Education

Why Invest in Education? 

 

Today, young Americans are less likely to earn a diploma than young people in other industrialized countries. Missing this milestone can have detrimental effects. High school graduation is the single most powerful predictor of whether a young person coming from generations of poverty will break the cycle. Roanoke Valley education statistics affirm that this issue needs to be a local priority. About 1 out of every 5 ninth-grade students will not graduate from high school on time and will be left behind his peers. This is why United Way is investing in strategies that increase access to affordable, quality childcare; increase public awareness and support for investing early; equip students to read and comprehend by third grade; connect students with help they need to stay in school; and equip parents to help children be ready for and to succeed in school.
Chris Morrill, Roanoke City Manager, talks about the importance of Education to the success of the Roanoke Valley!  

 

 

 

 

 

Education Gives Hope to the Rivers Family

 

“I have been a federal employee for 23 years and have lived in Roanoke for the past 3 years. I have 2 wonderful girls, Aalyiah is my baby, she is now 7, and Sarah is my oldest who has turned 18, getting ready to go to college. A United Way-funded after school program came into play at the time that my wife took ill and passed away. I was new in town and didn’t know where to turn for assistance. The program has kind of turned my younger daughter around…If I could put this into words, I would probably fall into tears. Just the idea of seeing my daughter go from losing a mother to making A’s in school is only because of the kind of things United Way stands for.

There really are people who care!”


- Kenneth Rivers with  daughters Aalyiah and Sarah 

 

To see  how your gifts make a difference in the Roanoke Valley, view our campaign video.

 

Check out these great resources to learn more about United Way's focus on Education! 

  

 

Get an in-depth look at the outcomes and strategies that make up our Community Action Plan for Education.

 

                      Visit the Common Good Forecaster to see how health, income and community involvement are impacted when Education outcomes improve.  

 

 

 

 

  

                      Click on the image to download a fact sheet on United Way's Education priorities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  United Way is a partner and supporter in the development of the City of Roanoke's Early Grade Reading Campaign. Learn more about the Campaign for Early Grade Reading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 For tips and tools to aid in early learning click on the image.