LEWISTON – The YWCA of Central Maine has joined the effort of ReadyRead!, a cooperative effort put forth by the Lewiston and Auburn public school departments to ensure local awareness of the importance of early literacy levels in the community. The Lewiston and Auburn public libraries and many local literacy volunteers have also been a part of the starting success of the program.

Close to 40 children in the YWCA’s child care program from ages 2.5 to 5 were involved in a book reading on May 24 to introduce the new effort to parents and children. Betty Gundersdorf, an advocate of the initiative, volunteered to read to the children.

“Literacy has always been a significant part of the curriculum in our child care programs here at the YW,” said Wendy Russell, YWCA child care director. “Becoming involved in this collaborative effort through our patrons and teaching methods has already been a rewarding experience for all involved.”

ReadyRead! encourages parents and community members to pledge to read to their children 20 minutes a day. Some helpful tips to make the daily book reading pledge a successful effort is to keep a book in the baby’s diaper bag, bring a book to a doctor’s appointment, keep books in the car to be read during transporting from here to there and more.

For more information, contact the YWCA at 795-4050.