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What's at the heart of a healthy community? Bright thriving children...
Within this impact area, we have three goals:
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Children and families in crisis will be stronger, safer and more stable
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Children ages 0 to 5 will be healthy, ready and eager to learn when they enter school
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Youth ages 6 to 18 will have the academic, job and social skills necessary to succeed
The need
Programs that improve lives
The programs we support for children, youth and families offer education, counseling, training, access to safe shelters, support services for those who are graduating from Miami-Dade’s foster care system and classes to help stabilize families who have experienced crises. For children ages 0 to 5, we support programs that provide access to quality early care centers throughout Miami-Dade and training for parents and guardians in addition to health screenings, nutrition and immunization services. Youth programs offer enriching after-school activities, adult and peer mentoring activities, support services for gay youth, along with job training, internships and career placement for low-income youth.
How we’re helping
Research shows that children who attend high quality early childhood learning programs enter school better prepared to learn. Yet, less than 8% of childcare centers nationally, and 12.6% in Miami-Dade, are National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE) or otherwise accredited. So we’re doing something about it. We have brought together childcare experts, businesspeople, government and community leaders to develop the forthcoming United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education. Currently under construction, it will be a world-class national best practices resource center committed to elevating the quality of childcare in our community and beyond.
Click here to find out how the community plan is helping kids and families lead successful lives.
Click here to find out about programs for children, youth and families. |
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Meet Debbie
At age 11, Debbie and her three siblings were removed from their home. Unfortunately, their story is not too uncommon; last year, there were more than 14,000 reports of child neglect and abuse in Miami-Dade.
Debbie was lucky though – her grandfather, Joaquin, took custody of her and her three siblings. She also met Cathy through a United Way funded mentoring program.
She went from a 5th grader with poor attendance in school and no drive to learn to a college-bound young adult, determined to make a difference in the world. Last year, Debbie was the Student Government President for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and also served as the student representative on United Way’s board. Cathy taught Debbie to reach for the stars; “it’s not about how you start, it’s about where you’ll finish,” Cathy would tell her. And, if you ask Cathy, she’ll tell you that Debbie has come a long way since they first met. This fall, Debbie is off to the University of Miami, where she will study sociology.
Cathy was also a huge help to Debbie’s grandfather who was in his 60s when he took legal custody of her and her siblings. Overwhelmed with his new parenting responsibilities, he worked two jobs so that he could provide for them. Joaquin will tell you that Cathy was like a mom to Debbie. A proud grandfather, Joaquin is thrilled that Debbie is off to UM and grateful to Cathy for her positive influence.
It’s a fact: teens with positive role models tend to avoid drugs, alcohol and trouble, and have an easier time succeeding in school and in life. She and other kids who need mentors are getting the help they need because you or someone like you gave to United Way.
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