Have you ever been nervous to read in front of others?

For Sam, a quiet third-grader, that fear was real.

When he first attended a literacy summer camp powered by United Way grant dollars, Sam struggled with reading. He was anxious about reading aloud and had trouble keeping up with his grade level. But, this summer he got an opportunity of a lifetime.

Sam found a caring, high energy environment where learning felt fun. He was surrounded by mentors who encouraged him and classmates who shared his excitement for reading. Each day brought new adventures through stories. Action-filled books quickly became his favorites.

Through daily reading time, group discussions, and creative activities, Sam begam to thrive. His confidence grew and by the end of the program he had read more than 10 books! This was a great turnaround after avoiding reading earlier that summer.

His mom said her proudest moment was when he stood in front of the room full of families and friends and read aloud. That day, he discovered his voice.

Now, Sam is in fourth grad and reading at grade level. His confidence and love of reading both emerged that summer.

Your support made this possible. When you give to United Way you're not just helping a child learn to read, you are helping them believe they can achieve anything.

Together, we are creating brighter futures.