Youth Opportunity
Open your books; March is National Reading Month! Now is the time to encourage a love of reading in youth across our region.
Did you know that Michigan ranked 44th in the nation for fourth-grade reading in 2024? It is our responsibility as a community to ensure our students have the tools they need to thrive – and that includes a strong foundation of literacy.
Join Read United, United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s initiative to get active in literacy this month. Parents, volunteers, educators, employers and community partners all have the opportunity to improve future outcomes by promoting reading today.
“Read United 2026 brings Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties together to reignite a love of reading through daily literacy-based activities, volunteer opportunities and book drives,” said Tiffany Mousel, manager of Engagement Initiatives at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “By strengthening literacy, we strengthen confidence, connection and opportunity across every community we serve.”
Below are five ways you can make a meaningful impact this month.
1. Build Literacy Kits
On March 18, volunteers are needed to build 1,500 literacy kits that will be delivered to local schools and education partners. Kits will include the book, “The Caring Me I Want To Be” by Mary DiPalermo, along with related materials, crafts, games, stickers and United Way resources.
2. Volunteer at a Free Book Fair
Have you ever experienced the thrill of a Scholastic Book Fair? Volunteer to see the magic firsthand at the My Home Library Book Fair, where we partner with Scholastic to gift each student 5 books of their choice.
On March 24, volunteers are needed at Mann Learning Community in Detroit to help students select books, check out and keep books organized.
3. Read to a Classroom
Help us instill a love of books in local students by reading aloud to a classroom. United Way’s Engagement team can coordinate a day, time and location that works best for you.
To get started, complete our interest form. Volunteers must also complete a background check form and submit their interest by March 20, 2026.
4. Restock Little Free Libraries
Buy a book for one of the 28 Little Free Libraries in our region. These accessible neighborhood libraries are stocked with books that families and children can easily take home and enjoy.
5. Host a Book Drive
United Way is seeking corporate partners and groups to host book drives for new books that will be distributed to the community. United Way’s Engagement team will provide a list of recommended books by genre, topics and reading levels. Spanish language and bilingual books are of particularly high need.
Want to contribute in another way? Donate today!
