News & Events
Do You Read? Then Volunteer!
Learn United is seeking thousands of volunteers for September! You don’t need specialized teaching skills nor tons of extra time — just a desire to help.
If you care about your community and you read, you are also qualified to volunteer. You can be the boost that a young reader needs. Click here to register, or call us at 260-469-4030.
Operation Backpack - Through Aug. 8
United Way, Indiana's NewsCenter and area McDonald's are teaming up to provide local children in need with school supplies. Drop off new school supplies at local McDonald's and receive a free small coffee or beverage. All supplies will go to children living in the county in which the supplies are donated. Download the flyer for more information.
Summer Reading Buddies Needed
United Way of Allen County’s Learn United initiative is in search of volunteers to help elementary students improve their literacy skills over the summer. “Summer Reading Buddies” are needed June 14 through August 13 at a variety of times and locations. Volunteers may sign up for as little as one hour a week for two weeks, and as much as several hours a week for ten weeks.
Site locations include: the Boys & Girls Club, East Allen Family Resource Center, Euell A. Wilson Center, Fort Wayne Urban League, Neighborhood Action Center, Study Elementary, Vincent Village, Wellspring sites (Plymouth Congregational Church, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and Trinity English Lutheran Church), and YMCA sites (Camp Glenwood, Camp Kekionga, Southeast Y and Old Fort Y).
Interested volunteers should call 260.469.4030, or visit www.LearnUnited.org and click on volunteer. All volunteers will receive training and undergo a background check.
Preschool Story Friends
Volunteer just 30 minutes of your time and be a Preschool Story Friend! As a Story Friend you will be reading books with young children, in a small group, or one-on-one, in an early childhood setting. You will be helping the children develop their early literacy skills as you share your time and love of books and reading with them.
To find Preschool opportunities, click on the Volunteer button, then click SEARCH. Choose to search by "Preferred Activities" and select Pre-Kindergarten. The search will narrow your options to just preschool opportunities.
Rally to Read
Join community partners for a the 5th annual Rally to Read from 11a-2p on September 26th
This family event takes place on the Hanna-Creighton campus, located around the Fort Wayne Urban League and Pontiac Library.
Lots of activities for kids and families! Free books, free food, entertainment and lots of fun!
At the end of the day, there will be drawings for complete reading rooms, including books and furniture.
Go Back to School with Learn United
Register today to volunteer at Learn United sites throughout our community. Be part of the 1000 volunteers needed this year to help close the 3rd grade reading gap.
Volunteers are trained to work with small groups of struggling readers, 2-3 students at a time, on specific literacy skills. Anyone can do this! You don't need any special education, just a willingness to help kids learn to read.
Sites include volunteering during the school day at Brentwood, Fairfield Meadowbrook, Nebraska, Northcrest, Forest Park, South Wayne, Southwick, Village and Waynedale. There are also some after school opportunities through programs like Study Connections and Project Reads.
Register Today! A volunteer coordinator will contact you to help select a time-slot and site that works for you. Click on the Volunteer tab and get ready to go back to school!
