The RocRead program is expanding with new initiatives, partnerships, and book drives. As YNN's Mike Hedeen reports, the hope is to encourage more students to read at home.

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New partners are joining the initiative that is designed to get city school district students to read more outside the classroom. So far this school year, nearly 20,000 students and their families have participated in the RocRead program, with East High leading the way.

"There's this choice in there. So it's very different that a school assignment where you got to read x book for this part of the curriculum. You go in there and choose what you want and report on it. It allows relationship building from teacher to student, as well, like 'oh I didn't know you liked whales or you liked this text,' and then they can have some other conversations. So there's an underlying purpose it serves, which is great for our kids and for our staff," said Anibal Soler, East High principal.

Business and community partners are working with students to encourage them to read, including some of Rochester's professional sports teams.

"They are role models, kids look up to them. So if we can reach out to a kid that has not read yet, to any child. We visit a lot of schools, the kids get so excited. So yes, if we can reach out to the kids and the players can enthuse children to read, we'll do it," said Mary Herbst, Rochester RazorSharks.

Rochester area Chevy dealers are teaming up with the United Way between now and May 10th to fill pick-up trucks at each dealership with books for the RocReading program. On August 16th, any student that has read a book and written an essay over the summer will receive two free tickets to the Rochester Red Wings game that day and get a free book.