United Way Services of Geauga County brought together health and human service agencies, schools, and community members to address common goals through a new Community Impact agenda. Strategies are in place to increase early school success; create greater financial stability; and increase disease prevention and access to health care for our community.
Collaboratives in education, income, and health are being formed to better hone in on specific community issues. For example, the focus on early school success aims to eliminate the disparities between student performances of children from lower income households compared to those of higher income.
“School data shows us the marked differences in elementary reading and math scores of children from different income levels,” says Kimm Leininger, Executive Director at United Way. “We have terrific schools in our county, but they don’t all have the same resources. We want to make sure all kids in Geauga enter kindergarten ready to learn and can pass their 3rd grade reading exam.”
The collaborative framework was explained by keynote speaker Chris Thompson of the Fund for Our Economic Future which uses the same theory of collaboration to spur economic development in Northeast Ohio.
Each collaborative will consist of nonprofit organizations, county agencies, businesses, local educators, and community members who are interested in improving the lives of “at risk” residents, which is defined as those who are economically disadvantaged, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
“Working collectively provides our community with the opportunity to develop a shared plan, create “shared” measures, break down local silos, learn from one another, and involve our local citizens in the development of systematic solutions,” says David Chew, Chairman of United Way Board. “We are so excited to begin this work and know that together we will be making positive change in Geauga.”
If community members are interested in joining these collaboratives, please contact Joann Randall, jrandall@uws.org.
