Pathways to Living Wage Careers

For decades, communities have invested in helping children succeed in school. United Way Quad Cities and its partners are testing a different idea: helping parents achieve greater financial stability may be one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes for children. 

That idea is the foundation of Pathways to Living Wage Careers, a new regional pilot launched by United Way Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Black Hawk College and the Arconic Foundation. Backed by more than $150,000 in initial funding, the initiative will remove barriers that often prevent working parents from completing education and workforce training leading to living-wage careers. 

The pilot will initially serve parents and caregivers connected to United for Schools, United Way Quad Cities’ school-based initiative operating in six Title I schools across four districts. Three years of work alongside educators, counselors and families revealed a consistent pattern: financial instability at home often becomes a barrier to success in the classroom. 

“Children don’t leave family circumstances at the school door,” said Rene Gellerman, president and CEO of United Way Quad Cities. “Over time, we realized that if we want more children to succeed in school, we also have to reduce the barriers creating instability for the adults raising them. Student success and family financial security aren’t separate challenges—they’re deeply connected.” 

Nearly 30% of Quad Cities households are not earning a living wage, even as employers continue to struggle filling high-demand positions requiring postsecondary credentials. Rather than treating those as separate issues, Pathways to Living Wage Careers is designed to address both. 

The initiative builds on recommendations from the Grow Quad Cities’ Top 100 High Priority Jobs Report by connecting participants with education leading to industry-recognized credentials in nursing, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. 

“We’ve got great people in the Quad Cities who are willing to put in the work, they just need the opportunity,” says Jeff Weida, Vice President and Plant Manager, Arconic Davenport Works. “This program helps create that opportunity by giving parents the support they need to gain new skills, build a career, and create more stability for their families. That’s an investment worth making.” 

Unlike traditional scholarship programs, Pathways focuses on the practical barriers that often prevent adults from completing a credential—not tuition, but childcare, transportation, emergency expenses and the inability to miss a paycheck while attending school.  

Recent data from an EICC 2025 Student Financial Wellness Survey showed 52% of students worry about having enough money to cover monthly expenses, and 63% say they would have difficulty accessing $500 in an emergency. 

“Parents entering this program already have the drive, talent, and experience to move forward,” said Ann Lawler, president of EICC’s Scott campus.  

“This partnership gives them a clear path to build skills, earn a credential, and increase their earning power. At EICC, they’ll find practical training and support to help them keep going and finish strong,” Lawler added.  

Participants will receive individualized coaching and flexible financial assistance designed to remove those barriers, complete training and transition into living-wage careers that strengthen both family stability and the regional workforce. 

“At Black Hawk College, we know that many hardworking parents have the talent and drive to build solid and promising futures for themselves and their families, but practical life barriers can stand in the way at times,” said Chris M. Snoddy, Vice President for Student Services. “My parents experienced some barriers. I have experienced some barriers. I am sure we all know someone who has experienced some barriers. This partnership provides the education and support students need to complete a credential, enter a good living-wage career, and create greater stability for their families and overcome those barriers.” 

The partnership brings together education, philanthropy, workforce development and community organizations around a shared goal that no single organization could accomplish alone.