mission
Youth must have the skills necessary to graduate from high school with options for the future. Our work is giving kids a safe place during their out-of-school time to connect with peers and mentors, to explore, learn, and to develop the skills and relationships they need to achieve throughout life.
updates
Faith and Action
The FAA committee will continue to support faith-based agencies that provide an intensive focus on United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMB/MV) highest priority and one of the most pressing gaps identified in the Needs Assessment Report: providing youth with high quality adult and peer relationships through their involvement with staff at the agency, volunteer mentors and appropriate referrals to mental health service providers.
Out of Harm's Way
Out of Harm's Way (OHW) is in its first full academic year of operation at the Dearborn and Lilla Fredericks schools reaching more than 1,000 students in areas of the city that have been identified by Boston Public Schools and Boston Police as trouble spots. The purpose of this initiative is to stem incidents of violence among middle school youth and to increase their engagement in positive and productive out-of-school time activities. Out of Harm's Way is funded through the generous support of the Edgerley family and is intended to be a multi-year effort that will in time expand to other middle schools in the city.
The Engaging Families Initiative
As United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMB/MV) seeks to improve our agencies' connections with parents, and as a means of improving the social-emotional wellbeing of youth, we were fortunate to have participated in The Engaging Families Initiative (EFI).
Today's Girls. Tomorrow's Leaders (TGTL)
TGTL, an initiative that supports out-of-school time programs and providers through a network of community-based organizations, is excited to begin its 12th season.
Turn It Up and Get Active
As part of the Turn it Up and Get Active Campaign, UWMB partnered with the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University to produce the HEAT Club, an after-school curriculum that aims to improve eating habits and increase physical activity among school age children. In February 2006, UWMB recruited 12 HEAT Club participant organizations from current UWMB affiliate youth-serving agencies. Since April 2006, each organization has integrated the curriculum into their programs.
Business Meets Community Event
In Fall 2006, the Business Meets Community initiative began recruiting companies to participate in high impact youth-focused volunteer opportunities. United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMB/MV) is currently working with company representatives to customize engagement experiences that meet the needs of agencies, are attractive to employees, and forward the Increasing Youth Opportunities impact agenda.
events, research & resources
Using Research-Based Tools to Measure Youth Outcomes
We're excited about the enhancements soon to be available for our Directory of Measurement Tools for Youth Outcomes. The Directory will have a more engaging "look and feel" and increased functionality, making it easier to compare tools and find tools that "fit" for individual out-of-school-time programs.
United Way staff
- Peg Sprague, VP - Community Impact (CI)
- Lisa Pickard, Sr. Director - Community Impact (CI)
- Bithiah Carter, Director - Community Impact (CI)
- Laurita Kaigler-Crawlle, Director - Community Impact (CI)
- Karley Ausiello, Director - Community Impact (CI)
- Ligia Pena, Administrative Assistant - Community Impact (CI)