Last Wednesday was the YMCA’s 2nd annual Reading Day. Volunteers from the community came to support the Y’s effort to target reading loss by taking turns reading to the kids. All of the volunteers had two things in common. They understood the importance of reading and they love children.  

“I’ve always enjoyed participating in reading day, said Jason Floyd councilmember of 2nd district for the City of Hinesville. “I think that reading is super important for young people.” When asked if this was his first time reading to children he said, “I’ve done the school system reading day.  I was out of town last year for the YMCA reading day, but I was able to do it this year so I was excited.”

The Y doesn’t just highlight the importance of summer reading once a year but every day. During the YMCA’s summer camp the children have 30 minutes of reading time each day. The campers are either read to by their camp counselors or they read individually. When asked if the YMCA receives positive feedback after summer time Michael Whitten, the branch director, said “We have a great relationship with our school system. As we were working with the principals we did hear back that because of our reading that their test scores seem to be improving because of our programs.”

The Y also encourages reading during the rest of the year. In their after school programs they also have reading time and other activities to help open up students’ minds.