Early Childhood Education
United Way is increasing the number of children who enter school ready to succeed. To do this, we invest in programs that provide quality early childcare, help children meet developmental milestones, increase positive parenting skills for parents and caregivers.
Our Impact
Of the children who participated in United Way-funded early childhood education programs:
- 89% displayed developmental improvement in communication skills
- 88% displayed developmental improvement in social/emotional skills
- 87% displayed developmental improvement in cognitive skills
- 95% displayed developmental improvement in motor skills
- 59% displayed developmental improvement in literacy skills
- 87% cooperated with other children
Of the parents/caregivers who participated in United Way-funded early childhood education programs:
- 93% learned positive ways to deal with stress
- 94% had improved overall health
- 92% had decreased stress levels
- 94% learned more positive caregiving/parenting skills
- 98% improved their emotional/bonding relationship with their child(ren)
- 95% improved communication with their child(ren)
- 95% improved their physical relationship with their child(ren)
- 93% were better able to control their anger
- 94% improved positive interactions with family and friends
Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships
- MKE Civic Action Team: Early Childhood
Strengthening Families
United Way is supporting success within the family unit and improving cognitive, social, and or physical skills among children. To do this, we invest in programs that provide support to parents/caregivers, prevent family violence, and improve behavior among children.
Initiatives We Lead
Book Fairs - Builds strong readers by providing free books and family engagement activities at 17 Milwaukee & Waukesha schools.
Our Impact
Of the children who participated in United Way-funded support for children and families programs:
- 86% cooperated with other children
- 86% maintained appropriate behavior or improved their behavior
- 89% displayed developmental improvement in social/emotional skills
- 92% displayed developmental improvement in motor skills
- 88% displayed developmental improvement in literacy skills
- 89% displayed developmental improvement in communication skills
- 90% displayed developmental improvement in cognitive skills
Of the parents/caregivers who participated in United Way-funded support for children and families programs:
- 98% improved communication with their children
- 97% improved their physical relationship with their children
- 97% improved their emotional/bonding relationship with their children
- 94% learned positive ways to deal with stress
- 91% decreased their stress
- 97% learned more positive caregiving/parenting skills
- 98% used the skills they learned from the program
- 97% were able to control their anger
- 95% increased their positive interactions with family and friends
- 92% increased their overall health
Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships
Youth Development
United Way is increasing the number of children who: read proficiently by third grade, are on track to advance to the next grade level, develop resistance skills, increase school engagement, have goals and aspirations, graduate high school on time, and are prepared for success in college, work, and life.
Initiatives We Lead
Helping Kids Succeed - Waukesha Supports educators, increases student achievement, and enhances family stability and empowerment in the School District of Waukesha's highest-need schools.
Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership - Transforms schools and communities to collectively ensure student success.
Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington (WOW) Counties Partnership Schools - Allows for deeper investment in select schools with a higher than community average number of students and families living at or below the poverty line. Working directly with school staff to support the specific needs of that school.
Our Impact
Of the children ages 6-11 who participated in United Way-funded youth development programs:
- 96% have goals and plans for the future
- 93% have plans for the next year
- 97% tried their best in school
- 93% finished their homework on time
- 96% went to school each day (unless they were sick)
- 96% improved on believing that it matters to do well in school
- 97% improved on being on track to go to the next grade level
- 95% improved on believing they could make a difference in their community
Of the children ages 12 and older who participated in United Way-funded youth development programs:
- 93% improved on trying to do their best in school
- 81% improved on completing their homework on time
- 87% improved on attending school each day (unless they were sick)
- 89% improved on understanding why it is important to perform well in school
- 86% improved on setting goals and plans for the future
- 87% improved on planning to go to college or some other school after graduation
- 90% improved on being on track to graduate from high school
- 84% believed they could make a difference in their community
- 85% volunteered in their community
- 86% were able to resist pressure from others who try to get them to do things they don’t want to do
Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships