Children and Families

Poor academic performance and poverty, as early as elementary school, are among the strongest school-related predictors that high school graduation is unlikely. United Way of Greater Cleveland has targeted for intervention high-risk 4th grade students in the Cleveland school district who have veered off course. Funded programs include adult-child mentoring programs and youth development that can provide the social, emotional, and educational scaffolding that will help these children improve their school performance, get on a path to a positive educational journey, and ultimately achieve high school graduation.

Specifically, we're funding programs that provide adult-child mentoring and youth development programs for 4th grade students in Cleveland and East Cleveland.

Our agencies are also providing basic education, and employment and GED preparation for youths ages 16-24 with a special emphasis on reaching teen parents, formerly incarcerated juveniles and young adults and youths aging out of foster care.

We're focused on providing increased support to youths ages 8-15 that will enable them to function effectively as adults, including youth development and mentoring programs that promote positive family interactions.

And, our programs help families with special needs children as well as parent education for young mothers who have aged out of foster care, or families where one or both parents have a serious behavioral health diagnosis.

FY 2010 Program Funding