United Way of Northeast Louisiana has opened volunteer recruitment for the 2025–2026 READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. (RLS) initiative, inviting community members to support local 2nd–3rd grade students as Volunteer Readers or Pen Friends. Opportunities are available during the school day across Jackson Parish, Lincoln Parish, Monroe City, Morehouse Parish, Ouachita Parish, and Union Parish school districts, with brief, consistent time commitments depending on the individual school.
 
Launched in partner schools during the 2012-13 school year, the RLS volunteer initiative was designed to help place area students on a good path toward school success by improving their reading skills, ultimately increasing their chances of graduating high school.
 
Studies from the Annie E. Casey Foundation show that students who can’t read on grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school.
 
RLS pairs volunteers with individual students as one-on-one readers and/or pen friends to spark a love of reading, boost comprehension, and nurture writing and relationship-building. Participating schools include sites in Jackson Parish Schools, Lincoln Parish Schools, Monroe City Schools, Morehouse Parish Schools, Ouachita Parish Schools, and Union Parish Schools. Volunteer scheduling options vary by individual campus.
 
Now serving 21 partner schools across the region, RLS provided direct support to 629 local students last year.
 
“When a caring adult shows up — whether to read for 30 minutes or write an encouraging letter — it changes how a child sees themselves and what’s possible,” said Michelle Saucer, Senior Community Impact Director at United Way of Northeast Louisiana. “READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. is about building confidence, joy, and momentum in literacy — one story, one student, one note at a time.”
 
How to Get Involved

• Sign up & learn more: unitedwaynela.org/readlearnsucceed
• Commitment: Once a month, in-person reading times as set by the individual school (training provided; no teaching experience required) and/or one written letter per month (guidelines specified during volunteer onboarding)
• Roles:
  • Volunteer Reader — read individually with assigned student once a month (October-March)
  • Pen Friend — exchange letters with assigned student once a month (October-March)

 
United Way NELA encourages both new and returning volunteers to step forward to support hundreds of local students enrolled this year.
  About United Way of Northeast Louisiana
United Way of Northeast Louisiana mobilizes the caring power of communities across 12 parishes to improve lives, focusing on education, financial stability, and health. Through initiatives like READ.LEARN.SUCCEED., United Way NELA brings together partners and volunteers to help people and improve community. Learn more at unitedwaynela.org.