Close to Home: Improving a child’s life in 30 minutes

“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”

- Nelson Mandela

Imagine what the world would look like if all children were given the same start in life. I picture all children having early access to books and all children having someone to read and learn with. I see children growing up confident and capable. Imagine the difference.

It saddens me to know that just 43 percent of third-graders in Sonoma County read proficiently. Furthermore, more than 75 percent of English Language Learners read below proficiency.

Sonoma County has been my home for five years now, and of all of the places I have lived, I feel the most pride for this beautiful place I call home. The community members and their generous hearts constantly inspire me.

That is why I am proud to work at United Way of the Wine Country. Through United Way’s Schools of Hope initiative, we are leading the effort to increase the number of children reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

Here at United Way, we believe education is the cornerstone for community success. Local children need nurturing, support and opportunities to succeed in school and life in order to reach their full potential. Children who receive a quality education are more likely to graduate from high school and be better prepared for the workforce.

Through Schools of Hope, we enlist the help of more than 600 community volunteers to read one-on-one with a child for 30 minutes a week. Even still, we aren’t able to serve every child who could use our help. Thirty minutes is a small commitment, but to a child, 30 minutes of undivided attention from an adult is a powerful influence.

Last school year, I tutored at Thomas Page Academy in Cotati. The young girl I was paired with is a force to be reckoned with. I will be forever grateful for my experience with her. I got to see her go from stumbling over basic words at the beginning of first grade to reading full books fluently by the end of the school year. I don’t have children of my own, and I have to say it was one of the most special experiences in my life.

When I look at a child, I see something comforting. I believe children are honest and insightful. I see the potential for a better world - a world with less hate and more beauty. Those little minds are absorbing everything around them. Their experiences now will shape who they become.

Schools of Hope is in elementary schools from Ukiah to Lower Lake, Cloverdale to Petaluma, Guerneville to the Sonoma Valley. We have added more schools to our roster and need your help more than ever. If you would like to join us or learn more about Schools of Hope, go to unitedwaywinecountry.org.

Michelle Fielder is a community benefits coordinator with United Way of the Wine Country in Santa Rosa.