Washington, D.C. (October 7, 2009) - D.C. United and its charitable arm, United for D.C., announced today the 2009-2010 United Reads program schedule. United Reads is a signature program created to encourage elementary school students in the greater Washington DC area to fall in love with reading. Now in its eighth year, United Reads will continue to partner with the Heart of America Foundation to provide two new books to each student during D.C. United player visits to each school.
“United for D.C. is excited to welcome three new schools to the United Reads program and to continue emphasizing the importance of reading to elementary school students throughout the District,” said United for D.C. Foundation Manager Kate Larned. “We hope through our visits and the example of our players that the children will not only be encouraged to read but come to understand that it is the basic tool to fulfilling all their goals.”
The fall season is highlighted by the addition of three new schools to the United Reads Program: Simon Elementary (Ward 8), Tubman Elementary (Ward 1) and Bruce-Monroe Elementary (Ward 1). United Reads will be at a total of six different elementary schools between October 9 and October 29. During the visits, most students will enjoy player appearances as well as receive two new age-appropriate books to add to their at-home libraries. In addition, United Reads provides free access to learning materials and an annual reading challenge.
In addition to focusing on reading and literacy, United for D.C. will once again be incorporating an additional partnership with the Banking on Our Future program, a national financial literacy program, pioneered by Operation HOPE Inc. Each fourth and fifth grader at many of the adopted schools will be introduced to this program at the fall reading visits and have a chance to participate in the program throughout the year.
For more information about United Reads or any of United for D.C.’s programs, please contact Kate Larned at 202-587-5463 or klarned@dcunited.com
or visit www.unitedfordc.org
.
The following is the United Reads fall school schedule:
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tubman Elementary School
3101 13th St NW
Washington, DC 20010
1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Simon Elementary School
401 Mississippi Ave SE
Washington, DC 20032
1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bruce- Monroe Elementary School
3560 Warder St NW
Washington, DC 20001
1:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Ketcham Elementary School
1919 15th St. SE
Washington, DC 20020
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Savoy Elementary
2501 M.L. Ling Ave SE
Washington, DC 20020
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Payne Elementary School
305 15th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
United for D.C.
United For D.C., Inc. was founded on January 8, 2002 as the charitable arm of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United. United For D.C. is a 501(c)3 organization chartered to serve the Washington, D.C. community through the creation or support of programs, events and organizations that advance educational and social welfare opportunities (primarily health and recreational) for the area’s youth, particularly those who may be economically, physically or mentally disadvantaged.
About Heart of America
Founded in 1997, The Heart of America Foundation's mission is to provide disadvantaged children with the tools they need to read, succeed and make a difference in life. The Heart of America Foundation's programs uniquely combine volunteer service and literacy. The organization is volunteer-led and peer-driven, operating with a small staff and hundreds of volunteers.
About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Operation HOPE is America's leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization. With more than 400 private sector partners, 1500 nonprofit organizations and schools, and 100 government partners in 30 major U.S. cities as well as South Africa, Operation Hope has raised more than $400 million in it's pursuit of educating, assisting and inspiring the next generation of global stakeholders. Through international initiatives and its three principal programs: Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about money), HOPE Coalition America (Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, 888-388-HOPE, financial emergency preparedness and disaster relief), and Walk-In HOPE Centers (loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles) Operation HOPE has assumed the responsibility of piloting the Silver Rights Movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all underserved communities.
Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.
Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440
