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
- Focusing on early literacy so children can succeed in the classroom.
- Supporting youth by reducing barriers that limit their success.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
To reach our goal, we need your help. The strategies proven to work are those that connect communities to their schools: parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged in early childhood advocacy. Volunteer to help.
INTERNAL INITIATIVES
Children have to learn to read, before they can read to learn.
Nearly 50% of Marion County’s third graders attending public school are reading below grade level. This puts these students at a distinct disadvantage throughout their academic careers. These children are four times more likely to drop out of high school if they continue on this path.
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 who are 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 in the home.
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 better starts 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 a comprehensive vision screening to students, including functional vision assessment of central vision, peripheral vision, static movement, binocular function, and colorblindness.