Creating Bright Futures
We are committed to fostering a better tomorrow for all by supporting local partners that provide essential programs for children in the Story County community.
This includes helping parents with resources and workshops, delivering engaging out-of-school experiences like camps and enrichment activities, and utilizing proven intervention strategies to support at-risk children. We equip community members with tools to address important issues and recognize the vital role of volunteers in mentoring programs and summer learning initiatives.
Our efforts not only uplift families in our community but have also garnered recognition from the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading for several years.
Youth Opportunity in Story County
We aim to create opportunities for youth by making sure all children are prepared for school and achieve their third-grade reading goals. By working together with local organizations, we hope to pave the way for every child in Story County to succeed academically.
NOTE: Data from 2019 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess reading proficiency in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.
Reading proficiency, especially at the third grade level, is lower than average
- 31.7% of third graders are not proficient
- 15.3% of eighth graders are not proficient
- 20.1% of eleventh graders are not proficient
Offer extra learning opportunities beyond the classroom
- Address child and family basic needs
- Foster child development
- Involve the community to increase wrap around supports
23.8% of students improved their reading level
- 737 students participated in summer enrichment programs
- 310,394 reading minutes logged in out-of-school programs (school year & summer)
- 932 volunteers logged 37,361 hours for children’s programs
We are here to help all kids get ready for kindergarten by offering programs and resources that support early learning. Our goal is to make sure every child in Story County has the skills they need to succeed in school.
NOTE: Data from 2019 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess school readiness in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.
23.6% of kindergarteners are below fall benchmark levels for early universal literacy screening measures
- 8% of Story County newborns face 3 or more cumulative birth risks
- 19% of students are not enrolled in preschool in the year before entering kindergarten
- 13.4% of students under 5 living in poverty
Help children and parents nurture a love for learning during early childhood development
- Address child and family basic needs
- Foster child development
- Provide resources and supports to families and caregivers that strengthen interactions and promote early learning in a home environment
- Increase capacity of high-quality childcare in Story County
221 children enrolled in high-quality early childhood education programs
- 93% of children ages 0-5 met or exceeded widely held child development expectations
- 67 caregivers were provided with information, training, tools, and resources
- 74 new childcare slots were opened
Our Local Investments & Initiatives
Golf Fore Kids
Our annual Golf Fore Kids event brings together community members for a day of fun and fundraising on the golf course. Proceeds from the event go to grants for local non-profits that support programs aimed at helping children and families in need.
Iowa Reading Corps
UWSC invests in AmeriCorps members to be recruited and trained to implement the Iowa Reading Corps program in Story County elementary schools. AmeriCorps members are delivering research-based tutoring and literacy interventions to struggling readers in kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Story County Reads
Story County Reads is a multi-sector coalition which brings together partner agencies and community stakeholders with the goals that all youth in Story County are ready for school and can read at or above grade level by the end of third grade.
We are a part of the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading and follow the model of the national work in four priority areas: school readiness, attendance, out-of-school learning, and grade-level reading.
Out of School Learning
Learning loss happens during months when students are not in school, most notably from June to August, but its effects can last throughout the year. United Way of Story County collaborates with various organizations to provide community and school-based programs that address the unique needs of our youth, ensuring they have the support needed to achieve their academic goals.
Partner Agencies
Program Indicators
Youth Opportunity Indicator #1
Children enter school developmentally on track - LEARN MORE
Youth Opportunity Indicator #2
Children exit third grade reading at grade level - LEARN MORE
Youth Opportunity Indicator #3
Learners develop the skills needed for life and career, including but not limited to civic literacy, employability skills, financial literacy, and health literacy - LEARN MORE