Learn to Read by Grade Three: Read to Learn Grade Three and Beyond

After telling me she liked broccoli, could make pancakes, and loved to draw, Toya, age 5, leaned over and whispered in my ear, "You know what I am really good at?"

I said, "no, tell me."

"Reading. I'm really good at reading."

I had just started my day long journey after lighting the United Way Torch at 6:40 am to launch the 58th Torch Drive Campaign.

To get to Toya, I left Heart Plaza and headed up I-75 to begin traveling over a 100 miles in our region: from the corner of Ferry and Chene on the east side of Detroit where Neighborhood Service Organization is located, to Leaps and Bounds on Packard Ave off of Van Dyke in Warren, to Oakland Family Services at the end of Orchard Lake Rd. in downtown Pontiac, to the Rouge River Library/Guidance Center downriver.

I saw a wide spectrum of socio-economic, racial diversity and physical surroundings. But one thread I saw in common: a fierce focus on teaching our youngest citizens to read.

There were professionals, parents and volunteers working at these resource centers (where your United Way dollars are at work) to ensure that our children are acquiring one of life's most important skills: reading.

Why?

Research has taught us over and over that 80% of the brain develops by age three. The most powerful indicator of academic success is being able to read at grade level by grade three. Simply, children LEARN to READ by grade three; they READ to LEARN grade three and beyond.

We are asking every resident in the tri-county area to join in. Imagine what we can do if we work together. When we combine financial resource, with proven paths of success, with trained professionals, and committed volunteers, neigborhoods make progress. Families make progress. Children make progress. Just like Toya.

To get involved, just click on www.onewaytohelp.org.

Thanks for reading....pass it on.