Utah is at a critical moment for early literacy. Just over half of Utah students are reading at grade level in the early grades. UServeUtah mobilizes people of all ages to meet this need. Through AmeriCorps Seniors, AmeriCorps State programs and statewide community engagement initiatives, we expand school capacity, strengthen student engagement and provide relationship-driven, evidence-based literacy support.
Utah is at a critical moment for early literacy. Just over half of Utah students are reading at grade level in the early grades. UServeUtah mobilizes people of all ages to meet this need. Through AmeriCorps Seniors, AmeriCorps State programs and statewide community engagement initiatives, we expand school capacity, strengthen student engagement and provide relationship-driven, evidence-based literacy support.
How we make an impact
AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents
This program connects trained adults age 55+ with students who need consistent, one-on-one support to build strong early literacy skills.
AmeriCorps in Schools
AmeriCorps State programs place members in schools and community organizations across Utah to expand capacity, strengthen student engagement, and support early literacy and academic success.
Engaging the community
Through statewide community engagement initiatives, we bring together volunteers, schools and partners to foster a culture where reading success is a shared effort.
AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent program
One-on-one reading support for students who need it most
UServeUtah manages the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program in Carbon, Emery, Grand, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Summit, Tooele and Wasatch counties.
Adults age 55+ serve as trained volunteers in local schools, providing consistent one-on-one support to students who need additional help with early learning and reading.
Foster Grandparents:
- Serve 15 or more hours per week
- Reinforce phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension
- Provide steady encouragement and positive classroom support
- Help students build confidence and engagement
2025 Impact
How to support the Foster Grandparent program
You can help expand one-on-one literacy support for Utah students by helping us grow the program in two key ways. First, connect us with potential service sites, such as schools and Head Start programs, that would benefit from consistent, relationship-based reading support. Second, share the opportunity with adults age 55+ who may be interested in serving as Foster Grandparents. By spreading the word and building new partnerships, you help us reach more young readers and strengthen early literacy across Utah.
AmeriCorps in schools
Serving students and expanding capacity
UServeUtah manages Utah’s AmeriCorps State portfolio, placing members in schools and community organizations across the state.
Early literacy is strengthened when students have consistent attendance, strong mentoring relationships and support systems that help remove barriers to learning.
AmeriCorps members:
- Provide tutoring and academic interventions
- Support student attendance and engagement
- Deliver mentoring and small-group instruction
- Reinforce literacy through applied and hands-on learning
Programs addressing education
AmeriCorps State programs with a focus on education include:
- AmeriCorps Student Success Program – Tutoring, mentoring, academic interventions.
- AmeriCorps Utah STEM Initiative – Hands-on learning that builds comprehension and confidence.
- Utah Maker Access and Knowledge Ecosystem – Applied learning experiences reinforcing literacy.
- One Utah Service Fellowship – Fellows support attendance, engagement, and readiness to learn.
How to support AmeriCorps in Utah
You can help expand AmeriCorps’ impact by strengthening both our host sites and our recruitment efforts.
Nonprofits, schools and community organizations can apply to become AmeriCorps host sites and receive members who provide direct support in classrooms and communities. Hosting an AmeriCorps member increases capacity, supports literacy and learning, and helps organizations better serve the people in their communities.
Individuals can help by sharing opportunities to serve. AmeriCorps positions are open to individuals age 18 and older throughout Utah. By spreading the word, you help connect more people to meaningful service experiences that strengthen schools, support students and build stronger communities.
Engaging the community
Making literacy a shared effort
Literacy success extends far beyond the classroom. UServeUtah mobilizes communities across the state to support young readers and build a culture where reading achievement is a shared responsibility.
Through Volunteer Management Trainings, schools and nonprofits learn best practices for recruiting and managing volunteers who can make a meaningful impact on literacy. United in Service projects bring community members together to address shared needs, with upcoming projects focusing on strengthening literacy and helping students develop strong reading skills.
The Volunteer for Good program engages high school students in structured service opportunities, allowing them to support younger learners with reading and other early learning activities while fostering intergenerational connection and leadership development.
