By Juli Knutson
Discovering the magic of reading is life changing.
That is just what’s happening in the ReadUP program, which Boone Power’s Operation Round Up program recently assisted.
This past summer, Boone County Mentoring Partnership (BCMP) received a grant for the ReadUP program through Operation Round Up, an initiative Boone Power started in 2006 to provide funds for nonprofit organizations. The program is funded by members who allow their monthly electric bill payments to be rounded up to the next highest dollar.
ReadUP assists local third graders who need extra support with reading and comprehension. Each week, caring adult volunteers read with two students for 30 minutes to improve their skills to meet and maintain grade-level standards. Currently, volunteers log more than 700 hours of reading with students per semester!
Third grade is a pivotal year, when students move from learning to read to reading to learn. Success at this stage is often a strong indicator of future academic achievement. This important program is a collaboration between BCMP and United Way of Central Indiana to empower young learners.
“Our intent for the grant was to get more books in kids’ hands,” said BCMP Executive Director Matt Wilson. “We wanted to build our ReadUP library with the more popular books and to occasionally give kids books of their own to take home. We want to create more choices so the kids will really enjoy reading. This grant funded about 200 additional books.”
In addition to ReadUP, Boone County Mentoring Partnership works to unlock potential, helping kids of all ages with one-on-one mentoring, a resource hub, and graduation coaching. The goal is to provide the tools they need to graduate from high school and launch into a promising future.
Wilson is thankful for the Operation Round Up grant, and in time, hopes to expand the ReadUP program beyond the three Lebanon elementary schools currently served.
This will require more volunteers and resources. Visit boonecountymentoring.org to learn how you can get involved.
“It’s really fun,” said Kiera Hall, ReadUp program manager. “The students and volunteers build a mentoring relationship — so it’s not just reading together. The volunteers are asking about their day. They’re helping them through any challenges that they’re going through, so that real, intergenerational relationship is really important.”
Boone Power members continuously impact the community through their participation in Operation Round Up, which awards grants to nonprofits each quarter.
“During this season of thanksgiving, Boone Power would like to express sincere appreciation for our members who contribute to Operation Round Up,” said Mandy Saucerman, Boone Power director of communications. “Your support plays an essential role in empowering our neighbors and making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.”
Juli Knutson is a freelance writer in Central Indiana.
