United Way Establishes Education Network: Volunteers Can Search Web Site for Opportunities

For Release:            October 31, 2012
Contact:                    Molly Link, United Way, 260.422.4776 (work), 260.418.7218 (cell)
 
United Way Establishes Education Network:
Volunteers Can Search Web Site for Opportunities
 
October 31, 2012 (Fort Wayne, Ind.) – United Way of Allen County’s Education Network consists of 16 local early childhood and youth serving agencies who work together to recruit volunteers and share resources. The purpose of the Education Network is to provide individuals who want to volunteer to help children a “one stop shop” of opportunities from which to select.
 
United Way has launched a web site, www.UWEducationNetwork.org, and encourages anyone interested in volunteering to go to the site to sign up. Volunteers can search according to their interests and availability, as well as view a listing of all Education Network partners and submit a volunteer application form directed to the organization(s) of their choice.
 
“United Way’s Education Network is integral to showcasing the many opportunities for volunteerism in our community,” said Todd Stephenson, president and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “We know that getting involved in the community with kids early on and continuing throughout their school years is one of the key ways to help them grow into productive and economically stable adults.”
 
“It’s wonderful for so many organizations to come together through the Education Network,” said Sharon Callender, coordinator of Fort Wayne Community School’s Community Programs, which runs Study Connection. “Not only can we connect with interested volunteers, but we connect with other programs in our community and share ideas and resources.”
 
More than 46 percent of children enter kindergarten unprepared and the most economically challenged kids start school one to two years behind in language and other skills. Statistics also show that nearly 1,000 kids in Allen County do not read at grade level by the end of third grade, an important benchmark to continued academic success. Programs within United Way’s Education Network need volunteers to get involved when and where they can to help change these trends.
 
Individuals wanting to volunteer with United Way or other area programs to help local youth succeed in school and life can visit United Way’s Education Network to find a fitting opportunity at www.UWEducationNetwork.org or contact Ruthie Krueger at 469-4002 or ruthiek@uwacin.org.
 
Education Network partners: Allen County Public Library, Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana, Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, CANI Head Start, Catholic Charities, Early Childhood Alliance, Fort Wayne Community Schools Study Connection, Fort Wayne Urban League, Lutheran Social Services of Indiana, MLK Montessori School, Renaissance Pointe YMCA, Science Central, Turnstone, United Way of Allen County and Wellspring Interfaith Social Services
 
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