Early Education Success
LITERACY IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.
Knowing how to read is something most of us take for granted. But the truth is, many children in Delaware and Salem County (NJ) don’t read well. And as they get older, this can cause them to disconnect from learning altogether. At UWDE, our goal is to ensure every child reads on grade level by the end of 3rd grade. That way all students have opportunities to succeed, no matter who they are or where they live.
75% of Wilmington's Third Graders Read Below Grade-Level
In 2019, the Delaware Department of Education reported that state test scores showed 75% of Wilmington’s 3rd graders were not reading on grade level.
Struggling Readers Are Four Times More Likely to Drop Out of School
Students who are not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. If they are living in poverty, they are 13 times more likely to drop out.
Lower Earning Potential. More Trouble With the Law.
Compared to graduates, teens who don’t graduate from high school earn on average $500,000 less over their lifetime than those that stay in school. They are also more likely to get into trouble with the law.
United for Literacy
IN DELAWARE & SALEM COUNTY (NJ)
Education, particularly education before age 5, is critical to our long-term success. Alongside our partners, United Way of Delaware works to give young readers in Delaware and Salem County (NJ) resources so they get the best start possible. Every child deserves that chance. Every child deserves to love reading. Join us as we fight for our children’s future.
GET DELAWARE READING
The combined efforts of community organizations, government agencies, and businesses to ensure more children in Delaware's low-income neighborhoods do well in school and graduate prepared for future success.
MY VERY OWN LIBRARY
Made possible by partnerships between Scholastic®, DuPont, Global Shapers, and the University of Chicago, MVOL provides free, brand-new books to students so they can build a personal home library. In the 2022-23 school year, MVOL provided 87,000 books to Delaware students.
Reading Angels
Foster a love for reading through one-on-one virtual reading sessions with our children. All sessions are recorded and shared digitally so they can be watched anytime, anywhere.
Help Me Grow
A child's early years are vital. That's why we created the Help Me Grow program to assist families in promoting healthy child development during their early years.
MEET
THE TEAM
Our team is on a mission to help children, teens, and adults develop a life-long love for reading. If you have questions or would like to learn how you can help, please contact us today.Â
Erin Brenner
Senior Director, Student Success
Ebony Brown
Senior Director, Student Success
Amber Battle-Winston, Ed.D.
Senior Director, Student Success
Regina Sidney-Brown
Director, Delaware Afterschool Network
Ken Livingston
Director, Get Delaware Reading
Angie Cright
Coordinator, Community Outreach
Meet the team
Erin Brenner
Senior Director, Student Success
Ebony Brown
Senior Director, Student Success
Amber Battle-Winston
Senior Director, Student Success
Regina Sidney-Brown
Director, Delaware Afterschool Network
Ken Livingston
Director, Get Delaware Reading
Angie Cright
Coordinator, Community Outreach
HELP OUR STUDENTS BECOME EXCELLENT READERS.
We need you.
GIVE, ADVOCATE, or VOLUNTEER today to do your part.
EN 
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