WATERLOO, IA—Cedar Valley United Way is investing $316,192 into improving education in the community for 2014-2015. In addition to the education grants, funding will also be distributed to programs working to improve income and health in the Cedar Valley.
“Cedar Valley United Way is investing so kids enter kindergarten ready to learn, can transition through grades successfully, graduate from high school and be prepared for postsecondary success,” said Sheila Baird, Cedar Valley United Way president.
According to the Iowa Department of Education, the high school graduation rate in Black Hawk County is 82.4% compared to 87.9% for the state of Iowa.
“Nearly one out of every five students in our community does not graduate – that is 208 high school seniors in our community who did not receive a diploma in 2013,” said Cynthia Bottrell, dean of the School of Math, Natural and Social Sciences at Hawkeye Community College and chair of the community impact team for education. “We think this trend can and should change.”
Grant applications were reviewed by a community impact team of volunteers in each of the focus areas of education, income and health. Programs were evaluated on their program descriptions, measurements, collaboration and effective use of budgeting.
“The volunteers on our community impact teams were very committed to distributing the funds of United Way contributors that will make the greatest impact in the Cedar Valley,” said Baird.
The money invested is being distributed to programs in the following target areas:
Academic Achievement
- $30,000 to the Great Futures Start Here program at Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley
- $6,300 for scholarships at Cedar Valley Preschool and Child Care Center
- $17,080 to fund school field trips to Hartman Reserve
- $54,000 to general childcare service support at Grin and Grow
- $10,000 to the Primetime Reading Buddy program through RSVP
- $30,000 to Success Link
- $4,800 to the Summer Camp Reading Program at the Family YMCA of Black Hawk County
Connection to Work
- $42,904 to the Family Literacy program at Hawkeye Community College
- $5,720 to provide Women-to-Women Career Mentoring under Cedar Valley United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Connection.
- $10,000 to House of Hope
- $19,850 to Empowering Families for Economic Success (Parent Cafe) at Community Partnership Protecting Children/Hub
Productive and Engaged Youth
- $45,000 for one-to-one youth mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
- $25,538 for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois outreach program
- $15,000 for service learning through Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley
In addition, the community impact team of volunteers set aside $20,000 to invest in programs that will look to directly address the reading proficiency of students in the Cedar Valley.
According to the Iowa Department of Education, only 67.5% of 4th graders in Black Hawk County were proficient in reading in 2013.
“Fourth grade reading levels have a direct link with future graduation rates,” said Bottrell. “We want a community that has children prepared to succeed in life. We are looking to find programs that will target reading proficiency to provide kids with the basic reading skills needed to achieve that success.”
Money from these grants was raised as part of the 2013 annual campaign with donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals. In addition to the education grants, funding will also be distributed to programs working to improve income and health in the Cedar Valley.
Cedar Valley United Way is committed to leveraging resources including financial contributions, community expertise, in-kind contributions and partnerships to fuel impact here in our community. Their focus is to improve and promote education, income and health within the Cedar Valley. For more information about Cedar Valley United Way and how you can give, visit www.cedarvalleyunitedway.org.
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