Education

Thank you Purdue Extension for inviting United Way to come out and join your panel in discussing grant writing from a funder's perspective.

Panelists: Mary Smith, ED Our Community Foundation; Zella Taylor, CEO/ED UWDC; Amy Schweikarth Bolek, Founder/CEO, Bolek Grant writing and consulting

Panelists:
Mary Smith, ED Our Community Foundation; Zella Taylor, CEO/ED UWDC;

Amy Schweikarth Bolek, Founder/CEO, Bolek Grant writing and consulting

 

"100% of the families that participated in the post survey said that overall, the resources and materials inside the Bedtime in a Box helped with a more consistent bedtime routine with their child."  Angie Bruner, Site Coordinator with PACE Community Center

Summary

Bedtime in a box kits were provided through UWDC to Early Head Start and Head Start Students.  The kits are designed to improve reading skills and promote healthy bedtime routines.  Parents completed surveys and home activities utilizing the kits.  Teaching staff report that they have documented growth in rhyming concepts, and letter recognition.  Students can manage transitions and daily routines without upset.  Teachers have noticed students are asking and answering questions about stories read aloud.

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. But with more than 1.2 million children dropping out each year, America faces an education crisis. The cost? More than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes. These trends are reversible, but only when communities and public, private and nonprofit sectors work together.

Our Strategy

We can’t focus on high school alone. High school dropouts are 12 years in the making, usually starting early childhood education behind schedule. United Way's model focuses on supportive communities, effective schools and strong families — strategies and approaches rooted in research. Tackling the education challenge requires reframing education on a birth to 21 continuum.

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.

United Way Helps Make New Playground for Longfellow Park a Reality

OMG Book Awards

United Way Awards High School Scholarships 2019