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Childhood Success

ENSURING A BETTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN

At United Way, we believe that all children should have safe, quality care and education so they can learn, grow, and thrive.

This year we will help more than 5,000 children have brighter futures through quality care and education.

All parents want the best for their children. Unfortunately, struggling families often have difficulty affording safe, quality care for their children. For parents of children under the age of 5, the costs are particularly burdensome. Licensed care for a child in this age range can surpass the cost of tuition at a Connecticut public college, exceeding $15,000 per year.

Once children are in school, the after-school hours can be a danger zone. Lack of supervision can lead to dangerous screen time or experimentation with drugs, alcohol, and sex. But after-school and enrichment activities may be unaffordable for struggling families. In fact, only 44% of children in lower-income families participate in sports, compared to 69% for children whose parents make over $100,000 per year.

Like you, we think all children deserve the care and education that helps them be the best they can be, from cradle to career.

 

OUR SOLUTION

By making quality care and education more affordable for struggling families, we’ll ensure a brighter future for children, regardless of their family’s income. Here’s what we’re doing:

  • Subsidizing infant and toddler care to make it more affordable at licensed childcare centers.
  • Expanding the number of licensed family childcare providers in Danbury.
  • Subsidizing after-school care to make it more affordable for children ages 5 through 18.
  • Covering the costs of after-school enrichment activities, such as sports, music, theater, and art lessons, for children in low-income families.
  • Supporting collective impact initiatives that focus on supporting children from cradle to career.
     

 

HOW WE’RE DOING SO FAR

$1.6 million invested in child and youth success in 2018

4,338 children received early care and after-school care subsidies in 2018

820 children participated in enrichment activities since 2017

 

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

By bringing together community partners, we allow parents to have a choice in the type of care and education they think is best for their child, while ensuring that all children are safe and well cared for:

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FUND
By providing subsidies to licensed care providers in the communities we serve, we enable children in low-income families to have the types of early care experiences that otherwise might be out of financial reach for their parents. >>Learn more

AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION FUND
By providing subsidies to licensed after-school providers in the communities we serve, we open doors to quality after-school care, keeping children out of trouble and preventing too much screen time. >>Learn more

CORA’S KIDS
This innovative initiative is expanding the number of licensed, home childcare providers in Danbury so parents of infants and toddlers have more safe affordable options. >>Learn more

ALICE ENRICHMENT FUND
United Way funds out-of-school activities for low-income children, who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play sports, learn a musical instrument, or participate in the arts. >>Learn More

STAMFORD CRADLE TO CAREER
This collective impact initiative brings together more than 60 organizations and more than 70 community leaders to ensure the educational success of all Stamford children. >>Learn more

YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS
Provides exceptional volunteering experiences for youth ages 11 to 18. >>Learn More