United Way focusing on literacy

One of the main focuses of the United Way this year is reading proficiency. Margaret Ganyo, executive director of the Southeastern Idaho United Way, spoke to the Pocatello/Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce Friday about the issue.

She said if a child is not reading proficiently by third grade they’re four times more likely to drop out in high school. She said that’s why they’ve put together a group to address the issue locally, and she said they’re hoping to get feedback from the community about what they feel is best to do.

“We have lots of strategies in mind,” Ganyo said. “We’re in the midst of identifying which efforts will have the biggest payoff for us.”

She said the United Way is also launching a children’s rural health initiative. They plan on providing dental sealants to about 1,200 kids in the Shelley and Soda Springs school districts. She said that’s exciting because sealants are about 70 percent effective against tooth problems.

Ganyo said there are a lot of resources and information about their projects online., and they’re always looking for volunteers Find information about Attendance Awareness Month, which is part of the literacy concerns the United Way is addressing, by following this link: bit.ly/1o8ADpk.

For general information about the United Way in Southeastern Idaho, click here: unitedwaysei.org.