More than 100 high school students from across Berks County gathered recently at the Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading for the inaugural Read Alliance Youth Summit.
The event was organized by United Way of Berks County to celebrate teen literacy tutors and encourage leadership development.
The daylong summit brought together students participating in Read Alliance, a program that trains and pays high school students to tutor first graders in reading using a phonics-based curriculum.
For many students, organizers said, the program’s impact extends beyond literacy instruction.
“When I think about this program, the word that comes to mind is impact, not just on our younger students, but on us as tutors, too,” Hannah Rivera, a four-year participant in the program, said in a statement. “The relationships we’ve built, the confidence we’ve gained and the skills we’ve learned have made a real difference.”
The initiative, launched locally in partnership with the Reading School District in 2021, expanded to the Gov. Mifflin School District during the 2025-26 school year.
Organizers said the summit’s “UNSTOPPABLE” theme was meant to recognize the perseverance and impact of the teen tutors, while also exposing them to career opportunities and leadership lessons.
“These tutors play a powerful role in our community,” Tammy White, president of United Way, said in a statement. “Their dedication not only helps young students strengthen essential reading skills but also builds a stronger future for Berks County.”
The summit included leadership workshops, peer networking sessions and Leadership Lightning Rounds, during which students met with business and community leaders to discuss leadership qualities and career pathways.
Jay Sidhu, executive chairman of Customers Bank, delivered the keynote address, sharing lessons about persistence and resilience drawn from his book “Never Ever, Ever Give Up.”
David W. Patti, special assistant to the executive chair at Customers Bank, praised the students’ contributions to younger children and families throughout the county.
“Their work makes a measurable difference for children and families,” Patti said.
The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Khalid Mumin, Reading School District superintendent.
United Way officials said early literacy is one of the strongest indicators of long-term academic success and economic stability.
The organization’s reading initiatives focus on helping children achieve grade-level reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
Since the program launched in Berks, officials said, Read Alliance has engaged 489 teen tutors who have supported 743 young learners.