At United Through Reading, our volunteers keep military families connected — from welcoming families at events to stickering books and running Story Stations around the world. We couldn’t do this work without them.
Volunteering is a true win‑win‑win: for organizations, communities, and the volunteers themselves. This month, we’re spotlighting one of our incredible volunteers, Jessica Novosad. Here’s Jessica, in her own words.
I’ve had the joy of volunteering with United Through Reading for almost two years, and it’s been a meaningful, consistent, and truly enjoyable experience. What first drew me to the organization was the flexibility it offered—volunteering could move with me through PCS (Permanent Change of Station) and could provide me with a way to connect with the local military-connected community.
When our family relocated to the National Capital Region, I was instantly able to get connected with other spouses, volunteers, and local military families. I’ve had the opportunity to support recording sessions and outreach events throughout the area. Most often, I volunteer at Yellow Ribbon Program events, helping ensure service members and their families know about the many valuable literacy resources available to them, especially during times of high operational tempo. Being able to volunteer on weekends also fits perfectly with my work schedule.
The United Through Reading staff have been incredibly kind, supportive, and understanding every step of the way, making each event a joy to be part of. With a background in early childhood and elementary education, I know how powerful a story can be in a child’s life—and I feel truly grateful to help bring those moments to military families. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, I can’t recommend volunteering with United Through Reading enough!
And we can’t thank Jessica enough! You can learn more about volunteering for UTR here. We would love to have you join the team!