Frequently Asked Questions
Please email Mark Cancia, Director of School & Community Engagement, at mcancia@unitedway.tn.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The READ Team volunteer coaches commit to spending one hour per week helping second graders in Jackson-Madison County Schools improve their sight word recognition from September to April. By using books, flashcards, board games, and other fun techniques, volunteer coaches help students memorize the most common words students will encounter in texts.
The READ Team volunteers are required to attend a one-hour training session either in August or September and dedicate one hour per week throughout the school year (September to April, except during school breaks and holidays).
No! While many of our volunteers are retired teachers, anyone aged 18 and older can volunteer with The READ Team. All volunteers will be trained to use both lists and books to help kids improve their sight word recognition. Click here to get started!
Sight words, also known as high-frequency words, constitute more than 70% of the words used in children's books and everyday writing. Recognizing these words on sight, instead of sounding them out, can help early readers make faster progress.
If you can't commit to the entire school year, consider becoming a substitute coach! Substitutes will be called when our full-time volunteers are unavailable. Simply select "Substitute Only" under the "Volunteer Availability" section when completing The READ Team volunteer application!
You can also volunteer for the WOW Wagon! WOW Wagon volunteers help sort and shelve donated books, assist children with book selection, and can even drive the WOW Wagon to community events! Click here to complete the WOW Wagon volunteer application.
If you are interested in hosting the WOW Wagon at your school or community event, please click here to complete a request form. Commitments are dependent upon book inventory and the availability of staff and volunteers.
*Please note that the WOW Wagon can only attend events in the 15 counties served by United Way of West Tennessee: Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Madison, McNairy, and Weakley.
You can drop off new or gently used books at the United Way of West Tennessee Monday - Friday between 8 am and 4:30 pm. Thank you for your donation!
United Way of West Tennessee
470 North Parkway, Suite B
Jackson, TN 38301
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