2010 Quarter 3: Talking Points

August Talking Points

Discussion Topics

• What UW is doing to support early literacy:  Across academic research, third-grade reading levels are considered a direct indicator of whether children will succeed in school and graduate on time. And yet, 43% of Massachusetts 3rd graders are reading below grade-level.  This year, the Anne E. Casey Foundation and Harvard University both released reports which stressed that that to counter low-literacy levels, literacy programs must begin before kindergarten and extend beyond the standard public school curriculum into early childhood centers, summer programs and other out-of-school-time programs.  With this in mind, United Way is leveraging a $250,000 grant from the EEC to head up a first-in-the-state collaboration between Massachusetts Public Schools, early care and education organizations, and afterschool programs, targeted at increasing literacy outcomes for children and youth in seven key school districts.  For children in participating in out-of-school-time programs, this means the integration of tested literacy curriculums, read-aloud programs with parents and literacy coaches.  (In August, there will be a few opportunities for donors to see these literacy sites in action-see below).
• What donors & volunteers can do to support early literacy:  Remember your favorite book from childhood?  United Way has teamed up with Borders to ensure that more children have new books of their own to take home and love. In addition, United Way is looking for literacy volunteers to read to children in United Way funded programs. We are seeking caring individuals who can dedicate a minimum of 1hr a week (plus some initial training) to work with children under the age of 5. Reading hours will take place Monday - Friday from 10-11 a.m.  Donate a book or learn more about volunteer opportunities at www.chooseyourimpact.org/literacy  and spread the word!! 
• Thank a UPS Driver Week:  This week marks a stunning milestone for one of our partner companies.  Over the past 28 years, since they first partnered with United Way, UPS has donated an unbelievable $1 billion to improve lives and communities across the country and internationally. They've also been a tremendous supporter locally (a few recent stories of their commitment). United Way Worldwide has declared August 2-6 "Thank a Driver Week."  Sign the e-card, leverage social media, and give a heartfelt thank you to any UPS driver you see. Learn more.
•  Financial Stability Center cited as a "promising practice": The United Way Financial Stability Center, powered by SPIN was highlighted in a report Achieving Financial Stability for Individuals and Families Through Integrated Service Delivery as a promising practice for helping families attain long-term financial stability (read more).

 Success Story

• In a quiet corner of the Gregg Neighborhood House in Lynn, a group of bright-eyed 8-12 year-olds are brimming to speak about subjects that they've grown passionate about: entrepreneurship, volunteerism, community activism, working on a business plan with young professionals from Boston and their very, very ambitious plans for the future. (Read more)

 Statistics on need:

• 43% of Massachusetts third graders are reading below grade-level. In Boston that figure is 69% (source)
• 67% of Lowell third graders are reading below grade-level.
• 66% of Lawrence third graders are reading below grade-level.
• 63% of Lynn third graders are reading below grade-level.
• 12.4% of Massachusetts children under the age of 6 are living below the poverty line (source)

United Way Results

• This year, United Way helped 96 out-of-school-time programs effectively connect with the schools in which their students are enrolled.
• After two weeks of running, the literacy drive has already brought in nearly 900 books for local children. The drive will run throughout august at Borders Bookstore in Downtown Crossing and at www.chooseyourimpact.org/literacy
• United Way expects to provide 2,400 children with quality literacy programs and coaches this summer through an innovative collaboration between Massachusetts Public Schools, early care and education organizations and afterschool programs (see first talking point).

Testimonial

"We're honored to have United Way's support not only for the mentoring opportunities this funding will create for youth in care, but also because of the prestige that United Way's backing brings to AFC," said Adoption and Foster Care Mentoring Executive Director Colby Berger. "United Way is well known for the rigor with which they evaluate potential grantees and AFC is proud to have earned their seal of approval."  Adoption and Foster Care Mentoring (AFC) is a new partner organization this year. 

Events 

August brings several opportunities to see our healthy child development work in action, particularly as it relates to helping children read on-track by third grade.  If you know of a donor who would like to take part in any of these literacy events, contact Lisa Pickard or Meghan Keaney Anderson for more information.

