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.

35.9%

of 3rd graders achieve grade-level reading standards

75.2%

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 2022 funding...

292

students participated in enriching after school programs

670+

individuals gained life & social skills through funded programs

success stories.

Hormel Historic Home - Autism Friendly Austin Initiative 
"A parent recently contacted our organization to express gratitude for making an impact on, not only her child's life, but also her own. She stated that through the years of guidance, mentoring, and skill building that CARS has offered her, she has been able to advocate and support her child in ways she otherwise would not have known.

Most recently, she was successfully able to manage an IEP meeting at the school without assistance and the school was very impressed with her organization and knowledge. She feels strongly that these skills are thanks to supports that our programing has offered her over the years.

Her child has made incredible successes in both school and in life. He is applying for the CEO program at the High School and is looking into college classes to attend over the summer. He has also maintained a job at Qdoba since July and is making great strides as an employee there. He has been impacted by our programming and will continue to be into the future."
Serveminnesota - ​Minnesota Reading Corps
"Meredith Martin, Reading Corps Tutor at Neveln Elementary, Austin - "I wanted to share what I have shared about Reading Corps recently. I really wanted you to know what a positive effect it is having not only directly on my family, but indirectly on thousands more. This is outside of my comfort zone. I usually don't share about my kids this way.

I didn't feel like I needed the training to be a better tutor. But I am always so grateful when diversity training is required. Because my kids are often the targets of hate and fear. I joined because my daughter had already done it. I knew it was a great program because my daughter felt safe and respected as a tutor. In a world where my family has to be on guard because of my children's orientation and gender identifications, this has been more rare than you can imagine.

So after Corps Day this week, I decided to share my story with a very well known but also very private FB group, the Mama Bears. I shared with over 33,000 moms that Ampact is not only an accepting and affirming place for them and their LGBTQIA children to work, but also to receive services. And while I am sharing it with you, I didn't do it for Ampact. I did it for my Mamas. Because even though my LGBTQ children are adults, the world remains an insanely scary place for our kids. We never stop worrying, we never stop advocating, we never stop. And knowing that Ampact is so open and affirming has a HUGE impact on our families.

​I am not special as a Mama Bear. We all work together sharing resources, ideas, and support for our families. After the diversity training, I felt so strongly that I needed to share how much support Ampact offers their members and the children they serve. Many of... ... these families will never need Ampact services, but they now know what this program does for our kids. And that is what I wanted to make sure you knew. That thousands of people are affected by what Ampact does, simply by knowing they do it. Ampact matters."
 *Note: Ampact is a sub grantee of ServeMinnesota and our longstanding implementation partner for our strategic initiatives. Ampact facilitates recruitment, training, and data-collection, while ensuring implementation fidelity across program sites."

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