Crosswell Elementary’s program focuses on early intervention for first graders and their families to close literacy gaps before third grade. Monthly workshops equip parents with research-based reading strategies—such as phonics, decoding, and fluency—that align with what students are learning in school. Bilingual resources and support ensure families from multilingual backgrounds are included. Parents and students participate together in hands-on activities, building both skills and stronger school-family partnerships. The program strengthens early literacy foundations and fosters a love of reading.  Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

Description here. A Pickens County First Steps program.

Description here. A Pickens County First Steps program.

Description here. A Pickens County First Steps program.

The Pickens County Library System’s Active Reading Workshop teaches parents how to actively read with their children. Using the ABCs of Active Reading—Ask questions, Build vocabulary, and Connect to their world—caregivers learn practical strategies to strengthen comprehension and vocabulary. Families also receive free books to take home, along with resources to keep practicing. Workshops are held monthly in person and every other month virtually, serving up to 150 households each year. By empowering parents, the program ensures more children develop the comprehension skills needed for success by third grade. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

The signature program of United Way of Pickens County's Women United, Preschool Pages provides enriching learning experiences for young children, while modeling for caregivers various ways they can engage their children in early literacy activities at home. During Preschool Pages sessions, young children and their caregivers participate in story time and related crafts and activities, which help these young learners develop important early literacy skills while learning that school is a safe and nurturing place. The caregivers actively engage with their child during these sessions, and are provided with information and activities to use at home.You can support children by donating books or funds for books, ensuring that each child can take a book home from the program to build their home library. Learn more. Funded by United Way of Pickens County's Women United.

Pickens County First Steps Reach Out and Read works through pediatric care, helping families build early literacy habits from birth to age 5. At every well-child visit, doctors provide families with an age-appropriate book, model reading techniques, and encourage parents to read aloud daily. This program supports brain development, strong parent-child bonds, and early kindergarten readiness—all critical for later success in reading. In Pickens County, the program will reach about 1,750 children each year, ensuring more families have the tools and resources for early literacy at home. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

Born Learning Trails are interactive, walkable trails of signs for caregivers and children which foster early learning opportunities. Each sign suggests fun outdoor games designed to boost children’s language and literacy skills while helping families get active together. Find the locations and learn more. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

Lantern is a free subscription based texting service, in partnership with Pickens County First Steps, which promotes the learning, development and health of children prenatal through eight years old. Lantern provides two to four text messages per week on topics such as brain development, games and activities, health and wellness, STEM, safety, and more. Parents and caregivers with children under 8 can text the word SCKIDS to 27448 to sign up. Learn more. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

Description here. A Pickens County First Steps program.

Description here. A Pickens County First Steps program.

This program being piloted at Six Mile Elementary helps struggling readers in Pickens County gain the skills they need to read on grade level. Through after-school and summer programming, students receive daily small-group instruction from certified teachers, AI-powered tutoring with the ABii robot, and engaging activities like library trips and literacy challenges. Parents are also involved through workshops and take-home literacy kits. The goal is to prevent learning loss, accelerate reading growth, and close achievement gaps so children can become confident readers. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

United Way of Pickens County has partnered with the School District of Pickens County, the YMCA of Easley, Pickens and Powdersville, and the Clemson University Call Me MiSTER Program to address summer learning loss through Camp iRock. Camp iRock is a summer program for struggling readers in rising Kindergarten - 4th grades with a proven success record. Learn more. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.

Forest Acres is tackling reading struggles by offering small-group tutoring twice a week for 3rd graders performing below grade level. Tutors from Clemson University, Anderson University, and Southern Wesleyan University work with groups of 4–5 students, focusing on phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. The program runs from October through March, giving students consistent, personalized support that helps them catch up in reading and improve their confidence. Progress is tracked regularly to ensure students grow toward grade-level proficiency. Funded by United Way of Pickens County.