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United Way Unveils Operation ABC,Seeks 2,000 Volunteers to Support Early Education
Proactive, regional program will prepare children for long-term success United Way of Southeastern Michigan has launched of a new, proactive early education initiative – Operation ABC. Created by United Way, Operation ABC is a unique initiative that brings together school districts, nonprofits, corporations, and volunteers to improve the reading levels of first and second graders in Metro Detroit. As a component of United Ways’ Agenda for Change, Operation ABC is focused on Educational Preparedness, with a specific goal to assure that every child in southeastern Michigan is reading at grade level by the time they enter the third grade. In order to execute the community-based initiative, United Way will recruit and train more than 2,000 volunteers and mobilize them in classrooms across the region as reading tutors. Each volunteer will be required to commit between one and five hours of time a week beginning in 2008.
United Way president and CEO Michael J. Brennan has issued a formal call to action for volunteers throughout the southeast Michigan region.
“Part of our mission is to mobilize the caring power of the region to affect positive, lasting change,” said Brennan. “Additionally, as a member of One D, we took on the mantel of Educational Preparedness as a primary focus. Operation ABC is an example of that commitment in action. We are addressing an immediate need in our community by directly aligning resources – 2,000 volunteers, with a vital need-- tutoring first and second graders in select schools throughout the tri-county region.”
Brennan went on to explain the vital need for Operation ABC: “Our research shows that the third grade is the first benchmark for a successful education. If a child fails to read at the recommended reading level by the third grade, a potential domino effect begins, diminishing that child’s chances of completing high school. Now more than ever, the success of the region in the 21st century will require a renewed commitment to a culture of achievement in our schools and communities. Unless more youth graduate from school prepared to succeed, southeast Michigan will be unable to compete in the global economy. Early education is the key.”
Nationally, 46% of children come to school unprepared to succeed. Within southeast Michigan, the gap in early education is reflected in 2006 MEAP results. While 2006 MEAP Reading Test results showed improvements over those of 2005, nearly 7,000 third graders throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties are not reading at grade level.
Though statistics illustrate the gaps in early education in southeastern Michigan, United Way is working to bridge the gap to high-quality early care and educational opportunities that greatly increase readiness through programs such as Operation ABC. Additional United Way early education programs already in progress include Success by Six™ and the Virgil H. Carr School Attendance Initiative.
Individuals who are interested in becoming an Operation ABC Volunteer should call 2-1-1. Organizations may get involved by adopting a school (committing at least 10 people to serve as volunteer tutors). Contact Angela Walker at 313-226-9450 for more information.
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