Pearson celebrates literacy during National Volunteer Week

Pearson is known as the “world’s learning company,” and as such, literacy education is core to their work. The company regularly finds ways to engage with local and global nonprofits to break the cycle of illiteracy and empower individuals through the ability to read and write. Even their employees are encouraged to get involved in local efforts through volunteering.

More than 1,000 Pearson employees across North America joined together to give back to local communities during National Volunteer Week: Including, more than 100 who volunteered with Reading Partners in local classrooms.  

One Pearson volunteer was impressed to see kids’ enthusiasm for the program, commenting,

The Individualized attention really helps. The kids really love being here.

And the kids agree. Zachary Ward, program manager in Colorado, asked a student, “Did you like working with the group today?” To which the student responded, “Yes! They all wore blue and my tutor helped me learn more letters!”

The efforts of Pearson employees and volunteers nationwide, to provide one-on-one tutoring to students behind grade level in reading, is desperately needed. Currently, four out of five fourth-graders from low-income families in the US are not reading at grade level. For this group of students, they are six times less likely to graduate from high school on time. Together, we can break this cycle.

Pearson’s Project Literacy and Reading Partners have teamed up to help elementary students from low-income families learn to read and write.

In continuation of the National Volunteer Week celebrations, Pearson, Reading Partners, and Project Literacy launched a book drive and volunteer campaign focused on sharing the love of literacy.

No matter where you are, here are a few ways you can help spread a love of literacy:

1. Send an e-card and share your love of reading with someone you love
2. Give books and donate to our book drive
3. Volunteer to tutor a student