United Way of Central Georgia launches literacy initiative

Woodford believes reading is foundational for children's educational growth.  

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Reading is fundamental to success in school, work, and life. For that reason, United Way of Central Georgia is launching its Read By Example literacy initiative.  

According to Dr. Sundra Woodford, community schools director at United Way of Central Georgia, studies show some children are two grade levels behind in reading due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. 

“And that’s just unacceptable, and this is not a hard problem to solve, I don’t think,” Woodford said. “So, just involving our community and getting that reinforcement at home, that supports reading during school, hours. It’s just a really great thing for us to be doing at this time.”

Woodford believes reading is foundational for children’s educational growth.  

“Children learn to read up to grade three, and then after third grade they read to learn. So, it’s important for them to get that foundational support. Also reading in the home and taking those lessons from the classroom,” Woodford said.

She says this initiative will build a stronger connection within everyone in the community. 

“We are hoping to build social cohesion in the communities,” she added. “We are hoping to build a connection between what happens at the schoolhouse and what happens in the community.”

Woodford explains the initiative also aligns with what Bibb County schools are emphasizing. 

“Schools focus right now is literacy and increasing literacy as well as our county government through its mayor literacy alliance,” she said. “So, bring those two partners together to address a community problem, it’s a really good intervention.”

The United Way is asking people to read to their children from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 and post photos to social media. Make sure to tag the United Way of Central Georgia on Facebook “for a chance to be featured.”

For more information, contact Beverly Wright at (478) 390-0002 or Dr. Sundra Woodford at (478) 972-1429.