United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMBMV) primarily concentrates our resources in the areas of children, youth, employment and housing-these are our tactical levers for change. We are focused on the needs of children and families primarily as an investment that shows the most potential for return. Children are society's greatest asset, and an investment in their potential today will build a stronger tomorrow for all of us.
Our vision is that by 2015, the Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley region will be regarded as the best place in the country to raise a child.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2004, in only 27 of the 161 cities and towns in Greater Boston could a
family earning the median income in that community afford a house at the median
income price of homes sold there in 2004, down from 59 communities only a
year earlier.
Source: Commonwealth Magazine, Growth & Development Extra, 2006,
Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth.
United Way is working toward this vision by helping adults find family-sustaining jobs and affordable housing, ensuring that basic needs are met, creating opportunities for youth, and strengthening the environments that nurture the healthy development of children:
- Healthy Child Development - Positive social and emotional development is critical to forming a strong foundation for young children to grow and learn. Our work is supporting research and innovative practices and programs to help prepare children for kindergarten and a lifetime of achievement.
- Youth Opportunity - Youth must graduate from high school with options for the future. Our work is giving kids a safe place in the community to connect with peers and mentors, to explore, learn, and to develop the skills they need to achieve throughout life.
- Family-sustaining Employment - A good job can lead to self-sufficiency and the start of a better life. We work with our partner agencies to help people secure living-wage employment through job and life skills training, English as a Second Language and adult basic education.
- Safe and Affordable Housing - Every child needs a safe place to call home. Our work is helping individuals and families develop the financial resources and life skills they need to find and secure safe, stable and affordable housing.