Wednesday, February 27, 2008
UAW co-sponsors United Way's Operation ABC to prepare children for long-term success
The UAW is proud to be part of a broad-based United Way initiative designed to improve the reading levels of first and second graders in metropolitan Detroit.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan launched Operation ABC earlier this year at a news conference at Solidarity House, the UAW's headquarters. The agency hopes to recruit 2,000 volunteers from non-profit groups, corporations and other segments of the community and mobilize them in classrooms across the region as tutors.
The goal is to have every child in southeastern Michigan reading at grade level by the time they reach the third grade. Some 7,000 third graders throughout Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties are not reading at grade level.
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"It's going to harness the power of our community volunteers to help students in those schools improve their reading levels at an early age," UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said. "When you look at the smiles on these young folks' faces, it makes you realize this is our future right here.
"We're so proud that many of our UAW members -- active and retired -- have already signed up for this effort," Gettelfinger added. Michael J. Brennan, United Way's president and CEO, attended the news conference.
"Part of our mission is to mobilize the caring power of the region to affect positive, lasting change," Brennan said. "Our research shows that the third grade is the first benchmark for a successful education. If a child fails to read at the recommended reading level by third grade, a potential domino effect begins, diminishing that child's chances of completing high school."
Potential volunteers can get more information by dialing 211 in metropolitan Detroit. Organizations that would like to sponsor a school -- committing at least 10 people to serve as volunteer tutors -- should contact Angela Walker at (313) 226-9450 for more information.