UNITED WAY MAKES SURE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CAN START SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED, BECOME PROFICIENT READERS AT A YOUNG AGE, STAY ON TRACK IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, EARN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND PURSUE ADDITIONAL SCHOOL OR TRAINING THAT LEADS TO A LASTING CAREER.
OUR VISION
Youth achieve educational goals necessary to become positive, contributing members of the community.
OUR TARGET ISSUES
- Focus on early literacy so children can succeed in the classroom.
- Support youth by reducing barriers that limit their success.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You are needed to help implement the strategies proven to connect communities to their schools: encouraging parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged in early childhood advocacy.
INTERNAL INITIATIVES
Children have to learn to read before they can read to learn.
Nearly 59% of Marion County Kindergarteners are not ready for Kindergarten, based off of Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screaner.
ReadingPals connects passionate volunteers with students who need extra help developing essential literacy skills.
OUR FUNDED EDUCATION PARTNERS
Arnette House: Non-Residential Family Counseling
Provides counseling to students experiencing behavioral problems in school, which interferes with their academic success.
Boys & Girls Club of Marion County:
Project Learn Reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school through "high-yield" learning activities at the Club and home.
Life Skills with Kut Different A caring mentor will leverage the Boys & Girls' facility and membership to develop life, communication, and leadership skills.
Early Learning Coalition of Marion County: VPK Expansion
Initiative to increase the number of VPK students in Marion County.
Episcopal Children's Services: Early Education
Provides a better start for children and ensures that they are eager to learn and ready to succeed when they enter kindergarten.
Florida Center for the Blind: Vision Buddies Screening Program
Provides students with functional vision assessments, including central, peripheral, static movement, binocular function, and colorblindness.