Women United, an Affinity Group of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Seeks Dedicated Volunteers

“Pre-K students light up with enthusiasm as they explore the joy of books and the adventures each story brings.”


“Volunteer Sharon Hutchison, one of our dedicated Reading Buddies, enjoys a reading session with her student—helping build confidence and a love for books.”

Salisbury, MD – September 25, 2025 – Women United, an affinity group of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, is excited to announce an urgent call for volunteers to support our upcoming season of Read to Succeed and Read With Me. The Read To Succeed initiative aims to help children read at grade level by the end of third grade, as this is when students must move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” The Read With Me program focuses on reading aloud to preschool children to help them develop a love of reading while improving early literacy.

Join Us in Making a Difference for Our Community’s Children!

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed individuals, of all genders, who are passionate about our children’s future success! Volunteers will work as a reading mentor with children during their school day in our local schools at a mutually agreed upon location and time. Weekly sessions are 30-60 minutes. The programs start mid-October and run through mid-May, for approximately 26 weeks total. All volunteers will be trained and must pass the background check provided by the county school system in which they volunteer.

“Community involvement is crucial to the expansion of this program. The need is great as we have seen from the current reading and assessment trends across the Lower Shore, and this is a fun and easy way to help our local children thrive,” said Cathie Thomas, Women United Committee member. “Volunteers are the backbone of our efforts. We, and our student readers, are grateful for their support.”

Project Details:

• Date: October 2025 thru May 2026
• Time: Between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm
• Location: Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester & Somerset Counties
• How to Apply: Interested individuals can get more information on each program or express interest in volunteering by visiting: https://bit.ly/WomenUnitedVolunteers , calling: 410-742-5143 or emailing: RWM@uwles.org (Read With Me) or R2S@uwles.org (Read to Succeed).

About United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore:
United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES), celebrating 81 years of local service, harnesses the power of our community to advance health, education, and financial stability for all neighbors in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. UWLES and their community partners help empower Lower Shore residents by addressing barriers for better health, supporting educational success for learners of all ages, and strengthening economic security for local households. UWLES provides direct services, collaborates with stakeholders, and supports dozens of local nonprofits to strengthen the entire community, impacting 1 in every 3 neighbors annually. Through the Get Connected Volunteer Center, UWLES connects over 200 nonprofits with community members who want to get involved. For more information on United Way or to help make a difference visit: www.uwles.org, www.ShoreGetConnected.org, Facebook@uwles, Instagram@unitedwayles, or LinkedIN@uwles.