Litle Readers. Big Futures.
Big adventures begin with little moments of reading, talking, singing and playing.
You don't need to be a teacher or have a shelf full of books to help a child become a reader. Every silly rhyme, bedtime story, grocery store conversation and game of pretend helps build the skills children need to learn, grow and succeed.
At United Way Southwest Louisiana, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading—and every caregiver deserves the tools to help make that happen.
What you'll find on this page
- A Message from Our President & CEO: Denise Durel
- Why reading matters: How early literacy shapes a child's future.
- Literacy in Louisiana: What the numbers tell us about the importance of helping children read.
- Our commitment: How United Way Southwest Louisiana supports young learners.
- Fun activities for every age: Easy, affordable ways to make reading and learning part of everyday life.
- Everyday learning opportunities: Turn car rides, bath time, cooking and errands into literacy adventures.
- Free resources: Printable activities, reading ideas and helpful tools for families.
- Ways to get involved: Volunteer, donate and help bring literacy opportunities to more children.
A Message from Our President & CEO
Every child deserves the chance to experience the excitement of opening a book and discovering something new. At United Way Southwest Louisiana, literacy has long been an important part of our work because we know that learning to read is one of the most important building blocks for a child's future.
But literacy doesn't begin in a classroom. It begins at home, in the car, at the grocery store and in the everyday moments children share with the people who care about them.
Our goal is to help parents, grandparents and caregivers understand that they have the power to make a difference. You don't need special training, expensive materials or hours of free time. Just a few minutes of reading, talking, singing or playing together can help build a child's confidence and love of learning.
We hope this page gives you new ideas, helpful resources and a little inspiration to make literacy a fun part of every day. Because when we help a child learn to read, we're helping open doors to a lifetime of opportunities.
Denise Durel
President & CEO
United Way Southwest Louisiana
Why Early Literacy Matters
Reading Today. Opportunities Tomorrow.
Learning to read is about much more than recognizing letters and sounding out words. Strong literacy skills help children understand the world around them, communicate their feelings, succeed in school and build self-confidence.
By the end of third grade, children are making an important transition: from learning to read to increasingly reading to learn. Children who struggle with reading may find it harder to understand lessons in other subjects, especially science, math and social studies.
Early reading difficulties do not determine a child's future, but they are an important reason to offer support as soon as possible.
The numbers tell an important story
32%
Louisiana 4th Graders
Reached NAEP Proficient or Above in Reading in 2024.
4x
Greater Risk
An influential national study found children not reading proficiently by the end of the third grade were about four times likely not to graduate high school on time.
Birth
When literacy begins
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends shared reading beginning in infancy to support language and early relationships.
NAEP Proficient is a national achievement benchmark, not the same measure as reading at grade level. The graduation-risk figure comes from historical research and describes an association, not an inevitable outcome. NAEP
There is good news, too!
Louisiana has made meaningful progress. On the 2024 Nation's Report Card, the state ranked 16th nationally in 4th grade reading performance, a substantial improvement in literacy and support. LDOE
Every child can benefit from encouragement, opportunities to practice and adults who make learning enjoyable.
Building a Stronger Southwest Louisiana, One Reader at a Time.
United Way Southwest Louisiana believes that helping children build strong literacy skills is an investment in our entire community. Through our YOUTH OPPORTUNITY impact area, we work to give children the resources and experiences they need to succeed.
Literacy Kits
Our Literacy Kits help make reading and learning more engaging by putting educational activities and materials into children's hands. More than 13,000 Literacy Kits have been assembled and distributed in Southwest Louisiana.
WriteStart Project
WriteStart Project removes barriers to learning through school supplies, classroom resources, school fees and support for our educators.
Success by 6
Our Success by 6 Initiative increases access to quality early learning education for the children of ALICE families. It offers one year of quality early learning while parents gain access to better paying jobs where they can build a firm foundation.
Community Partner Grants
Supporting local nonprofit organizations and educational opportunities that help children develop skills, confidence and a love of learning. See our current partner agencies here.
Born Learning STEAM Trails
Our Born Learning STEAM Trails transform outdoor spaces like parks, trails and schoolyards into exciting, hands-on learning environments. Bring a trail to your community.
Summer Impact Grant
Our Summer Impact Grant is an opportunity for us to expand and deepen the services for ALICE families in the Southwest Louisiana region. Grant funds are used to offset tuition to summer camps in areas such as art, dance, athletics, leadership, literacy and STEM.
Volunteer
Help inspire a love of reading by volunteering to assemble Literacy Kits for children across Southwest Louisiana! Volunteers bring these kits to life, while financial donations provide the books, educational supplies and materials that make each kit possible. Whether you give your time or make a donation, you're helping put the joy of learning into little hands.
Women United SWLA: Empowering Young Minds
Women United SWLA is a leadership group of passionate women committed to creating brighter futures for children in Southwest Louisiana, with a special focus on early childhood education and literacy. With an annual donation of $1,000 to United Way Southwest Louisiana, you can join this inspiring group of women making a lasting difference in the lives of our youngest learners. Join Women United SWLA today and be part of a powerful network of women investing in the next generation!
Running Toward a Brighter Future for Young Readers
The 2026 Dolly Run brought our community together to celebrate early childhood literacy and help put books into the hands of young children. In 2027, the event will return with a new name but the same important mission: supporting literacy and helping provide free, age-appropriate books mailed each month to preschool-age children, inspiring a lifelong love of reading from the very beginning.
The Fun Starts Here!
Little Activities. Big Learning.
You don't need fancy supplies, a teaching degree or even a lot of time. Just a little imagination!
Reading skills grow through conversations, sounds, songs, stories and play. Try these easy age-appropriate activities at home, in the car, at Grandma's house or wherever your day takes you.
Click each activity sheet to download a pdf. Contact us with any questions.
BABIES
TODDLERS
PRESCHOOLERS
EARLY READERS
Turn Everday Moments into Learning Moments
Some of the best literacy activities don't look like lessons at all.
At the Grocery Store
Find letters on packages, name fruits and vegetables, or let children help make a picture shopping list.
In the Kitchen
Read simple recipe directions, name ingredients and talk about what happens first, next and last.
In the Car
Sing nursery rhymes, play I Spy or take turns telling a silly story.
At Bedtime
Read a favorite book, talk about the pictures or ask your child to make up a new ending.
Five questions that make any book more fun
Instead of reading every word and closing the book, stop occasionally and ask:
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What do you think will happen next?
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Can you find something red on this page?
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How do you think that character feels?
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What would you do if you were in this story?
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What was your favorite part?
For babies and toddlers, simply pointing, naming pictures and responding to sounds is a wonderful start.
Free Resources for Families
Your Little Literacy Toolbox
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50 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR LITTLE READER
Conversation starters to make storytime more interactive.
Every Child Deserves a Story
Help Turn Little Moments into Big Futures
When you support literacy through United Way Southwest Louisiana, you're helping create opportunities for children to learn, grow and discover what they can achieve.
Give your time. Share your support. Help inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Donate to Literacy by texting "LITERACYSWLA" to 41444 or by clicking the button below.