• August 4: Lawrence Literacy Program Site Tour with United Way president Mike Durkin and Superintendant of Lawrence Public Schools Mary Lou Bergeron. Tour will include a read-aloud section by children in the program (11 a.m.)
• August 9: Lowell Literacy Program Site Tour with EEC Commissioner Dr. Sherri Killins, and Jean M. Franco, Deputy Superintendant of Lowell (2:30 p.m.)
• Mid-August TBD: Dorchester Literacy Site Visit
• August 31: Countdown to Kindergarten Volunteer Opportunity -- Volunteers are needed on August 31, 2010 from 4-8p. To sign up email Ltolentino@supportunitedway.org with VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT: Countdown 2 Kindergarten 2010 Volunteer as the subject. In the body include the name, company, email address & phone number of the volunteer(s).
• All August: Early Childhood Book Drive --The Book Drive will run through the end of August. You can donate books by visiting the downtown crossing Borders or http://chooseyourimpact.org/literacy

July Talking Points

Discussion Topics

• The Boston Opportunity Agenda: Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson joined United Wayand other major funders this month to launch an unprecedented education partnership. Fueled by an initial $27 million investment, The Boston Opportunity Agenda will create a pipeline of resources which spana child's life by connecting early childhood care and education services, out-of-school time programs, and adult education under the same goals. Thrive in Five forms the foundation of the Boston Opportunity Agenda's focus on ensuring a solid educational foundation. Read more. 
• New Investment Cycle: July 1 marks the start of our next 3-year investment cycle. United Way will be investing more than $30 million into 160 organizations aimed at ensuring more children enter school ready to learn, more youth stay engaged in school and graduate able to compete and more families achieve financial stabilities.
• Talking points and an FAQ on this new investments can be found on the E Drive (E:\FY11 Investments - Communications)
• Of note, investments in Merrimack Valley have gone up by 32%
• Results from the last investment cycle and goals for FY2011 can be found at www.supportunitedway.org/investments
•  United Way wins $100,000 grant to provide local relief for Haiti Earthquake: This month, UWMBMV secured a $100,000 grant from UWW, which we will be investing to support emergency basic needs, provide grief counseling and provide job training for local Haitian community members who have been affected by the 2010 earthquake. News release to come. For more information, see Meghan or Carrie.
•  United Way and Jimmy Fund Team up: As part of a larger strategy to reduce tobacco use in communities that carry a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related cancers, United Way and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Jimmy Fund will award $317,500 over two years to five community-based organizations that will engage youth in tobacco control efforts. News release to come. For more information, see Chris O'Keefe.
•  United Way helps reduce youth violence through jobs: Through the partnership called the Youth Violence Prevention Funders Collaborative, United Way, the City of Boston, State Street and other foundations and nonprofits will be funding the creation of more than 400 new summer jobs and new summer school programs for at-risk youth. Read more (State Street, Bank of America, Liberty Mutual & John Hancock, all mentioned in the article).

Statistics on need (Boston Opportunity Agenda edition):

• Currently 54% of Boston children enter school with age appropriate literacy skills (By 2014, the Opportunity Agenda aims to raise that # to 75%)
• Only 10% of Boston Public Schools Algebra 1 students are achieving a B or above (By 2014, the Opportunity Agenda aims to raise that # to 80%)
• Currently, the four-year graduation rate for Boston Public Schools is 61% (By 2014, the Opportunity Agenda aims to raise that # to 80%)
• The annual dropout rate for BPS is 6.4 percent. (By 2014, the Opportunity Agenda aims to reduce that # to 3%)
• 35.5 percent of the BPS Class of 2000 completed an associates degree or higher. (By 2014, the Opportunity Agenda aims to make that 70%)

United Way Results

• This year, United Way helped 96 out-of-school-time programs effectively connect with the schools in which their students are enrolled.
• This year, United Way matched more than 7,000 youth with mentors
• Thrive in Five, a partnership to support school readiness launched by United Way and the City of Boston in 2007 has now become a cornerstone of the Opportunity Agenda.

Testimonials

"I think what attracted me to the Youth Venture program in general is that it's inspiring to see young people try to help their communities," said Kristen Johnson a Youth Venture Volunteer Advisor. "These girls from Malden [YMCA] were unbelievably smart and dedicated. Here are sophomores and juniors in high school that genuinely want to give back to their community. It's so exciting to see young people looking beyond the stuff most teenagers focus on."  - From the Malden Observer

"UTEC [funded through United Way's SEGL initiative] has give me so much help, including the opportunity to hold a part-time job and help plan events but also they have helped me build my resume and learn skills that I never thought I will be able to learn, such as team work, what it means to be a positive member of my community and a mentor for other teens like me." - Juan Catalano, participant in summer programming funded by United Way's SEGL initiative.

Events

• July 9: SEGL Grant awards at the Lowell City Hall.
• July 27: Women's Initiative educational event on Thrive in Five and Early Learning. Richard Weissbourd, leading expert on the achievement gap from The Harvard Graduate School of Education, will keynote.