These two issues for EDUCATION are community conditions that United Way of Southwest Michigan has chosen to address, based on expert and public knowledge. Click to view more about our 2025-2028 Agenda for Change and the other six issues.
Investing in education, particularly for students below the ALICE threshold, is essential to fostering their long-term financial stability.
A child's ability to read at grade level by third grade is crucial for future success, as it marks the transition from learning to read to reading to learn, impacting performance across all subjects. Students who struggle with reading are at risk of falling behind academically, making it harder to graduate from high school and find gainful employment.
High school graduation is a standard requirement for most jobs and higher education opportunities, and not completing high school is linked to limited employment prospects, low wages, and poverty.
Learn more about our impact in 2023-2024: United We Thrive
ISSUE: EARLY EDUCATION & LITERACY
INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 8,217
THE NEED:
59.5% of 3rd graders do NOT read proficiently
CHANGE LIVES OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES:
86.93% of Children increased their Reading Level
89.9% Children made progress toward or achieved developmental milestones
94.86% Parents and/or caregivers increased their knowledge of their children’s development
ORGANIZATIONS:
This type of investment includes programs that will lead to change in individuals.
BERRIEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT – NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
BERRIEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT – TRIPLE P (POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM)
BERRIEN RESA – PARENTS AS TEACHERS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BENTON HARBOR – A TUTORING CORPS FOR GREAT FUTURES
CAMP FIRE RIVER BEND, INC. – CAMP FIRE AFTER SCHOOL
GREAT START COLLABORATIVE OF BERRIEN COUNTY - SUMMER LITERACY PROGRAM
HERITAGE SOUTHWEST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT – PARENTS AS TEACHERS
LOGAN COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INC. – FAMILY SUPPORT FOR AUTISM THERAPY
REGION IV AREA AGENCY ON AGING – FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM
THE SALVATION ARMY, NILES CORPS – FEEDING HIS SHEEP
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN - SCHOOL SUPPLY SPECTACULAR
YMCA OF GREATER MICHIANA – SUMMER MY WAY
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Great Start Collaborative of Berrien County
United Way of Southwest Michigan
ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES:
Advocacy Success! – Great Start Readiness Program Expanded Funding
Voter Engagement
Become a UWSM Advocate
ISSUE: POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS
INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 1,012
THE NEED:
79.9% - 2023 regional high school graduation rate average
CHANGE LIVES OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES:
83.54% of Students served were working towards post-secondary education or credentials
90.46% of Students served developed soft skills
11.51% of Students Served gained post-secondary education or credentials
100% of Students Served graduated high school on time.
ORGANIZATIONS:
This type of investment includes programs that will lead to change in individuals.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SOUTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN REGION – THE LOWER WEST MICHIGAN YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM
KINEXUS GROUP – YOUTHBUILD
LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE – START TO FINISH
SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE – MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR SUCCESS
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN - SCHOOL SUPPLY SPECTACULAR
YOUTH SOLUTIONS – JOBS FOR MICHIGAN’S GRADUATES & YOUTH SOLUTIONS DIGITAL
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region
Kinexus Group
ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES:
Career & Technical Education
Michigan Reconnect
College Access Advocacy Day (April)
Voter Engagement
Become a UWSM Advocate
DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library brings books to children's homes. From birth until they turn five years old, children enrolled in the program will receive a new, age-appropriate book mailed to their home each month. By the time they enter kindergarten, children will have their own library of books and be more prepared to enter school and become readers.
For more information, or to sponsor a child, CLICK HERE.