Programs: Increasing youth opportunities - research shows that youth who have access to quality afterschool programs and trusting relationships with adults have reduced problem behavior and increased self-confidence , self esteem and attitudes towards school, school grades, and achievment test scores. Our goals in this area are that youth will have consistent long-term, supportive relationships with nurturing adults so that they stay in school and graduate able to compete in the 21st century. Our vision is that they will have a safe place in the community to connect with peers and mentors, to explore, learn, and develop the relationships and skills they need to be successful throughout life and that adults will have the skills needed to develop effective relationships with youths that supports their positive development and learning. Here are some examples of how we are addressing the needs of young people in our region: 1. There's an achievement gap and disparities in the drop out rate in our region. We provide more than 25,000 youth with academic support, 91% stayed on track for graduation. 2. Low-income youth lack the skills needed to compete in the 21st century workforce. Uwmb collaborates with afterschool programs and the region's healthcare, life sciences and technology industries to help our youth succeed in the sciences and inspire the next generation of professionals. 3. Many youth do not have caring adults in their lives to support and guide them. Last year we matched over 7,600 youth with mentors.
healthy childhood development - decades of research affirm that very young children grow, learn, develop and thrive when exposed to close, dependable, nurturing relationships. The social and emotional skills and competencies learned within these relationships are the foundation for a child's success in kindergarten and throughout life. Long-term studies indicate that development in children's early years has a dramatic impact on school readiness, and that improving early learning helps prepare children for kindergarten and a lifetime of achievement. Our goals are to ensure that young children are better prepared to succeed in school because their social and emotional needs are met and that families have access to the information and resources they need to raise and nurture their young children. Here are some examples of how we are addressing the needs of young children and their families: too many children are entering school not ready to learn. Last year, our work resulted in more than 33,000 children enrolled in high quality early education and care programs that help them gain the skills they need for kindergarten. 13,000 children received early intervention services to ensure that young children are screened for developmental delays. 90% of those who received intervention showed improvement. Through our partnership with the city of boston we oversee thrive in 5, a 10-year plan to achieve universal school readiness for 39,000 young children. Thrive in 5 has collaborated with multiple partners and community-based organizations around school readiness efforts that have resulted in an increase in the percentage of young children entering kindergarten with strong early language and literacy skills, a key element of school readiness, from 54% in 2009 to 63% in 2013.
families - research has shown that financial stability is essential to improving the future for children and families. Financial stability comes from providing families the resources and opportunities they need to meet their basic needs, attain safe and affordable housing and secure jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. Uwmb has created an asset-building framework to move people who are low-income into the economic mainstream. Assets include both soft assets and hard assets - including language proficiency, education to attract a self-sufficient job, skills in a labor market with high demand jobs, a home and savings. However, without knowledge and skills in managing money, workers and families will face economic uncertainty and potential pitfalls. Families without access to coordinated income, work supports, or asset-building tools have a much harder time finding pathways out of poverty. Underlying all of this is the basic necessity of safe, affordable, permanent housing. A strong supply of affordable housing is critical, coupled with community resources to help those at-risk or experiencing homelessness to access that housing supply. Uwmb supports service delivery, capacity building and public policy to help families achieve economic self-sufficiency. In building a strong framework with the assets families need to thrive and gain economic security, uwmb helps families today and strengthens their capacity to succeed in the long-term. Here are some examples of how we are addressing the needs of families in our region: 1. Many families struggle to meet their basic needs. Last year uwmb helped 291,000 people with emergency assistance, including food, heat and housing. 2. Family homelessness is at an all-time high. Last year we prevented over 15,900 families from becoming homeless, and developed, preserved or managed over 7,900 units of affordable housing. 3. Many families lack the tools and resources to achieve financial stability. Uwmb helped 10,590 individuals to obtain, retain or advance employment. Uwmb also increased access to free tax filing services in seven communities and raised public awareness about the earned income tax credit (eitc) to help generate over $10. 2 million in refunds to 4,515 low-income, working families.
