United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) tries to create a more equitable community by advancing Education, Financial Stability, and Health initiatives to support the 40% of Westchester and Putnam households living in poverty or paycheck to paycheck or “ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). While all three efforts are essential to holistically lift-up struggling families, it is Education that has the ability to provide the best long-term solution for struggling families. 

UWWP offers several Education programs designed to support children and families including: 

EDUCATION UNITED ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

UWWPs Education United serves approximately 600 children in four elementary schools across three school-districts — Ossining, Greenburgh, and Tarrytown. This free, bilingual programs offers more than just a safe space for children after school … its programming improves academic and social-emotional outcomes and provides an assortment of STEAM, physical fitness and homework-help activities. This program is free thanks to the generosity of three primary funding sources — the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, the New York State Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports, and the Westchester County Invest in Kids initiative.

DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY

Approximately 61% of U.S. children in low-income families have no age-appropriate children’s books in their homes. This “book desert” is a major factor in educational disadvantage that can lead to poor academic success. Additionally, 1 in 3 children begin kindergarten without the early literacy skills necessary to learn to read. Early childhood literacy is crucial because it stimulates brain development, builds foundational skills for academic and lifelong success, fosters critical thinking and problem-solving, and improves overall communication and self-esteem. And strong early literacy is linked to better performance in all subjects, as well as higher graduation rates, and increased career opportunities in adulthood. Through the UWWPs collaboration with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, families living in White Plains, Port Chester, and Peekskill can sign-up to receive by mail a free book a month for their child up until their 5^th birthday.

COLLEGE OR GRADUATE DEGREE SCHOLARSHIPS

UWWP partners with the African-American Men of Westchester to provide a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Scholarship award each year to a deserving high school student about to attend college. 

UWWP also partners with the Urban League of Westchester County and the Westchester County Department of Social Services to administer the Ruth Taylor Scholarship Fund, which was created more than 50 years ago by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in tribute to Ruth Taylor upon her retirement as Commissioner of Public Welfare for Westchester County. Through this Fund, UWWP provides scholarship awards to Westchester residents pursuing graduate-level degrees on a full-time basis at accredited U.S. colleges or schools in the fields of social welfare/work or health.

SUMMER BACKPACK PROGRAM

Westchester and Putnam families that qualify for free or reduced school lunches, are potentially eligible to participate in UWWPs Summer Backpack Program which provides free weekly food parcels and a backpack filled with books and activities for school-aged children to prepare them for the new school year.

To find out more about any of these programs, please contact UWWPs Chief Impact Officer, Avery Zuvic, at azuvic@uwwp.org.