There’s a new organization on campus. Reading for Impact is a student organization that teaches and helps improve the Auburn-Opelika community’s literacy. Members are dedicated to “building connections through reading, empowering individuals with literacy skills and providing access to books and educational support, ultimately enriching lives through the power of literacy."
Starting in January, Reading for Impact already has over 45 members, five executive board members and an advisor. Students can join year-round and no prerequisites are required to join.
Brentlei Barnett, the founder and president of the club, is a senior biological sciences major at Auburn University. At the first meeting, Barnett shared some statistics on the nation’s literacy.
“More than 43 million adults in the U.S. cannot read, write or do basic math above a third grade level and the OECD [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] found that 50% of U.S. adults can’t read a book written at an eighth-grade level,” Barnett said. "20% of adults in Lee County lack basic literacy skills and 15% of adults in Alabama are functionally illiterate.”
While these statistics may come as a shock, there are resources for those in Lee County who are struggling with reading or writing. The Lee County Literacy Coalition (LCLC) is a nonprofit organization in Auburn dedicated to empowering adults through literacy. Reading for Impact and the LCLC work together closely, offering free, confidential English as a second language (ESL) tutoring services to native and non-native English speakers.
Madi Bryan, Reading for Impact’s volunteer engagement coordinator, also works for LCLC, where many of the executive board members of Reading for Impact initially started volunteering.
”We want to get people who are involved in the club to also be involved with [LCLC], because we’re in desperate need of volunteer tutors […] we wanna give [members] the opportunity to come in and tutor with us,” Bryan said.
Reading for Impact has many events and activities as well as ones they plan on implementing in the future, such as: Youth Storytime Volunteers, Lee County literacy tutoring, Reading Companions for the Elderly, community book drives and donations, literary advocacy and public awareness and “Once Upon a Time” Bedtime Stories for Pediatric Patients.
Allie Milham, senior in event management, shared why she joined the club.
“[I joined] because of its incredible cause, which involves serving underprivileged communities through activities such as reading to the elderly, teaching English to non-speakers and reading to sick children in hospitals,” Milham said.
To Kristen Oliveto, junior in aerospace engineering, the club offers more than just temporary help.
“I joined because I was drawn to the club’s mission of using literacy to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Unlike other volunteer opportunities, this club doesn’t just offer temporary help, it [also] builds long-term skills that empower individuals, whether they’re ESL learners, children or adults,” she said.
Savanna DePriest, another member of Reading for Impact and a senior in interdisciplinary health sciences, also shared her reasons for joining.
“I feel like it’s really different. There are lots of different service organizations on campus that are like volunteering at senior citizen homes or with animals, but I felt like this was really different, and it’s kind of overlooked in the community,” she said.
Oliveto also voiced that her favorite part of the club is “seeing the real impact literacy has on people’s confidence and daily lives.”
For Milham, the club means connection.
“What I love most about being a part of this club is the opportunity to build meaningful connections within our local communities. It is incredibly rewarding to see the difference I can make through simple conversations and shared moments,” Milham said. “Whether I’m reading to a child or teaching someone a new language skill, knowing that I can positively impact someone’s day is truly fulfilling.”
According to Barnett, one of the club's priorities is to reach every member of the community.
“I would say we’re very inclusive, for sure. We’re reaching different demographics , and so it’s very important to be able to be culturally aware,” Barnett said.
Claire Megginson, a biological sciences major and vice president of the club, agreed.
“I feel like inclusive is probably a pretty good way to describe it. I mean, we’re a very relaxed [organization].”
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