Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and build the future they imagine for themselves. But across our community, too many children and youth face barriers that make it harder to succeed in school and beyond. At Greater Twin Cities United Way, we’re working alongside families, nonprofits and partners to expand opportunity at every stage of the educational journey — from early childhood to career readiness and beyond.
My name is Steven Walvig and I’m excited to share more about our work in education. As a program officer overseeing United Way’s education portfolio and an educator myself, this work is deeply personal to me. I believe education is one of the most powerful tools in building prosperity for all, but not every child in our community has the same opportunity to do well in school. In Minnesota, we are known for high-quality public education — placing at or near the top of many national rankings. But longstanding economic, racial and geographic inequities create barriers to student success.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. That’s why Greater Twin Cities United Way invests in programs that support individuals along their entire educational journey, from cradle to career.
We work to ensure families and caregivers can support children to be successful learners, children enter kindergarten ready to learn, and all youth have the skills to choose and direct their own future success. Many students face barriers to success outside of the classroom, including lack of access to food or housing, so our strategies aim to meet children and youth where they are and support the whole person’s academic, psychological and physical success.
Nutritious food, stable housing and healthy minds are essential for student success. Through the 211 resource helpline, we meet urgent needs by connecting parents and educators to resources to fulfill basic needs and find learning opportunities. Mental health continues to be a concern for students in Minnesota, with about one in five youth indicating they experience symptoms of depression. We respond to mental health crises through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — where one in 10 callers is a child younger than 15.
Our longstanding relationships with local nonprofits help stabilize the sector by providing the connections and support they need to stay strong and agile.
Through multiyear Community Investment partnerships, we provide flexible funding, free consulting and leadership support to nonprofits doing the most impactful work to support Twin Cities children and youth. We prioritize grants to organizations providing direct services and that have strong connections to the communities they serve.
Because we invest in nonprofits’ fair access to developmental opportunities (for example by bringing costly, hard-to-access trainings onsite), they are able to build staff capacity while maintaining their focus on direct services to youth.
There are more than 325,000 children (41%) in Minnesota who would be enrolled in an afterschool program if one was available and affordable. Greater Twin Cities United Way works every day to increase access to high-quality out-of-school programs that meet children’s developmental needs, so all students thrive.
We also lead innovation initiatives that bring together community partners, businesses and donors to develop scalable solutions to end our region’s ongoing educational inequities.
In support of educational success for all Minnesotans, we advocate at the state, local and national level for policy shifts and investments that increase access to affordable, trauma-sensitive, culturally responsive childcare and early-childhood education and ensure young people have the tools to graduate high school and are prepared to enter the workforce.
In March, we hosted Advocacy for Children Day at the Minnesota Capitol alongside our partners in early childhood education. More than 200 families, educators and community allies came together to ask legislators to prioritize Minnesota’s youngest citizens and their families. While security changes at the Capitol meant this year’s event looked different with fewer children present, the event was no less impactful.
Attendees heard from a variety of powerful voices united around a shared vision for early childhood education, family stability and child well-being. During the reception that followed, advocates were encouraged to write letters to their legislators, leave encouraging messages for early childcare professionals and connect with other supporters.
Lastly, did you know that each year, nearly two in five students in the Greater Twin Cities region goes back to school without the essential school supplies they need to succeed in the classroom? Families are resilient and resourceful. But our economy is putting pressure on them to do more with less. No one should have to choose between their child’s school supplies and paying a utility bill.
Action Day, presented by Target, is a community-wide effort to change that. Each year, volunteers and donors come together to provide backpacks filled with school supplies so students can start the year prepared. This summer we’re coming together to help 55,000 K-12 students return to school with backpacks full of school supplies so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Every child deserves the opportunity to pursue the future they dream of, which begins with their education. When students have everything they need to participate in their classrooms, they’re set up to be successful learners. School supplies are the foundation of academic achievement, belonging and classroom confidence.
Join Action Day to help local students unlock their full potential.
United is the way to educational success. None of our work in education would be possible without the support of donors, volunteers and advocates like you. Together, we’re helping children and youth in the Greater Twin Cities reach their full potential.
Here are a few ways you can support this work:
