Book Buddies is a United Way of Cayuga County initiative to help students build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and develop a lifelong love of reading through positive mentorship. The program’s goal is to promote literacy and mentorship through one-on-one or small group reading sessions in schools, with objectives focused on increasing reading engagement and fluency, fostering positive adult–student relationships, encouraging lifelong reading habits, and strengthening connections between schools, families, and the community.
Currently, this program is offered at the Auburn Enlarged City School District in three of the elementary schools. Plans are underway to launch Book Buddies in an additional school district within the year. Please check back frequently for opportunities.
Volunteer Book Buddy Needs:
- Seeking Substitute Book Buddies ONLY:
- Genesee Elementary, Auburn
- Herman Elementary, Auburn
- Casey Park Elementary, Auburn
If you are interested in becoming a Book Buddy for the 2026–2027 school year, or if your business would like to sponsor the program, please contact Sarah Sayles, Programs Coordinator, at ssayles@unitedwayofcayugacounty.org
Program Schedule
- Auburn Enlarged City School District:
- Genesee Elementary: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
- Herman Elementary: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
- Casey Park Elementary: 1st & 3rd Thursdays
Book Buddies launched as a pilot program in the fall of 2024 at Genesee Elementary, Book Buddies paired 14 students with trained community volunteers who met twice a month during lunch to read together. The impact was clear—students showed increased enthusiasm for reading, stronger school engagement, and improved attendance, with some students increasing attendance by more than 50%. Teachers observed meaningful growth, and volunteers reported forming rewarding connections with students.
This program is fully volunteer-driven. Community members who live or work in Cayuga County stepped up to serve as Book Buddies, and all participants were carefully vetted by United Way and AECSD before entering schools.