United Way Works to Advance Youth Opportunity

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. But with more than 1.2 million children dropping out each year, America faces an education crisis. The cost? More than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over their lifetimes.¹ These trends are reversible, but only when communities and public, private, and nonprofit sectors work together to support student success. Advancing youth opportunity also means focusing on children's lives outside of the classroom, making sure they are safe and healthy.

Our Strategy

United Way of Oconee works to ensure children have the supplies they need for a successful school year. Through our Backpack School Supply Program, first through twelfth grade public school students in Oconee can receive a backpack filled with basic school supplies at our annual distribution event. We also provide school supplies to teachers throughout the year. 

To improve the quality of life for children outside of school, United Way of Oconee also operates the Kids Food Gap program through a grant from SC DSS. We have partnered with the Westminster Recreation Department to provide Oconee children with food and access to the recreation complex. This program offers Oconee children a safe place to spend time and eat when they are not in school. The Recreation Complex often serves meals and snacks over weekends, holidays, and school breaks.

How You Can Help

We collect school supplies year-round for Oconee's students and teachers. Online monetary donations to our programs are also appreciated and may be submitted at https://www.oconeeunitedway.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2. Let's help Oconee children succeed both inside and outside of the classroom!

¹ Figure according to Communities in Schools, one of America’s leading drop-out prevention partnerships.