Every child in Pickens County deserves to walk into kindergarten ready to learn and leave third grade ready for the rest of their life. United Way of Pickens County invests in education programs that make that possible, with a bold goal of ensuring 70% of Pickens County 3rd graders are reading on grade level by 2028. Your gift makes that goal achievable.
Education Programs That Change Lives in Pickens County
We believe that reading is the foundation of everything. When a child learns to read, doors open. When they struggle, doors close- often before anyone realizes it. That's why we invest in education programs that reach children at every stage, from their very first book to the moment they cross the third grade finish line as confident readers.
CAMP iROCK
Pickens County's summer reading program helps struggling readers build skills, confidence, and connections that last a lifetime.
PRESCHOOL PAGES
Women United's signature program gives Pickens County toddlers and their caregivers the tools to walk into kindergarten confident, curious, and ready to learn.
BORN LEARNING
Simple, research-based activities delivered to parents and caregivers help young children learn and grow every day, building the foundation for lifelong success.
LANTERN
Free, research-based text messages delivered weekly give parents and caregivers of children prenatal through age eight practical tips on brain development, health, STEM, and more. Text SCKIDS to 27448 to sign up.
INVESTING IN WHAT WORKS
Your gift also empowers our volunteer-led Education Impact Council to award grants to high-quality community programs that further our shared goal of 3rd grade reading proficiency in Pickens County. Each year, trained community volunteers review grant applications and fund programs with proven results. Learn more about our community investment process.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE CRESCENT REGION: PROJECT LEARN- READY TO READ
This program being piloted at Six Mile Elementary helps struggling readers in Pickens County gain the skills they need to read on grade level. Through after-school and summer programming, students receive daily small-group instruction from certified teachers, AI-powered tutoring with the ABii robot, and engaging literacy activities. Parents are also involved through workshops and take-home literacy kits.
CROSSWELL ELEMENTARY: READ AND RISE IN PARTNERSHIP
Crosswell Elementary's program focuses on early intervention for first graders and their families to close literacy gaps before third grade. Monthly workshops equip parents with research-based reading strategies that align with what students are learning in school. Bilingual resources ensure families from multilingual backgrounds are fully included.
FOREST ACRES ELEMENTARY: AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING
Forest Acres offers small-group tutoring twice a week for 3rd graders performing below grade level. Tutors from Clemson University, Anderson University, and Southern Wesleyan University work with small groups on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension from October through March, giving students consistent, personalized support.
PICKENS COUNTY FIRST STEPS: REACH OUT AND READ
Working through pediatric care visits, Reach Out and Read helps families build early literacy habits from birth to age five. At every well-child visit, doctors provide an age-appropriate book, model reading techniques, and encourage parents to read aloud daily. The program reaches approximately 1,750 Pickens County children each year.
PICKENS COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: ACTIVE READING WORKSHOPS FOR CAREGIVERS
The library's Active Reading Workshops teach parents how to read with their children, not just to them, using practical strategies to build comprehension and vocabulary. Workshops are held monthly in person and every other month virtually, serving up to 150 households each year.
HAVE A QUESTION?
For more information about the Education programs offered through United Way of Pickens County, contact Anna Spatafora.