According to 2010 data from Erie Vital Signs, 41% of 18-24 year olds in Erie County had no more than a high school diploma and only 10% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Research shows that a strong educational foundation leads to better employment opportunities and a more competitive workforce. Higher educational attainment is a direct corollary to higher income, better health, and a host of other factors that make individuals, and communities, more productive. 

Our Goal

By 2025, United Way challenges the community to prepare at least two-thirds of our high school graduates to succeed in education after high school.

Our Strategy

To accomplish that, our community must transform the educational environment by working to ensure that these key milestones are met:

• Children are prepared socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually for Kindergarten
• Children are proficient in literacy by the end of third grade
• Students are engaged in school and hopeful about their futures
• Students of all ages articulate age-appropriate career paths
• Students graduate from high school on time with a career plan and the skills necessary to be successful in post-secondary education

How You Can Help

To reach our goal, we need your help. The strategies proven to work are those that connect communities to their schools: parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged in early childhood advocacy. Volunteer to help.