Developing a way for our volunteers to grow and develop in their role can help to not only show them we value their contribution, but also to inspire them.
Over the last year here at UWWC, one such volunteer group has taken on more responsibility and seen a dramatic increase in their role working within the framework of UWWC’s overall goals.
This dedicated group of volunteers including Gigi Christel, Sally Kile, Christine Lewis, Kathy Matusiak, Ann McLellan, Sandy Rankin, and Elizabeth Talian has grown our Ready, Set, Let’s Read (RSLR) program into what it is today, with minimal staff support. Our RSLR program is a Strong Start volunteer reader program designed to prepare children for kindergarten. From 2014 - 2015, 22 readers read every week in 22 classrooms in four local preschools in greater Danbury. What these seven women have accomplished on behalf of UWWC is remarkable. They supported our RSLR program by coordinating reading sites, managing volunteers, organizing book donations and keeping book inventories, writing grants, and conducting orientation and training sessions.
Gigi Christel shared what it means to her to volunteer with us: “The results of many studies on school achievement have shown the importance of good preschools, engaging with and talking to young children, and reading to them. I feel very fortunate that my husband and I had the time and financial means to give our children a strong early childhood education. We did what we could to give our girls a strong platform before they entered kindergarten.”
“Other studies have shown that Connecticut has the largest achievement gap between financially stable and financially insecure children. I find this disheartening and appalling. When I heard about UWWC’s Ready, Set, Let's Read program, I thought that if I gave some time volunteering with the program, that I would get off the sidelines and do something to try to close this achievement gap.”
“I've witnessed first hand the joy that Ready, Set, Let's Read brings to both the children and the readers. The children love having another consistent adult in their lives and hearing the wonderful stories that are read to them, and the adults really enjoy passing along their passion for reading.”
We profiled this particular group of volunteers because they are a shining example of how UWWC, along with a team of dedicated volunteers, can empower caring communities to enact change. This volunteer group is just one of many that contribute their time, talents and passion here in Western CT on behalf of UWWC. We cannot thank all of our volunteers enough for all that you do for our neighbors in need.
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