MLS D.C. United

United for D.C. launches third United Reads Reading Corner

Published on August 4, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington, D.C. (August 4, 2008) - United for D.C., the non-profit arm of D.C. United, announced today plans for the opening of its third United Reads Reading Corner at Unity Health Care's Upper Cardozo Health Center. D.C. United and United for D.C. have teamed up with Reach Out and Read of Metro DC and will launch a new partnership with the Unity Health Care Foundation at the kick-off event on Wednesday, August 6 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET. United players Gonzalo Peralta and Fred will read to patients and their families while promoting the importance of reading. Participants will receive one free book in preparation for the new school year.

"United for D.C. is very excited about the launch of a third reading corner at Unity Health Care's Upper Cardozo Health Center," said Sara Peterson, Executive Director of United for D.C. "It provides a great opportunity to reach out to a new community and encourage the importance of reading to young people."

United for D.C. has previously opened two Reading Corners located at the Children's Health Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and on Good Hope Road in southeast D.C. The goal of each Reading Corner is to provide a fun soccer-themed atmosphere where children and their families can read while waiting to visit their doctor, as well as to promote physical activity as part of a child's healthy development.

The purpose of the Unity Health Care Foundation is to cultivate financial resources to support the mission-driven programming within Unity Health Care, Inc. The Foundation focuses on the development of essential relationships with corporations, philanthropists, foundations and volunteers in support of Unity Health Care's vast array of services and programs. For more information about the Unity Health Care Foundation, please contact Audrey White, Director of Corporate and Community Relations at 202-715-7982.

Reach Out and Read is a national program that promotes early literacy by bringing new books and advice about the importance of reading aloud into the pediatric exam room. During regular "well-visits" with pediatricians at 26 clinics in the District, children aged six-months to five years receive a new book. Additionally, health care providers demonstrate to parents how to use the books at home to help their child reach motor, cognitive, and language developmental milestones. Reach Out and Read creates reading corners in health center waiting areas throughout the District and trains volunteers to read aloud and share books with patients of all ages.

For more information on the United Reads program or to receive more information about any of United for D.C.'s activities, please visit www.unitedfordc.org or contact Sara Peterson at 202-587-5434 or speterson@dcunited.com .

United for D.C. United for D.C., Inc. was founded on January 8, 2002 as the charitable arm of Major League Soccer's D.C. United. United for D.C. is a 501(c) 3 organization chartered to serve the Washington, D.C. community through the creation or support of programs, events and organizations that advance educational and social welfare opportunities (primarily health and recreational) for the area's youth, particularly those who may be economically, physically or mentally disadvantaged.

Unity Health Care, Inc. Unity Health Care, Inc., Washington DC's largest nonprofit health and social service organization, serves individuals and families in all eight Wards of the District of Columbia through its network of 11 Community Health Centers, four specialized Health centers, ten sites serving homeless people and two mobile medical units. More than 80,000 people including the working poor, uninsured, homeless and the formerly incarcerated benefited from services in 2007. Unity Health Care Foundation, an independent 501 (c) 3 organization, cultivates resources with corporations, foundations and private donors that support the mission-driven services within Unity Health Care, Inc. For more information about Unity Health Care, Inc., visit www.unityhealthcare.org .

Reach Out and Read of Metro DC Reach Out and Read of Metro DC is part of a national program that believes giving books to children is not only a good thing to do, but is also an evidence-based strategy to promote health in primary care pediatrics. Reach Out and Read of Metro DC is a coalition of 26 health centers in Washington, DC, whose doctors deliver a full dose of early literacy to low-income children ages six months to five years.

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