READ.LEARN.SUCCEED.

United Way of Northeast Louisiana READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. offers opportunities for volunteers interested in helping area 2nd and 3rd graders improve their reading skills.

FACT: Studies 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.

Launched in partner schools during the 2012-13 school year, READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. volunteer community education 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.

READ.LEARN.SUCCEED. pairs trained community volunteers with 2nd grade students (3rd grade students at Jefferson only) at 20 partner schools across our region to become one-on-one Volunteer Readers or Pen-Friends. These volunteers and their assigned students practice and sharpen reading and writing skills monthly from October through March.

These amazing volunteers give of their time and energy to help Northeast Louisiana children have a better quality of life, both now and into the future.

Volunteer for 2024-25 READ.LEARN.SUCCEED.

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Currently, the only available opportunity is becoming a Pen Friend for students in Morehouse Parish. However, please note that we cannot guarantee placement in this parish. If you're still interested, please fill out the form, and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon!

Contact Information
Northeast Louisiana Mailing Address:
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Training

School District Volunteer Policy and Procedures

School boards recognize that volunteers can make many valuable contributions to the schools in their districts. Therefore, all Boards welcome volunteers and endorse Volunteer Programs in the district, subject to suitable regulations and safeguards, to be promulgated by the Superintendent or staff, in cooperation with the schools.

Appropriate effort shall be made to incorporate the use of school volunteers into all schools as well as any or all other programs or activities of the school district.

The Boards' Volunteer Programs shall meet certain requirements, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Every volunteer permitted to assist personnel in any school related program shall sign a volunteer behavior agreement stating that he/she understands and will abide by all policies, regulations, and procedures of the School Board.
  2. The agreement shall include a statement that the volunteer shall not abuse any child or student by physical or emotional means or commit any criminal act involving a minor student.
  3. Every volunteer shall agree to undergo, and shall undergo, an extensive criminal background check as required by statute.
  4. Every volunteer shall agree not to use alcohol or illegal drugs or be under the influence of alcohol or any drug while volunteering in any school related program.

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 15:587.1, 17:15, 17:81

My signature below certifies that I have read, understand, and agree to strictly abide by the Volunteer Policy and Procedures of the respected school districts as set forth. My signature also certifies that I have provided the United Way of Northeast Louisiana with accurate information. I understand that failure to provide accurate information and failure to adhere to School District Volunteer Policy and Procedures may result in my application being denied and any and all volunteer privileges immediately revoked.

Media Release

I grant permission to United Way of Northeast Louisiana, hereinafter known as the “Media,” to use my image (photographs and/or video) for use in Media publications including:

  • Social media
  • Videos
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  • General Publications
  • Website and/or Affiliates
  • Printed materials

I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photographs or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the image. Please sign below based on the applicable circumstance below:

I am 18 years of age or older and I am competent to contract in my own name. I have read this release before signing below, and I fully understand the contents, meaning and impact of this release. I understand that I am free to address any specific questions regarding this release by submitting those questions in writing prior to signing, and I agree that my failure to do so will be interpreted as a free and knowledgeable acceptance of the terms of this release.