Learn United

Learn United is United Way’s ten-year commitment to ensuring all local children read at grade level by the end of third grade. It’s a collaborative effort coordinated by United Way of Allen County, the Allen County Education Partnership, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the four local school districts.  

United Way is tackling this issue because approximately 40 percent of low-income third-graders in Allen County do not pass the language portion of the ISTEP test each year. That’s more than 1,000 local third-graders every year who cannot read at grade level. Unless we intervene, statistics show that 74 percent of these children will never catch up and be able to live productive lives.

The comprehensive Learn United plan includes strategies to: 1) increase access to prenatal care for at-risk mothers, 2) build early literacy skills for low-income preschoolers and 3) provide support for elementary students who are struggling with reading.

The school-age component involves matching thousands of local volunteers with children who struggle to read. By visiting www.LearnUnited.org or calling 260.469.4030, volunteers can explore and then register for volunteer opportunities through individual schools or through existing programs, such as Study Connection or Big Brothers/Big Sisters’ Lunch Buddies. Volunteers all have background checks and receive training.

How Can You Help?

Give. You can give to United Way of Allen County through your workplace campaign or by going to www.LearnUnited.org and clicking on Give. Or, call United Way at 260.422.4776 to request a pledge form, make a credit card donation or a direct withdrawal from your checking or savings account.

Advocate. Tell your friends and colleagues about Learn United and direct them to the website. Put Learn United information on your Facebook page, in your neighborhood newsletter or on your Twitter message. Better yet, set up an informational meeting for any group in which you’re involved, like a book club or parent-teacher group.

Volunteer. Sign up to volunteer at www.LearnUnited.org or by calling 260.469.4030. Also, encourage your co-workers and friends to volunteer.

Learn United contact information:
 

Lanah Hake, Director of Education Initiatives
lanahh@uwacin.org

(260) 422-4776

Craig Nix, Learn United Volunteer Manager
cnix@abouteducation.org

(260) 423-6447 ext. 30