School leaders and counselors discuss how to support the needs of our local kids
United Way knows how important it is to come together and discuss big community problems – like when our local children don’t have access to the support services and resources they need to thrive.
On July 20, our Emerging Leaders program hosted an Education Impact Panel. These local experts discussed the issues, the successes, the impact, and the challenges that remain. Several schools across our community have started providing resources and services for child right at school. This has been a gamechanger for children in need. But growing the variety of services and expanding to more schools is needed. And this change starts with our community … it starts with each of us sharing in the belief that our kids deserve opportunities to succeed and then investing into the programs that make it possible.
Some Key Takeaways:
• What people perceive as “poverty” isn’t accurate. Give empathy and understanding regardless of what you think you know.
• Generational poverty is a persistent, real thing. Breaking the cycle of poverty is an uphill battle; but one worth fighting.
• Basic needs of students aren’t being met. 1 in 7 children in our community are in poverty, which may mean gaps in shelter, food, medicine, health care, etc.
• Educators are trained to help kids learn. However, the needs of children walking into school aren’t just learning … in fact, it’s hard to learn when you are hungry, or depressed, or sick.
• This is a community issue not just a family issue. It impacts us all.
Ways You Can Help:
• Have a mindset of curiosity not judgement.
• Look for ways to volunteer at your local schools.
• Create meaningful relationships so that students know their value.
• Be an advocate for children; share what you learn so others also can begin to understand the need.
• Invest in United Way of Cass-Clay to fund the coordinators that bring the services kids need right to their schools.
At United Way, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share in this important conversation with these community leaders. And we’ll continue to share and be the voices for our community’s children who need support and resources to succeed.
This fall we’ll continue to highlight this important work. We’ll be sharing stories of real, local children whose fear and despair is changing to hope and optimism as their needs are met and their futures are bright.
At United Way, we believe our community’s kids deserve to have the support they need to reach their full potential. We know you do, too!