United Way's Weekly INBrief

Your Impact In Action

Read Across America?is an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and aims to celebrate diverse books and voices throughout the year. You may think of March 2, Read Across America Day, as a day to celebrate Dr. Seuss but, it's?so much more?for students in Erie County thanks to United Way community schools.

Pictured above, Retina Mitchell?and?DaVona Pacley?from Erie Arts & Culture served as guest readers at McKinley Elementary and Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary, both United Way community schools.

DaVona and Retina read?"Hey Wall, the Story of Art and Community"?by Susan Verde to raise awareness of the?Purposeful Placemaking?initiative and stimulate excitement amongst students for all the new murals we have seen created in Erie, and the murals that are slated for 2023.

Retina shared, "This reading initiative was AMAZING! What a wonderful opportunity for kids to become avid readers and informed citizens.?Looking forward to next year!"

DaVona commented, "I thoroughly enjoyed our time together reading and talking with the kiddos! They were the sweetest little human beings. We look forward to future opportunities to connect with youth through United Way's community schools initiative."

Patrick Fisher, EAC executive director shared, "Erie Arts & Culture is always happy to collaborate with United Way. We were honored to be invited to participate in 2023's Read Across America. The book we selected, "Hey, Wall" is particularly relevant given our larger collaboration with United Way, Purposeful Placemaking. We felt this book would be great to stimulate conversations with students about the murals they see being created along the identified safer walking routes. I'm thankful Retina and DaVona both represented our organization as part of this year's efforts."

“Diverse stories provide kids with different perspectives and help them see how others think and feel. Put reading to kids on your calendar all year round.?Take NEA's Read Across America Diverse Books Challenge?and help kids of all ages discover their own voices as they learn from the stories of others.”?- Marley Dias, Read Across America Ambassador