Facilitating literacy events is a priority for the United Way of Chautauqua County, aligning with one of the organization’s core strategic impact areas: youth opportunity.

Organized each year in partnership with the CHQ Professionals Group, Literacy Week brings together volunteers from businesses, civic groups, nonprofits, major manufacturers, small businesses and the broader community to read to students in their classrooms. This year, volunteers read to students in a total of 118 classrooms in Dunkirk, Fredonia, Forestville, Ripley, Sinclairville and Brocton.

Each child received a new book to take home, reinforcing the power of reading beyond the school day and helping spark a lifelong love of learning.

“United Way is about bringing people together,” said Daniel Siracuse, the United Way of Chautauqua County northern Chautauqua community relations coordinator. “Our mission is to mobilize the community to help every person and family improve their lives. Literacy Week puts that mission into motion – by meeting kids where they are, encouraging a connection to reading and showing them that their community believes in their success.”

Monica Simpson, Co-Chair of CHQ Professionals Group and Partner Engagement Coordinator for the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, reads to students in Sinclairville in this photo from United Way’s Literacy Week 2025—an annual event which she and CHQ Professionals Group helps coordinate in partnership with UWCHQ.

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.

“We’re always inspired by how the community shows up for these literacy events,” said Monica Simpson, CHQ Professionals Group co-chair and partner engagement coordinator for the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth. “The opportunity to read with a child – even for just one day – is an investment in their future and in the future of our region. CHQ Professionals are proud to support this effort. It’s our favorite volunteer event of the year, and we love partnering with the United Way.”

Volunteers who participated in Literacy Week 2025 represented a wide range of organizations, including Purina, Cassadaga Job Corps, county government, Dunkirk Police Department, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Plastics, Putnam Record Insurance Agency, Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. (COI), Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), Fidelis Care, The Chautauqua Center, Cattaraugus County Bank, Chautauqua County Partnership For Economic Growth, and the State University at Fredonia.

Literacy Week also featured several Spanish-speaking volunteers who read to children.

Literacy Week 2025 was supported by a grant from Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and supported with book sponsorships from Cattaraugus County Bank, Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, Fredonia Cycling and Sir PrintsAlot.

Eric Rinaldo, Community Impact Manager for United Way of Chautauqua County, reads to students in the Fredonia Central School District in this photo from UWCHQ’s Literacy Week 2025.

For more information about how to get involved with United Way initiatives or to support next year’s Literacy Week, visit www.uwayscc.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.

Travis Maxwell, a volunteer from Nestle Purina PetCare Company, reads to students in the Dunkirk City School District as part of United Way of Chautauqua County’s Literacy Week 2025, joining volunteers from across sectors in support of early literacy and youth opportunity.