Graduation season is a time of great hope. Cheering for loved ones as they take the stage with heads held high to accept their diplomas. Eyes well up with pride, and the smiles are contagious.
As we celebrate our next generation entering new chapters in life, we can’t help but appreciate the amount of time and care that goes into helping our youngest reach this milestone.
Parents and grandparents; aunts and uncles; neighbors and teachers. We all play a crucial part in shaping a child’s journey. And, when we do it right, the kids we taught, encouraged and cared for graduate with all the skills they need to enter college, career or military service.
At United Way, we’re leading a movement to improve access to education, income and health — the building blocks of opportunity. By focusing on these interconnected areas, we activate a clear path for students to reach economic mobility.
But, what are the interconnected milestones, and how does United Way use data-driven insights to keep more kids on the path to lives of wise leadership? Let’s talk about our cradle to career approach to our partnerships, programs and investments that create opportunity for more of our neighbors.
Cradle to Career
At United Way, our success means more students are graduating high school prepared for their success.
We know that preparing students for success starts early. Kids who enter kindergarten ready to learn are more likely to be “reading to learn” by third grade. Reading is key to their success – those who read more proficiently are more likely to graduate from high school ready for college, career and living wage jobs.
Here’s how early investments in our youngest create a ripple effect of greater opportunity:
- CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE PRE-K EDUCATION are 2x more likely to succeed in kindergarten and read proficiently by third grade.
- STUDENTS WHO ARE PROFICIENT IN READING BY THIRD GRADE are 5X more likely to graduate from high school ready for college or career.
- STUDENTS WHO ARE PROFICIENT IN ADVANCED MATH BY EIGHTH GRADE are better problem solvers in real-life and more likely to attend college and earn postsecondary credentials.
- STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE PREPARED FOR COLLEGE OR A CAREER are 1.5x more likely to achieve postsecondary success.
- STUDENTS WHO GAIN PATHWAYS TO POSTSECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES such as career credentials are 2x more likely to earn a living wage.
- YOUNG ADULTS WHO EARN A LIVING WAGE are 2x more likely to increase their children's income trajectory at birth, as they start families.
While COVID and other challenges have been a setback for kids, we stay laser focused on solutions that achieve real results for our kids. We do this with relentless focus on our benchmarks.
Vision With Results
Talk is great. But, what about the results? United Way investments target where we’ll have the greatest impact. We’re about solving the biggest problems facing our community, and sharing how we’ve moved the needle thanks to our growing network of supporters.
Here are just a few areas of how, together, we changed young lives just this past year.
- 86% of children whose parents participated in United Way’s kindergarten readiness programming started school with the necessary skills.
- 92% of students who participated in our reading programming have improved their literacy skills.
- 5,620 students students increased their awareness in career pathways that aligned with their interests because of United Way investments.
You’re the driving force behind these life-changing results. Your support equips the next generation with the skills to thrive from cradle to career and beyond. As we celebrate our graduates donning caps and gowns, let’s reaffirm our commitment to surround all students with evidence-based solutions and a robust community rallying for their success. When our young people rise, we all rise together.
Not already a United Way supporter? Join our movement by making a generous gift of any amount.
When our young people rise, we all rise together. Congratulations to our graduating class of 2024!
