InTheNews

On February 6, United Way of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) announced that new data show that the Schools of Hope (SOH) program is showing success in closing gaps in student achievement. The new data shows several areas of achievement in the program which include: increased academic achievement in literacy skills in students, uniqueness and effective use of skilled volunteers, and the value of the work that MMSD teachers place on the results the program is producing.

To read detailed coverage of this announcement, see the links below.

Published by the Wisconsin State Journal on 2/10/2013

It’s reassuring to learn the Schools of Hope tutoring project is working. But more volunteers are needed to expand and improve the effort. “We’ve got to keep this — it’s fundamental — and then build on it,” said Leslie Ann Howard, president of the United Way of Dane County.

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Aired on WISC-TV Channel 3 on 2/7/2013

A two year study of the Schools of Hope program provides a wealth of evidence that the 1 6-y ear-old literacy program works. Children who participate fully in the reading literacy element of Schools of Hope do better than peer students who do not participate. But too many kids do not participate fully for lack of adequate numbers of volunteers. Schools of Hope, under the leadership of United Way of Dane County and in partnership with Centro Hispano, the Urban League and community business and civic leaders, is a strategy to help close the achievement gap.

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Published by the Wisconsin State Journal on 2/6/2013

Community leaders are hopeful that a new study showing a local elementary school tutoring program is raising student achievement will grow the number of participating teachers and volunteers. The two-year study of the Schools of Hope program conducted by a UW-Madison researcher largely affirmed that elementary school students in the program made larger strides in reading than similar peers who did not participate.

Published by the The Cap Times on 11/25/2012

If Black Friday and Cyber Monday leave you feeling empty in more than just your wallet, you might want to check out #GivingTuesday. The new initiative, spearheaded by the 92nd Street Y in New York in partnership with several national nonprofits, aims to establish a national day of charitable giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The idea is to tap into the holiday season urge to donate to favored charities and causes, focus it, and grow it, says the fundraising chief at a participating Madison nonprofit.

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On November, 15 United Way of Dane County announced it’s projecting to reach $17.6 million for its 2012 Campaign.  Nick Meriggioli, 2012 United Way Campaign Chair and President of Oscar Mayer, kicked off this year’s campaign at the Days of Caring at the end of August with the announcement of a challenging goal of $17,500,000.  The community responded with more than 38,000 individual and 1,100 corporate donations.  The event was generously sponsored by American Family Insurance.

To read detailed coverage of this announcement, see the links below.

Published by the Wisconsin State Journal on 11/16/2012

Clad in turkey hats crafted from construction paper and “Live United” T-shirts, a group of Falk Elementary School students said thanks a week early on behalf of the United Way of Dane County. United Way held a luncheon Thursday at Monona Terrace, where its leaders announced that the charity is projected to reach $17.6 million raised for its 2012 campaign. The projection exceeds the $17.5 million goal United Way announced during its annual Days of Caring service event at the end of August.

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Aired on WISC-TV Channel 3 on 11/16/2012

The United Way of Dane County is projecting it will raise $17.6 million in its 2012 fundraising drive, exceeding its campaign goal of $17.5 million. The announcement was made during a campaign celebration Thursday. United Way officials said more than 38,000 individuals and 1,100 corporations gave money to the campaign.

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Aired on WISC-TV Channel 3 on 11/16/2012

On September 25, United Way of Dane County’s President & CEO Leslie Ann Howard announced they will partner with Dane County to launch a new pilot birth to four-year-old kindergarten program to help more children and families succeed in Madison’s Leopold Elementary School neighborhood. 

To read detailed coverage of this announcement, see the links below.

Published by the Wisconsin State Journal on 8/26/2012

A new collaboration between Dane County and the United Way seeks to provide continuous support for low-income families with children from birth to 4-year-old kindergarten. County Executive Joe Parisi and United Way of Dane County President Leslie Ann Howard announced Tuesday a $150,000 program that would serve 27 families in the Leopold Elementary attendance area starting in January.

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Aired on WISC-TV Channel 3 on 8/25/2012

Dane County said it will partner with United Way of Dane County to launch a new pilot birth to 4-years-old kindergarten program to help more children and
families succeed in Madison’s Leopold Elementary School neighborhood. This newly created Leopold Early Childhood Zone will be included in the county executive’s 2013 budget, to be introduced on Oct. 1.

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Aired on WKOW Channel 27 on 8/25/2012

Dane County is setting up a new program designed to help young children start down the right educational path.   The county is partnering with United Way of Dane County to launch the Leopold Early Childhood Zone.

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Aired on FOX 47 on 8/25/2012

Dane County said it will partner with United Way of Dane County to launch a new pilot birth to 4-years-old kindergarten program to help more children and families succeed in Madison’s Leopold Elementary School neighborhood.

Click here to download the entire article

Published by the Wisconsin State Journal on 8/17/2012

When a public play area was built for children at East Towne Mall last year, it also was designed to host an early childhood learning program called Play and Learn.
Now through increased funding, Play and Learn has grown from once a month to twice a month. Starting this month, it is operated on a drop-in basis from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first and third Fridays by the Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin. It is run in the play structure in the open mall area near the Children’s Place store. Caregivers register when they arrive and stay with their children for open play and more structured activities.

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