grade, they are up to 13 times more likely to graduate high school. Lehigh Valley Reads is mobilizing our community to join the largest Lehigh Valley-wide reading challenge\u2014the Million Minute Challenge<\/a> in partnership with Crayola and Truist, to support our goal of building a community of readers to make the region a place of opportunity for all.<\/p>\n “The Million Minute Challenge is a powerful call to action to UNITE our community around the vital importance of reading,\u201d said Jill Pereira, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at United Way. \u201cTogether with teachers, families and partners throughout the Lehigh Valley, we’re proud to champion third-grade literacy, a cornerstone for future success.”<\/p>\n The Million Minute Challenge is a digital based, community mobilization event focused on promoting reading with a collective goal of reading 1,000,000 minutes or more throughout the month of March. Participants can read anywhere \u2013 on lunch breaks, in waiting rooms or after homework, and can read anything \u2013 comic books, poems, novels or online articles.<\/p>\n \u201cAt Crayola, we believe in the transformative power of literacy and the importance of community collaboration,\u201d said Karen Kelly, Manager, Executive Communications, DEI, and Community Engagement at Crayola. \u201cThe Million Minute Challenge embodies our commitment to supporting students, families and partners in advancing childhood literacy across the Lehigh Valley.\u201d<\/p>\n Lehigh Valley Reads is a regional literacy campaign, powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, to ensure all Lehigh Valley students read on grade level by the end of third grade by 2030. Third grade is the pivotal moment when children transition from learning how to read, to reading to learn, and it is the most important predictor of high school graduation and future life success.<\/p>\n For this year\u2019s National Reading Month, volunteers will read to students while mascot Corey delivers reading materials, supplies and more to seven United Way Community Schools<\/a>: Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton, Donegan Elementary School and Marvine Elementary School in Bethlehem, Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays Elementary School, Central Elementary School and Ramos Elementary School in Allentown and Panther Valley Elementary School in Nesquehoning.<\/p>\n “Reading not only fosters a thriving community but also inspires us to reach our fullest potential,\u201d said Khushboo Jain, Director, Community Schools Network at United Way. \u201cOur mission is to equip every student in the Lehigh Valley with the essential tools to read on grade level by third grade, empowering them to unlock endless opportunities for success.”<\/p>\n Everyone is invited to participate in this regional campaign to collectively read 1,000,000 minutes or more throughout the month of March. Families, individuals, schools and groups can pledge their minutes online through March 31 at www.unitedwayglv.org\/million<\/a>.<\/p>\n Registration is free and open to all ages.<\/p>\n About United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley<\/strong><\/p>\n United Way fights for the health, safety and education of every person in the Greater Lehigh Valley and envisions communities where every person belongs and every person thrives. We strive to achieve this goal by assessing community needs, raising funds, investing in solutions and mobilizing our community to action. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayGLV.org<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lehigh Valley Reads Launches Million Minute Challenge to Increase Childhood Literacy United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and partners invite you to join the community-wide effort to promote reading … Continue reading Lehigh Valley Reads Launches Million Minute Challenge to Increase Childhood Literacy<\/span>
\nLaura McHugh
\nVice President, Marketing and Communications
\nUnited Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
\nwww.unitedwayglv.org <\/a><\/p>\n
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