Every day, many children walk through the school door burdened with problems of poverty, discrimination, substance abuse, domestic instability, and illiteracy, to name a few. These problems are barriers that make it difficult for children to learn effectively. A child cannot learn if he or she is hungry or has no safe place to sleep.

It is the responsibility of the community to assist in addressing these social barriers so students can have a positive academic experience. United Way is not involved in the 8 hours that children are in school – rather, we work to support them through the 18 hours of out-of-school time.