SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Reading is one of the most important skills kids need to succeed in both school and in life.
A program that helps students who are struggling is asking for your help.
Irving Elementary fourth grader, Arturo reads out loud to Mike Klassen.
He's Arturo's mentor and meets with him once a week for about a half hour.
"We've talked about his home life. We've talked about my home life. We talk about our pets. We do occasionally read. Actually, we read about four out of every five times we are together, we read," Mike Klassen, a mentor with Every Classroom Counts said.
Arturo has been working with Klassen since first grade.
"Arturo reads to me. If he gets stuck on a word or something like that then I'll help him through it and then we talk about what he just read. I know his teachers have told me that his grades have come up and his reading skills have really increased," Klassen said.
Since 2008, kids like Arturo have been getting help through Every Classroom Counts. It's a collaboration between the United Way of Siouxland's, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland and the Sioux City Community School District. It's in seven elementary schools.
"One of the reasons we are so strongly supportive of this program is because we know if we can impact a kid's reading level in those first four years of school that will have a profound impact on graduation rates," Tim Stiles, the President of United Way of Siouxland said.
These organizations are now asking for your help.
"I would like to put a plea out there to the community. We definitely need more mentors and volunteers. We know there are people in the community that just need to be asked to join this effort," Jill Colling, the President/CEO at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland said.
"United Way's new motto is Live United. By Living United you give, advocate and volunteer. We launched the campaign last week and there is the giving, now here is your chance to advocate and volunteer," Stiles said.
Because a small donation of time can make a lifetime of difference.
To become a mentor or volunteer, please call the number on your screen 712-239-9890 or click here for more information.
