United Way is advancing the common good by helping kids succeed in school.
Those early years matter! Most brain development takes place by a child’s third birthday. That’s why we fund a program called Parents as Teachers® through the Volunteers of America - to help at-risk mothers give their very young children the care and love they need. The results?
- Children’s developmental delays and health problems are detected early
- Children enter kindergarten ready to learn and the achievement gap is narrowed
- Children achieve school success into the elementary grades
- Parents improve their parenting knowledge and skills
- Parents are more involved in their children’s schooling
- Families are more likely to promote children’s language and literacy
School age kids need encouragement, too! We provided part of the funding that created a quality afterschool program at Huddle Elementary School in Alexandria this year, helping more than 50 elementary school kids do their homework, learn key concepts, and feel great about succeeding in school. We also fostered a local coalition to promote and celebrate quality out-of-school education at the Pineville Youth Center, the YWCA, and elsewhere.
And we continue our 63-year heritage of funding agencies that help drive educational success such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Hope House, and the YWCA to provide great learning experiences for all children and youth.