United Way Launches New Focus:
Agenda for Lasting Change
Feb. 18, 2008
Greater Twin Cities United Way is further redefining its work in the most critical issues facing the social and economic well-being of our region. In the final phase of the Agenda for Lasting Change, United Way is launching the Nurturing Children and Families Plan. The plan focuses on three key issues that impact the success of children and families living at or below 200 percent of the poverty level — which translates to about $41,000 or less for a family of four. The issues include low-income children not reading at grade level, victims of domestic violence not accessing services, and engaging children in quality out-of-school time.
United Way volunteers and staff, with input from clients, donors and human service experts, determined changes that will take place in the nine counties that are in United Way’s service area. "The focus we’re striving for has led us to examine which of our partner agencies’ programs aligned with our goals and which ones did not, along with prioritizing our funding based on our strategic plan," said Lauren Segal, United Way president and CEO. "Change is never easy, and we had to make some tough decisions. However, this sharper focus allows United Way the best possible chance to meet the most pressing community needs.”
The three Children and Families goals:
- Increase numbers of domestic violence victims accessing services
- Increase the percentage of students from low-income families reading at grade level by the end of third grade by 2012
- Increase the number of youth — with emphasis on grades six through eight — participating in quality out-of-school time programs
“To have a child reach third grade and not be able to read at grade level is not acceptable," said Segal. "We also can’t afford to have our young people, once school lets out for the day, not have access to programs that may improve their classroom performance or enhance their lives, and it is certainly not acceptable to have victims of domestic violence not access services that may be available to them."
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