Access to quality education is vital to child development, lifelong learning and regional economic growth. United Way of Mower County understands that barriers exist in our community that impact one's ability to obtain quality education, so we continually strive to address these issues by ensuring equal opportunities exist for all.

47%

of 3rd graders achieve grade-level reading standards

77%

of high school students graduate on time

SOURCE

Equipping students and parents with the tools to learn and grow is an integral part of United Way of Mower County's education efforts. Through funded partners, UWMC is strengthening education at every age-level.

Through 2021 funding...

292

students participated in enriching after school programs

280+

individuals gained life & social skills through funded programs

success stories.

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys - community engagement 

"Thirty girls participated in a two-day camping event - many of whom never attended a camp before. Girls had the opportunity to try signature camp activities such as archery, fire building, and cooking over a fire.

The outdoor adventure continued when twenty girls participated in a new program – Mountain Biking at our new Girls in Gear Mountain Bike trail and skills park at Camp Elk River. Many of the girls rode a bike for the first time that day. By the end of the second session girls gained confidence and where excited to try out their new skills in the skills park.
 
During the second session of the mountain bike camp, one girl took a hard fall. However, thanks to the training and encouragement of her instructors and fellow Girl Scouts, she did not feel deterred by the fall. She stood up, brushed herself off, and said, “Sometimes you fall and you just gotta get right back up and keep going…and that’s not just for mountain biking!” She then got back on her bike and tried that part of the trail again, saying to her fellow Girl Scouts, “Come on! What are we waiting for?”"

Serveminnesota - ​Minnesota Reading Corps

"A current tutor, Meredith, has been a preschool teacher in Austin for 14 years. Their goal has been to turn preschoolers into passionate pre-readers, who love being read to. Working as a K-3 Reading Corps tutor has been an amazing experience for this long-time teacher, because now they are able to see readers blossom each day and in real time. 

Describing their experience, Meredith said, “Each day, my students and I take a minute or two to discuss what we are reading at home or in class. We are excited to share how reading makes our lives better. Then, we get to work. In the few short months that I have been working with my students, I have seen huge growth. I LOVE being able to work one-on-one with each student and see their excitement and confidence grow as they discover that reading IS fun and that they ARE good at it. I love every day that I get to work with my students. I love doing so through Reading Corps, where my students aren't boxes to be checked off, but kids I am building relationships with, and who are building their relationship with reading.""