Women United
Women United investors believe that every child deserves a strong, supported start. Since 2011, they have raised and invested almost $5.5 million in research-based strategies to strengthen childcare and early learning in the Quad Cities. These funds help families access quality care and support the education and retention of the childcare providers our community relies on.
Together, we provide:
When you join Women United, you support top-notch early learning programs and activities. Your donations ensure that children have safe, enriching learning environments and receive services that improve their health, well-being and development.
of Quad Cities students are reading proficiently by the end of third grade, a key factor in determining if they will graduate.
Quad Cities Education Data Exchange, 2021
Children from families with low income are almost 2X as likely to fall and stay behind in school as children from families with more income.
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
kids in the Quad Cities start kindergarten without the skills needed to succeed.
Quad Cities Education Data Exchange, 2021
The Ready by 5 program empowers parents and caregivers to support their child’s development and feel confident as they prepare for kindergarten. Through our Ready by 5 Engagement Workshops, we invest in families with the support of trained facilitators, generous donors, and dedicated volunteers. Because a child’s first five years lay the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing, helping children be “ready by 5” is one of the most important investments we can make.

The work we do as Women United is so important to ensuring the youngest members of our community have the resources necessary to be best prepared for Kindergarten, making those later milestones easier to achieve. At the same time, providing parents with the knowledge to teach their children at home prior to starting school.
Annette Parejko
Women United Chair
The work we do as Women United is so important to ensuring the youngest members of our community have the resources necessary to be best prepared for Kindergarten, making those later milestones easier to achieve. At the same time, providing parents with the knowledge to teach their children at home prior to starting school.
Women United is a community of caring women dedicated to improving the lives of our youngest Quad Citians. Our Founding Members were the visionaries who launched this movement—uniting around a shared belief that every child deserves access to quality early learning. Their leadership laid the foundation for lasting change, and their legacy continues to shape a stronger future for children across our region.
To learn more or partner with Women United, email Angela Snyder at asnyder@unitedwayqc.org or call 563.344.0340.
You can also sign up for our Women United newsletter for the latest up-to-date information!
1 in 5 kids in the Quad Cities lack kindergarten readiness, leading to potential struggles in third-grade reading and increased high school dropout rates. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected, get updates and play a role in shaping brighter futures for our QC kids.