United Way of Central Georgia's commitment to disrupting the cycle of family poverty starts at birth. Children born into poverty have greater odds of not being ready for school than children not born into poverty. Our Parents as Teachers program enrolls families from the beginning of pregnancy until the child enters kindergarten. Over 500 families were served this past year through one of our birth-eight initiatives.
Read United is United Way of Central Georgia's comprehensive literacy program that combines school-based tutoring with a structured tutoring model built on volunteerism.
Dr. Sherri Flagg became involved in UWCG's Read United program as a volunteer. "Giving back to my community was important to me, so when I heard about the opportunity to help my former elementary school, L.H. Williams, I leaped at the chance to give back to others," said Dr. Flagg.
What is the connection between reading at grade level by 3rd grade and graduating high school? Reading proficiency by third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation and career success. It is estimated that two-thirds of Georgia's third-graders are not reading at grade level. Children who can't read proficiently by 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out of high school. As part of our efforts to disrupt the cycle of family poverty in Central Georgia, reading plays a key role.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, & represents the growing number of working families who struggle to afford the basics:housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology.
What is a Community School? We get asked this question often. A Community School serves as a hub for the community by providing a rigorous and relevant educational program that is integrated with family and community involvement. Currently, there are about 5,000 community schools in the United States, and a study indicated that every dollar invested in community schools provides an additional $12-$15 in social benefit. For a community school to succeed, it requires many complex partnerships and strategic planning.
Kids with an involved father are twice as likely to go to college and find stable employment after high school. Fathers are a vital part of breaking the cycle of family poverty in our community. UWCG's Parents as Teachers program celebrated the important role fathers play in their children's lives by hosting a Father's Day Celebration for the families in the program on Monday, June 13th.
Governor Brian P. Kemp announced on Monday, May 16, 2022, that more than $415 million will be awarded from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, a part of the American Rescue Plan to help Georgians, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy and the Get Georgia Reading Campaign recently released its 2022 Collective Impact Grant initiative awardees. The Basics, a program of United Way of Central Georgia, was awarded $10,000 to continue its mission of bolstering brain development for children from birth to age 3.