Literacy Project
The literacy project focuses on improving reading and comprehension skills for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. The literacy project pairs volunteers with students who are not reading at grade level to practice reading skills and gain confidence.
Literacy programs are a WIN-WIN-WIN:
Win for Students: Academic skill building and mentoring
Win for Schools: Valuable support for teachers and principals
Win for Adults: Meaningful opportunity to give back to the community
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs offer free tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program on the national level has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
- people who generally make $64,000 or less,
- seniors, persons with disabilities, taxpayers eligible for Earned Income Tax Assistance.
United Way partners with the IRS and Iowa Center for Economic Success to offer this program to the community. United Way coordinates volunteers who certify as tax preparers through the IRS training program. If want to help working families and seniors and like doing your taxes, come join our dynamic volunteer team.
Back to School Festival – Backpack Giveaway Program
In partnership with Trinity United Methodist Church and the Salvation Army, area churches, nonprofits and businesses come together to give away free backpacks with school supplies. UWGRR plays a lead role in planning, organizing, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and collection of supplies.
The annual event is free and open to the public regardless of income or school district. Backpacks with selected school supplies are distributed for students pre-kindergarten through high school on a first come first serve basis. Students and families have the opportunity to visit with area agencies and organizations as well as enjoy games, food, and ice cream floats.
