UNITED WAY SUCCESS STORIES
Every donation made to United Way of Racine County is invested in education, income and health programs that are building an educated workforce and creating lasting change in our community. Keep your employees informed by sharing these success stories via newsletter, intranet, email, etc. To learn more about United Way and our programs, visit .
United Way’s Schools of Hope: Helping kids become successful readers
United Way of Racine County is leading the way to support education with the implementation of Schools of Hope. In partnership with Racine Unified School District, Schools of Hope provides young children with tutors on a regular basis to increase reading achievement in the early grades. Since its pilot year in 2012, Schools of Hope has grown to include five local elementary schools and has provided more than 1,100 students with more than 14,600 tutoring hours from more than 600 tutors. During the 2016-17 school year,161 volunteers completed 6,300 tutoring sessions with 105students. In just one hour per week, Schools of Hope tutors help students become more confident, capable readers who are better positioned for academic success.
“My third grader could not comprehend anything she was reading. She knew words very well but didn't know WHAT she was reading. I explained to her that reading could be more enjoyable if she made pictures in her head of what was going on in the story. This made an impact and she began to understand more of what she was reading. By the end of our last session she was recalling much of what she had read. YEAH!!! Such a great feeling to know that such a small amount of committed time can have such a huge impact on a young one's learning.”
- Tina C., North Park Elementary School tutor (pictured)
“You have a chance to touch a child's life with such an important gift in today's world, that of “READING"!
- Nora K., Knapp Elementary School tutor (pictured seated left)
“It is truly a great experience to watch the students you are working with grow their language set and reading skills. I feel that reading with them had a much more positive effect and that the time and effort put in was well worth it to the student. I would highly recommend everyone to volunteer at some point or another to continue to develop the kids in the Racine community!”
- Zach K., SC Johnson Elementary Schooltutor (pictured center)
"The instant gratification on the child’s face when they overcome a hard word. I was only with them for a short period, and, you can really see the improvement over the weeks of work. The happiness on their faces when you go to their room each visit. They really wanted to learn.
I highly recommend becoming a tutor. Very gratifying to help."
- Jeff H., Roosevelt Elementary School tutor (pictured)
“Tutors fill a different role than teachers. We have the opportunity to give our undivided attention to a student. We are able to connect with the student and create an environment where reading is fun. I truly believe I receive more than I give. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the students with Schools of Hope. I hope I have the opportunity to continue next year.”
- Susan H., Wadewitz Elementary School tutor
“I was very pleased to see that my SOH students were so motivated. They were eager to set reading goals for themselves at the beginning of the year, and then measure their progress toward those goals.”
- Tom B., Wadewitz Elementary School tutor
“Per the teacher, both of the children I worked with had significant improvements in their MAP reading scores. She attributed part of that success was the tutoring sessions. It is great to know you are making a difference for our area children.”
- Gina J., SC Johnson Elementary tutor
United Way and Imagination Library: Sharing the love of reading
School readiness and the healthy development of children are prioritiesfor United Way. That’s why it brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to western Racine County in 2009. The program provides free, age-appropriate books each month toany Racine County children younger than five years old.Since its inception, Imagination Library has served more than 5,000 children and provided more than 70,000 books.
When Mitchell and Roni McCluskey attended United Way’s 2015 Campaign Kickoff, they didn’t know that they would soon become an important part of one of United Way’s programs. At Kickoff, they learned of the expansion of United Way’s Imagination Library program. They registered their two qualifying children as soon as possible to receive free, age-appropriate books in the mail. Their son, 18-month-old Carter (pictured), became the program’s 1000thregistrant. “We were so happy to hear that Imagination Library was expanding. It is such a great program for children. Carter loves books, and we are excited to begin reading these new books with him,” shared Roni McCluskey. Mitchell McCluskey (pictured) stated, “Giving back is important to me so we donated to the expansion before we participated in the program and now we are getting back so much more than we gave.”
“We are so thankful for this wonderful program. It has introduced my daughter (and me!) to books we may never have found on our own. My daughter is thrilled every month to receive her book. I'm always happy to have a new story to read aloud as well. Thank you!!”
– Sarah
“Thank you so much for this program. It is a gift that keeps on giving. Originally my daughter was enrolled in the program and now my son is receiving the books and they both get so excited to see a new book in the mail. Now my daughter can even read the books to my son.”
– Carii
Anonymous testimonials:
Since being a part of Imagination Library we don’t just read books, we discuss them. My son can also “read” books. We discuss what’s going on in the pictures. So does my two year old daughter.
Our kiddos love to read and be read to, and the quality of the books received are awesome! Thank you!
He loves listening to stories being read to him. He asks for more time every night!
He feels so special to get his own mail, we have to read the book right away.
Because of Imagination Library we have started and completed the summer reading program at our local library.
United Way Partner Programs
IMPACT 2-1-1
IMPACT 2-1-1 spoke with a client that had received a disconnection notice for her utilities. She was not currently working but would start a new job the next day. In the meantime, she was very concerned about having her utilities disconnected and how that would add additional stress on her and her children just as she was starting a new job. She was referred to Energy Services, Inc. for Racine and the Racine County Human Services Department to apply for the Emergency Assistance Grant. IMPACT 2-1-1 followed up two weeks later and the client stated that she had received assistance from both referrals. Her utilities were not disconnected and she was now employed and enjoying her new job.
Family Service of Racine
One year ago, Ashley began having panic attacks while trying to get to school. Every time she thought about going to school, she felt physically ill and would begin crying uncontrollably. She had no idea what was going on and wanted to get help so she began attending weekly therapy sessions at Family Service of Racine.
Ashley learned that she was experiencing panic attacks and began recognizing triggers for her anxiety. Many things made her feel anxious but she especially feared learning how to drive and thinking about what she wanted to do with her future. Throughout the sessions, Ashley began practicing coping skills such as deep breathing, crocheting and writing to help her calm down when she felt anxious. She began writing about her feelings and the reasons she was proud of herself. She looked for people around her that inspired her and found motivation in stories told by some of her favorite musicians about similar struggles with mental health.
Ashley now has her driver’s license and drives every day without anxiety. She is attending online school and making plans to attend a local college when she graduates from high school. Ashley is considering a degree in psychology because she has found a passion for helping others better understand themselves and teaching them how to cope with a mental health diagnosis. Ashley has recently decreased her weekly sessions because she is confident in her ability to use the skills she has learned in therapy. Ashley shared, “Not only did Family Service of Racine change my life directly, they also inspired me to take the necessary steps to change my own life. I am forever grateful.”
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“Cindy” and “John” are a married couple that have been together for 10 years. They have created a blended family and raised their children together but often disagreed about each other’s parenting styles. These differences ultimately lead to a breakdown in communication and then to a separation. One major goal that they had was wanting to see a future with their spouse, and wanting that future vision to be the same. After only three sessions, they were able to sit down and have a discussion and compromise about what their future will look like together. “Cindy” plans to move back in with “John” and they plan to work towards their future goals together as a couple again.
2000 Domanik Drive Racine, Wisconsin 53404 Phone 262.898.2240 Fax 262.898.2241