In Will County Schools
%
The average percent of low-income students
%
The average percent of students on par for third grade reading
%
The average percent of students on par for 11th grade reading
%
The percent of kindergarten children* start school without the basic skills they need to succeed
Download Will County School Report Card Data
Poverty and Literacy
Areas with a higher percentage of low income students have a higher rate of chronic truancy and are less likely to be on par with their grade level reading. These schools then see lower SAT performance and a lower graduation rate.
Our Work
We emphasize the importance of literacy and create access to literature for low-income students and their parents as these low income students are less likely to read at grade level. This project includes My Little Free Libraries, reading to kids through partners, and sharing materials on the importance of literacy, all while promoting the local public library.


Facets of Read to Succeed
- My Little Free Libraries
- Opportunities to Read to Kids through partners
- Development of materials on the importance of literacy
- Informational sessions on literacy through partners
- Promotion of public libraries
Future goals for Read to Succeed:
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Get Involved with Read to Succeed
Learn How
- Attend a meeting for Women United’s Read to Succeed: Use our Facebook Group to stay updated and RSVP for meetings.
- Stay updated on Read to Succeed: Join our email list
- Supply a My Little Free Library: You, your friends, your family, or your office would collect or sponsor the library’s bookshelf and supply the books. The number of books, age range, and selection, will be determined in collaboration with local literacy experts. Contact Sarah Oprzedek, Vice President of Operations & Development at 815.723.2500 ext 107
- Host a My Little Free Library: Does your location service low income children? Is the library in your community inaccessible to many families in your community? Contact Loren Yaksich, Community Impact Manager at 815.723.2500 ext 108
Host a Book Drive
United Way of Will County book drives support our Read to Succeed program’s My Little Free Libraries.
Will County Public Libraries
- Beecher – Beecher Public Library (708) 946-9090
- Bolingbrook – Fountaindale Public Library District (630) 759-2102
- Braidwood – Fossil Ridge Public Library District (815) 458-2187
- Channahon – Three Rivers Public Library District (815) 467-6200
- Crest Hill – Crest Hill Branch Library (815) 725-0234
- Crete – Crete Public Library (708) 672-8017
- Frankfort – Frankfort Public Library (815) 469-2423
- Homer Glen – Homer Township Public Library District (708) 301-7908
- Joliet – Black Road Branch Library (815) 740-2660
- Joliet – Joliet Public Library (815) 740-2660
- Lockport – DesPlains Valley Public Library District (815) 838-0755
- Manhattan – Manhattan – Elwood Public Library District (815) 478-3987
- Mokena – Mokena Community Public Library District (708) 479-9663
- New Lenox – New Lenox Public Library District (815) 485-2605
- Peotone – Peotone Public Library District (708) 258-3436
- Plainfield – Plainfield Public Library District (815) 436-6639
- Romeoville – Romeoville Branch Library (815) 886-2030
- Shorewood – Shorewood-Troy Public Library District (815) 725-1715
- University – Park University Park Public Library District (708) 534-2580
- Wilmington – Wilmington Public Library District (815) 476-2834