EDUCATION: Successful Kids Vision Council

United Way's "Education" focus area funds a variety of programs that ensure that children are successful in school. Programs range from offerings to pre-school children and their parents, to middle- and high-school-age youth, with an emphasis on improving high school completion rates.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT GRANTS

Three-year grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 each year

Adelante Mujeres                                          Adelante Chicas

 

Collaborating Partners:		Bienestar, Forest Grove School District
Target Population:		Low-income Latina girls and their families in Washington County
Counties:		Washington

           
Provides girls age 9-18 with empowerment, academic engagement and community leadership training. Activities include afterschool academic support, volunteer and leadership opportunities, home visits, family events and parent involvement to support girls in their success.

 

Arc of Clark County                                       Parents Receiving Intensive                                                                      Developmental Education (PRIDE)

 

Collaborating Partners:		Clark County Parent Coalition, Southwest Washington Parent-to-Parent, Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation
Target Population:		Parents and children with developmental disabilities in Clark County
Counties:		Clark

                     
Provides whole family support and peer-to-peer parent coaching to gain competence in navigating services, improve parents' advocacy in the school setting, address child care challenges, and provide access to therapeutic settings designed to improve child development.

 

Black Parent Initiative                                Parent University

 

Collaborating Partners:		Mercy Corps Northwest, Concordia University, Multnomah County Health Department, State Farm Insurance
Target Population:		African American parents and caregivers
Counties:		Multnomah

            
Provides comprehensive parent-centered coaching and classes designed to promote
family health and cultural identity and to increase financial literacy and opportunity to
support children's development and school success.

Hacienda CDC                                        Vamos & Expresiones: Latino & Somali

 

Collaborating Partners:		Boy Scouts, Portland Audubon Society, Verde, Northwest Family Services, IRCO/ Africa House, OSU Extension Service
Target Population:		Latino and Somali youth and their parents or caregivers
Counties:		Multnomah, Clackamas

Provides after school supports to Latino and Somali youth currently living in Hacienda’s low-income housing in Portland and Molalla. Activities include academic support, cultural activities, community engagement, parent involvement and personal outreach to families.

Human Solutions                                           Resident Services Project

 

Collaborating Partners:		YWCA of Greater Portland, My Story Photography, David Douglas School District
Target Population:		Immigrant and refugee families living in affordable housing complexes (Somali and Russian)
Counties:		Multnomah

Provides culturally specific services to immigrant and refugee families to enhance the
success of their children through increased family stability and family connection to
schools and community. Activities involve parents and youth in homework help,
literacy, finance education, family events, LearnLinks and parent/teacher conferences.

Native American Youth & Family Center            Native Student Literacy Project

 

Collaborating Partners:		Paragon Educational Network, Native Wellness Institute
Target Population:		Native American middle and high school students
Counties:		Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Clark

                    
Provides culturally specific literacy and social skills to Native American middle/high
school age youth to increase literacy, reduce disciplinary referrals and increase high
school completion. 

 

Neighborhood House, Inc.                        Community Approaches to Building                                                                  School Success

 

Collaborating Partners:		Somali Community Services
Target Population:		Refugee and immigrant families (Somali, Latino, Middle Eastern), as well as low-income cultural, ethnic and tribal groups (Native American, Alaska Native, African-American, etc.)
Counties:		Multnomah, Washington

                 
Provides kindergarten readiness and school transition services to young children, parent education and involvement, and cultural competency training for school personnel. Activities include parent-child interactions and reading groups, K-readiness workshops, family-school events, cultural competency conference, ESL classes for adults and Somali parent group. 

 

Self-Enhancement Inc                                Youth Potential Realized

 

Collaborating Partners:		Jefferson High School, Portland Community College Cascade Campus
Target Population:		Underserved inner-city youth and families, primarily African- American
Counties:		Multnomah

Provides culturally specific academic support, college prep, career exploration, enrichment and mentoring in-school, after school and during the summer, with parent-involvement year round to promote school success and high school completion.

 

PROJECT INNOVATION GRANTS

One-time grants ranging from $20,000 to $40,000

 

American Red Cross - Portland               Building Safety Skills Among Hispanic                                                               Families

 

Collaborating Partners:		Hacienda CDC, Sacagawea Head Start , Mexican Consulate
Target Population:		Latino youth age 8 and older and their families
Counties:		Multnomah, Washington

            
Pilots a series of training programs to ensure Latino children and families have resources and skills to be prepared in an emergency.  Curricula include: "When I’m in Charge," Babysitter’s Training, First Aid/CPR and Disaster Preparedness. The programs will be offered free or at reduced cost.  Collaboration with culturally-specific organizations will ensure materials and presentations are culturally appropriate.

 

Equity Foundation                             Providing Unbiased Services for LGBTQ Youth

 

Collaborating Partners:		Janus Youth Programs, Morrison Child and Family Services, Oregon Department of Human Services, Department of Community Justice Multnomah County, Outside In, Portland State University, Graduate School of Social Work
Target Population:		LGTBQ Youth and service providers who serve LGTBQ youth
Counties:		Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas

              
Develops a replicable training model and provides training for social service staff and criminal justice organizations to ensure culturally competent services for LGBTQ youth. A website will be developed to provide access to research reports and training resources.

 

Portland Reading Foundation                 Targeted Reading Intervention Program

 

Collaborating Partners:		Teachers in Portland elementary schools (slated to be teachers at Binnsmead, Lents, Peninsula and Sitton)
Target Population:		Low-income and minority students
Counties:		Multnomah

Pilots a training program for bilingual, low-income parents to provide best-practice, skilled reading instruction to underachieving students of color in 1st and 2nd grades.  The new program will support two bilingual parent tutors and a Senior Reading Specialist in each of three participating schools.

 

Washington County Commission on Children & Families

Reconnecting Children with Families

Collaborating Partners:		CASA, DHS- Child Welfare, Washington County Mental Health, and local mental health providers
Target Population:		Children and youth in foster care in Washington County
Counties:		Washington

Implements an innovative, replicable model for family finding and support for youth in the foster care system. Project goals include reducing the number of children living in foster care, access to community services to maintain successful family connections and systemic change through policy development and staff training.