UNITED WAY OF SKAGIT COUNTY

Through Early Learning there is compelling evidence that strong investments in the early years, prenatally through 3rd grade, have significant implications for ensuring all students graduate from school with the skills, knowledge and behaviors needed for any and all career and college pathways. United Way has contracted to provide an Early Learning coordinator for the county in cooperation with the Children's Council of Skagit County. The Early Learning Coordinator is responsible for providing leadership, coordination and/or management of early childhood programs, as well as providing technical assistance and training in the area of early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practices. This position also conducts site visitations and observations in preschools and child care settings, monitors project data and implementation of birth through age 8 programs, facilitates coalition building among county partners.

Through Financial Literacy and Financial Self-Sufficiency, evidence reveals that we learn more from education if it is experiential and relevant to our lives. This is why United Way of Skagit County is contracted with a consultant to provide a Financial Empowerment Peer-to-Peer program. Volunteer peer led financial education sessions are held with groups of low to moderate income (LMI) individuals/families throughout Skagit County. Graduates receive a Bank-On type certificate upon completion of the series and are provided with incentives along the way. Teams of peer leaders are trained to deliver financial education curriculum to groups of peers. Peer leaders guide peers on accessing community resources, serving as critical liaisons to financial institutions and other organizations providing financial education. Studies show that pairing financial education with other services, such as access to checking or savings accounts may yield greater results in terms of behavior change.

In cooperation with WorkSource and Foundation of District 304 we have partnered with local school districts to bring Youth United-Varsity in Volunteerism to the high schools. Students are awarded a varsity pin/letter for completing 100 hours of community service and attending trainings and meetings. Some of the many benefits participants receive are improved social and relationship skills, increase self-confidence, prevent depression, and teach valuable job skills.

Just as food banks are a dependable source of food, diaper banks supply a basic need for families in crisis. Diaper banks collect, store and donate diapers to a network of partner agencies who distribute free diapers to families facing financial hardship. The mission of the diaper bank is to ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers for their infants and toddlers; to raise community awareness that “basic human needs” include diapers.
The vision of the diaper bank is a two-generation approach that focuses on creating opportunities for meeting the needs of vulnerable children and their parents. Two-generation approaches draw from findings that the well-being of parents is crucial to their children’s social-emotional, physical, and economic well-being. At the same time, a parent’s ability to succeed in school and the workplace is substantially affected by how well their children are doing.

Grants awarded for local programs that align with United Way of Skagit County's Goal: By 2025, all Skagit children entering kindergarten are ready to learn.