National Impact
Source: United Way Worldwide
United Ways all over the world remove barriers and open opportunities so more people can thrive.
Building Academic Success and Brightening Futures in United Way Community Schools in the Greater Lehigh Valley, PA
At United Way Community Schools, student success is more than academics. It’s about helping children feel supported, connected and confident both inside and outside the classroom.
For 20 years, Community Schools have transformed schools throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley into neighborhood hubs where students and families can access resources, build relationships and gain the support they need to succeed in school and graduate ready for life, college or career. Today, the network serves nearly 20,000 students across 34 schools in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.
At Cheston Elementary School in the Easton Area School District, that support is helping students like Khloe strengthen academic skills, attend school more consistently and build confidence in the classroom.
Khloe, a fourth grader, says after-school programs helped her continue learning outside the classroom, while support from teachers and classmates helped build her confidence as a reader.
"I feel really confident because my reading scores went up a lot," Khloe said.
Today, she enjoys reading chapter books she once found challenging and dreams of one day becoming a lawyer so she can help others.
At the heart of the Community School model is a commitment to supporting the whole child. By building confidence, strengthening family connections and connecting students to resources and opportunities, Community Schools help children improve academically while developing the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
When you give to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, you help students feel seen, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Help create more opportunities so every future shines brighter. Give today.
Mighty Families: Finding Stability in Phoenix, Arizona When Everything Changed
For more than 100 years, Valley of the Sun United Way has worked across Phoenix, Arizona to help families build lasting stability.
One key effort is Mighty Families, an initiative supporting households with school-age children experiencing housing or financial instability. In Maricopa County, the program, delivered with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) and supported by partners like the Siemer Institute, provides coordinated services including housing stabilization, case management and financial capability resources.
For one Phoenix mother of three, that support came at a critical moment.
After receiving an eviction notice, her situation worsened when a family member who had been helping with rent unexpectedly moved out. Now responsible for the full payment, she quickly fell behind.
Through Mighty Families, a Community Resource Navigator guided her through the assistance process, helping stabilize her housing while connecting her to resources and a path forward. She stayed engaged, worked closely with her landlord and took proactive steps, including securing a second part-time job to strengthen her income.
With her determination and coordinated support, she was approved for rental assistance, preventing eviction.
The impact was immediate. She remained in her home, and her children stayed in their schools, preserving the stability essential to their well-being.
Across Phoenix, where many families face rising costs and financial uncertainty, stories like this show why Mighty Families matters by connecting families to support before short-term crises become long-term hardships.
Transforming Lives One Step at a Time in Southeast Louisiana
In St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, United Way of Southeast Louisiana works with local partners to help residents lead healthier and more stable lives.
For Abby, that support came at a critical time.
Struggling with food insecurity and chronic health issues, she felt lost without the resources she needed to survive. Everything began to change when she attended a health fair hosted by the Community Center of St. Bernard, a United Way funded partner serving the local community.
At the fair, Abby received essential health screenings and nutritional counseling that gave her the tools to take charge of her health. She was also connected to local healthcare providers who could offer ongoing care. Through this experience, she learned about the Food Pantry Program, a lifeline which now provides her with nutritious food tailored to her dietary needs.
The health fair became a turning point. It helped her address immediate concerns while building a support system to sustain her progress and improve her well-being over time.
Across St. Bernard Parish, United Way of Southeast Louisiana brings people together to create solutions that strengthen the community and expand access to care, education and financial stability.
Abby’s story, and countless others like her, is proof that United is the Way to a healthy life.