Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. At United Way of Southeast Mississippi, we help children get off to a good start and empower youth to reach their full potential by breaking down barriers to success. We support what works...early childhood education, literacy development and enrichment opportunities like afterschool and summer programs.
Our Goals
- Kindergarten Readiness: Ensure children 0-5 have the support they need to transition to kindergarten.
- School Success: Provide individual/group literacy support, opportunities for quality education services for children with special needs and connect families to resources and opportunities to support their children's educational success.
- College & Career Readiness: Expose students to college and university options, career options and workforce development experiences. Provide college/university access and preparation supports.
Our YOUTH OPPORTUNITY Initiatives
SOAR United (Serving Others by Accelerating Reading) is a signature program designed by the Mississippi United Way Association and UWSEMS to increase book ownership for children from vulnerable backgrounds, to accelerate reading among struggling readers and expand high-quality literacy programming. Examples of SOAR United initiatives include Community Literacy Days, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and SOAR high intensity tutoring.
The Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) program provides free books to children every month from birth until age 5. Each child gets a book with their name on it, delivered right to their home, making reading fun and easy.
United Way of Southwest is honored to serve as the local DPIL affiliate for Forrest, Lamar and Marion counties. Started by Dolly Parton in 1995, the program aims to help kids develop a love for reading. Click here for more information about registering for DPIL.
Born Learning Trails are located at several local parks. Each trail includes a series of 10 interactive signs that offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families. It helps parents, caregivers and communities create quality engagement opportunities when out on a stroll or visiting a local playground.
Click here for a list of Born Learning Trail park locations.
Our YOUTH OPPORTUNITY Funded Partners
Children’s Center for Communication and Development
The Children’s Center at Southern Miss provides early childhood education and family support for infants, toddlers and preschoolers who have communication and developmental disabilities.
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DuBard School for Language Disorders
This specialized school serves children with severe language-speech disorders, including development aphasia and childhood apraxia of speech, deafness and hearing impairments, as well as those with the written language disorder of dyslexia.
AMPACT Reading Corps, funded through grants hosted by the Pinebelt Foundation, provides tutors at Hattiesburg Public School District elementary schools giving personalized assistance to students, ensuring they are gaining the literacy skills needed to read on grade level.
Our Collaborative Educational Partners
- Excel By 5
- Local Pre-K Collaboratives
- National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
- Area Development Partnership Education Initiatives
If you would like to participate in helping us expand educational opportunities call us at 601-545-7141 or email info@unitedwaysems.org.