Youth Development

United Way strives to build partnerships and support organizations that provide school-age children and young people with high-quality out-of-school time opportunities that help them  reach the academic and developmental milestones that ultimately lead to success in their college/workforce training, career, and life. That's how we LIVE UNITED.

Youth development programs are opportunities and/or services that engages youth in a variety of social, emotional, educational, and recreational activities to promote improvements to their intellectual, behavioral, and physical well-being, consistent with a youth-focused approach.

Our Youth Development Collective Community Impact work engages children and youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a productive and constructive way. United Way and our partners recognize, utilize, and enhance our local youths’ strengths. We promote positive outcomes by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their strengths.

Our local youth development programs help our community's school-age children and young people: 

– Avoid drugs, tobacco and alcohol
– Increase school attendance
– Improve grades and test scores
– Increase job readiness
– Decrease school discipline problems
– Have increased leadership skills
– Improve communication and decision-making skills
– Have knowledge and understand the consequences of sexual activity
– Increase their computer and technology skills
– Decrease delinquent behaviors
– Avoid school suspension
– Have increased comfort with diversity
– Attend college
– Become productive citizens