The cost of NOT educating children is high and lasts a lifetime
A child living in poverty who cannot read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade is more likely to fall behind, become frustrated with school, and drop out before graduating high school. High school drop-outs are more likely to engage in criminal behavior, require social service assistance and/or be employed in low-wage jobs thereby perpetuating a cycle of poverty. United Way changes the lives of children in low-income families by increasing access to high quality early childhood education, funding youth development and early intervention programs, and identifying strategies to keep older youth in school and on track to graduate.
