Celebrating the Lasting Legacy of Charlotte County Reads
By Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer
Every great story begins with someone turning the first page. For many children, that first page becomes the beginning of a lifelong journey of imagination and discovery. Sometimes, all it takes is a caring adult sharing a story and encouraging them to believe in themselves.
More than five years ago, United Way Charlotte County (UWCC) joined Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, and the YMCA of Southwest Florida with a shared vision: to help children strengthen their reading skills while building confidence through caring adult relationships.
Together, Charlotte County Reads and the Reading Buddies program were launched through funding from UWCC. This volunteer-driven initiative paired adults with young students during after-school programs, providing weekly one-on-one reading sessions. Volunteers did more than read books; they encouraged curiosity, celebrated progress, and built confidence.
Reading Buddies was intentionally designed to support student success. Volunteers received literacy focused training, and student progress was measured throughout the school year. The Patterson Foundation strengthened this commitment to data and continuous improvement by investing in a dedicated data specialist at CCPS allowing partners to track outcomes, provide feedback, and continually refine the program.
During the 2025–2026 school year, 110 students in grades K–5 were matched with 58 Reading Buddy volunteers for a total of 1398 volunteer hours. Week after week, volunteers shared their time, encouragement, and love of reading. Together, they helped students achieve the highest gains in the program’s history, with 89% demonstrating gains in reading and 96% demonstrating gains in math.
As Lynn Dorler, CEO with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, reflected, "Together, we've changed the trajectory of countless young readers and demonstrated what is possible when a community comes together on behalf of its children."
While these numbers are worth celebrating, the true impact is found in the moments behind them; the excitement of a child sharing a favorite book, the pride of mastering a difficult word, and the trusted relationships built with volunteers who consistently showed up.
As every great story does, this one begins a new chapter.
Over the past several years, UWCC’s investment helped our partners build and strengthen the Reading Buddies model. Today, the approach is firmly embedded into the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County and the YMCA of Southwest Florida, who will continue offering Reading Buddies within their after-school programs. Children will continue receiving the individualized support, encouragement, and relationships that have made this initiative so successful.
As UWCC concludes our role as the backbone for Charlotte County Reads, we do so with tremendous pride and gratitude. This transition reflects the natural evolution of community partnerships. As programs become embedded within the organizations best equipped to sustain them, it creates opportunities to focus on emerging needs and new ways to strengthen children, families, and our community.
We are grateful to The Patterson Foundation, Charlotte County Public Schools, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, the YMCA of Southwest Florida, our dedicated Reading Buddy volunteers, and every child and family who helped write this remarkable chapter. Because of your commitment, countless children have discovered the joy of reading, gained confidence in their abilities, and built relationships that will continue to impact their futures.
This chapter of UWCC’s direct involvement may be complete, but the story continues. The relationships built, lessons learned, and lives impacted through Charlotte County Reads will continue to shape the future of our community. And that is a story worth celebrating.
Although our role in Charlotte County Reads has come to a close, our commitment remains the same. We look forward to the next opportunity to bring people together to help children, families, and our community thrive. To learn more about United Way Charlotte County's mission and the many ways you can make a difference, visit www.unitedwayccfl.org/turningpage.
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community so all can thrive, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Chief Executive Officer. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.