United We Read launched a new project on Jan. 18 called United We Read in correlation with a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. This project involved a partnership between the Mayfield-Graves County United Way and Sherri Anderson, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer from Murray State.
United We Read was implemented by utilizing high school student leaders to positively impact elementary school students through mentoring. By achieving the goals of this project, we have an opportunity to make a tremendous impact in our community by improving literacy and bridging barriers of age, ethnicity, and culture. Mayfield High School students participating in Murray State’s “Connect to College” course read award winning biographies on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. to kindergarten through second grade students at Mayfield Elementary School. The Mayfield-Graves County United Way donated these books, following the event, to each participating MES classroom.
“The event was a huge success and we are looking forward to the next “United We Read”, as well as involving additional schools and community members,” Andersons said. “The high school students did a great job involving the elementary students in the stories.”
United We Read will be an ongoing project within the school systems. Community participation in this project is encouraged. For more information contact United Way of Murray-Calloway County at 270-753-0316 or visit www.VolunteerMurray.org.For more information on AmeriCorps, including local and national service opportunities, visit americorps.gov or email sherri.anderson@kycompact.
