A total of 75 volunteers read to more than 1,800 students in 124 classrooms across seven school districts as part of United Way of Chautauqua County's 2026 Literacy Week. Pictured is Victoria Howell-Siracuse, Community Health Program Associate with the Chautauqua Health Network.

A total of 75 volunteers read to more than 1,800 students in 124 classrooms across seven school districts as part of United Way of Chautauqua County’s 2026 Literacy Week. Pictured is Victoria Howell-Siracuse, Community Health Program Associate with the Chautauqua Health Network.

United Way of Chautauqua County’s annual Literacy Week initiative reached more than 1,800 students between April 20 and 24 — with each child receiving a brand-new book to take home.

With the help of 75 volunteers, Literacy Week 2026 took place in 124 classrooms in 10 buildings at seven local school districts — up from 118 classrooms last year. The week-long initiative aligns with United Way of Chautauqua County’s commitment to Youth Opportunity, one of the organization’s four core strategic impact areas.

From all angles, Literacy Week continues to be an example of what it means for a community to thrive — from the impact on schoolchildren, to the partnership with area school districts to the mobilization of volunteers from local businesses, civic organizations, nonprofits and county government.

Organized each year in partnership with CHQ Professionals Group, Literacy Week was again sponsored by Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation — whose grant to United Way each year helps purchase the books which are distributed for free to students. This year, volunteers read in classrooms in the Dunkirk, Fredonia, Forestville, Ripley, Sherman, Sinclairville and Brocton school districts.

“Literacy Week is one of the clearest examples of our mission in action,” said Daniel Siracuse, UWCHQ’s Northern Chautauqua Community Relations Coordinator. “When volunteers step into a classroom and open a book with the children, they are showing those students that their community believes in them and is invested in their future. Year after year, this community shows up — and that’s something we think should make everyone proud.”

United Way has been organizing literacy events for 10 years in Chautauqua County, with the format changing each year based on school participation, volunteer capacity, and community needs. What hasn’t changed is the agency’s commitment to academic success and creating opportunities for the next generation of county residents.

“This initiative keeps getting more meaningful each year,” said Monica Simpson, CHQ Professionals Group Co-Chair and Partner Engagement Coordinator for the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG). “Giving the community a chance to sit and share a story with schoolchildren, knowing that they get to send the students home with a book, is exactly the kind of community investment we are proud to partner in.”

Beyond its direct impact on students, Literacy Week also highlights United Way’s unique role as a mobilization engine — bringing together individuals from throughout the community to drive meaningful change. By leveraging relationships across sectors, UWCHQ helps improve lives and strengthen communities throughout Chautauqua County.

Volunteers who participated in Literacy Week 2026 represented a wide range of organizations, highlighting the cross-sector collaboration that makes this event possible. This year’s readers came from Jamestown Plastics, Cattaraugus County Bank, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), SUNY Fredonia, the SUNY Fredonia Women’s Soccer Team, Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL), The Chautauqua Center, Dunkirk Fredonia Telecommunications (DFT), the Boys and Girls Club, Fidelis, the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), E2CCB BOCES, the Chautauqua Health Network, Purina, Cassadaga Job Corps, county government, and Putnam Record Insurance Agency.

100% of volunteers surveyed said they would participate again next year.

Literacy Week 2026 was supported by a generous grant from Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and supported with book sponsorships from several individuals in the community.

For more information about how to get involved with United Way initiatives or to support next year’s Literacy Week, visit www.unitedwaychq.org or follow United Way on Facebook and Instagram. Questions can also be directed to Daniel Siracuse by calling (716) 366-5424 or by emailing dsiracuse@uwayscc.org.