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.

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.

Examples of Impact in 2025...

1,600+

interactions of students participating in enriching after school programs

2,600+

interactions of individuals gaining life & social skills through funded programs

success stories:

LIFE Mower County - Autism Friendly Austin

OJ is a 7-year-old boy who attends Autism Friendly Austin Rec Nights. He first joined when the program was held at the Hormel Historic Home, and he continued coming after LIFE Mower County took over the program on 9/1/2025.

OJ’s mom wanted him and his 9-year-old brother, DJ, to be part of fun community activities, but it was hard to know what to expect. Simple things—like what snack to bring or what the evening would be like—could feel overwhelming. OJ also tended to stick to familiar routines and rarely tried new foods or drinks.
​
During one Rec Night, the group played games and then went swimming at the YMCA. After swimming, everyone gathered for snack time. To help families feel welcome and prepared, LIFE Mower County staff brought lemonade and a few snacks for the group.
​

OJ surprised everyone by choosing lemonade. Not only did he try it, but he kept drinking it while he enjoyed his snack and continued playing with the other kids until it was time to go home.

When OJ’s mom arrived to pick up both boys, she asked how things went. Staff shared that OJ did great—he participated, stayed engaged, and even tried lemonade. His mom was shocked and excited because at home, OJ only drank water and rarely tried anything else.

For OJ’s family, this was a big win. It showed that in a safe, supportive setting, OJ can feel comfortable, try new things, and build confidence alongside his brother.

---

- LIFE Mower County

Austin Aspires - CareerQuest

While we recognize that impact stories are often told through the experience of a single individual or family, CareerQuest’s most meaningful impact over the past year is the celebration of collaboration and relationship that was created to make CareerQuest a reality.

For more than two years, representatives from across this region—educators, workforce development professionals, industry leaders, and community organizations—worked together to plan a career exploration experience unlike anything previously offered locally. This collaboration required significant trust, shared leadership, and a collective commitment to youth success. The goal was ambitious: to engage up to 1,400 students in hands-on, relevant career exploration that reflected real opportunities within their own communities.

​The result was CareerQuest, a large-scale regional event that ultimately engaged 900 local youth with more than 100 professionals representing over 50 careers across multiple industry sectors. For many students, this was their first opportunity to speak directly with employers, ask questions about training pathways, and see how classroom learning connects to real-world careers. Rather than passively receiving information, students interacted with professionals, explored equipment and tools, and learned about multiple postsecondary options—including certificates, apprenticeships, two-year degrees, and four-year pathways.

The personal impact of CareerQuest was evident in student feedback collected following the event. Students consistently reported increased awareness of career options and a clearer understanding of how to access them. One student shared, “I would encourage a friend to come to CareerQuest because it is a good opportunity to explore different career options and figure out how to get into them.” This reflection captures the experience of hundreds of youth who left CareerQuest with greater clarity, confidence, and direction.

Schools and educators experienced measurable benefits as well. One hundred percent of participating school districts that responded to the post-event survey reported that CareerQuest was a valuable use of school resources. Districts cited strong student engagement, alignment with academic and career planning goals, and the value of exposing students to opportunities available within their region. CareerQuest strengthened school-to-community connections and reinforced the role of educators as partners in workforce development.

The impact extended equally to employers and industry partners. More than 96% of participating professionals reported that participating in CareerQuest was a valuable use of their time. Employers appreciated the opportunity to connect directly with local youth, share authentic career pathways, and invest in the future workforce of southeastern Minnesota. This level of engagement underscores the success of CareerQuest in aligning workforce needs with educational efforts.

At its core, CareerQuest represents a shift in how a region supports its young people. Rather than isolated efforts or one-time interactions, CareerQuest demonstrated the power of sustained collaboration across sectors. By working together, this community created an environment where youth could see themselves as part of the region’s future—where careers felt accessible, attainable, and relevant.

The impact of CareerQuest cannot be attributed to a single student or family because its success lies in how an entire area came together to expand opportunity. CareerQuest changed the landscape of career exploration in southeastern Minnesota, ensuring that hundreds of young people gained exposure, confidence, and direction they may not have otherwise received.

This regional story is ultimately a story of personal impact multiplied—where one coordinated community effort created meaningful change for hundreds of individuals and families across the area.
​

---

- Austin Aspires

Read More