United Reads

United Reads supports childhood literacy through partnerships with neighboring elementary schools and local health care centers located throughout the greater Washington D.C. area . Through United Reads, United encourages area youth to fall in love with reading while also promoting literacy amongst children and their families.

United Reads Schools

In 2002, United for D.C. established the first United Reads School at Payne Elementary School in Ward 6 of Washington, D.C., the closest elementary school to RFK Stadium. Since the 2007-2008 school year United Reads is in six total schools, providing the students at these schools with the opportunity to create their own personal libraries through the distribution of free children's books throughout the school year.

In addition to distributing brand new children's books three times per school year, United for D.C. also operates a reading challenge at these schools and encourages reading comprehension via guest readings performed by D.C. United players, coaches and senior management, who speak on the importance of, and fun, of reading on a daily basis. With over 1,500 students combined at the six schools, United Reads will donate over 10,000 books throughout the school year.

• Payne Elementary School, Ward 6 (since 2002)
• Ketcham Elementary School, Ward 8 (Since 2007)
• Savoy Elementary School, Ward 8 (Since 2007)
• Bruce-Monroe Elementary School, Ward 1 (Since 2009)
• Simon Elementary School, Ward 8 (Since 2009)
• Tubman Elementary School, Ward 1 (Since 2009)

United Reads 2009 Fall Schedule

United Reads Reading Corners

United Reads also works with Reach Out and Read DC to spruce up the waiting rooms at Children's Health Centers through the District. To date, two United Reads Reading Corners have been launched in Ward 8 and one in Ward 1, providing new children's books and other materials as part of a "prescription" to parents and their children, that being to read. United for D.C. knows the importance of early reading programs for ensuring the good development of the community's youth.

• Children's Health Center/Martin Luther King, Ward 8 (summer 2005)
• Children's Health Center/Good Hope Road, Ward 8 (spring 2006)
• Unity Heath Care Foundation - Upper Cardozo, Ward 1 (Fall 2008)

United Reads Partners

United Reads would not be possible without the support of corporations and other literacy-driven organizations. United for D.C. would like to thank followings organizations for their contributions to United Reads: