Thriving
Kids

There’s nothing more important than ensuring our community’s children have what they need to thrive.

 

Safety - Love - Belonging

 

A child who thrives is happy, healthy, and has a strong sense of well-being. They feel secure and unconditionally loved, while also being heard, having hope for the future, and knowing they belong. They are allowed to explore, play, and dream big as they envision their own future and the future of our community.

But, children in our community face a range of challenges that impact their well-being, educational success, and ability to transition into adulthood. This is because of inequities in opportunities as well as systemic injustices. Metro United Way is working to address barriers and gaps in services and systems to create a cohesive network addressing all challenges to unlock kids’ potential so they may thrive.

The Need

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Kentucky

36th in the country for child well-being

41st in family and community factors 

19% of children live in poverty 

63% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool 

44% of children enter kindergarten ready to learn (42.8% in Jefferson County)

The child care system in Jefferson County lacks space for an estimated 4,759 children whose families want care​

An average of 1,177 children are born with low birthweights each year in Jefferson County which means higher chances of health conditions later in life

Jefferson County has an average of 1,634 annual births to mothers without a high school education

Indiana

25th in the country for child well-being 

31st in family and community factors 

16% of children live in poverty 

60% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool 

66% of fourth graders not proficient in reading 

 

Sources: 2024 Kids Count Data Book, aec.org, JCPS Brigance, Louisville Metro Public Health, 2021 U.S. Census American Community Survey, MUW data analysis

 

 

View the 2023-2024 Louisville Early Learning Workforce Study

Key points from the report include:
  • 30% of early learning teaching staff and 30% of family child care providers have a total family income of less than $30,000
  • 11% of teachers and 13% of assistant teachers, working full-time, said they must work another job to make ends meet
  • 47% of teachers left their center in the past year
  • 22% of teachers said they “probably will not” or “definitely will not” be in the field in three years

What We're Doing Together
To Help

  • Focusing on PUBLIC POLICY and ADVOCACY for kids and families.
  • Leading collaboration of 100+ EARLY CARE and EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS.
  • Equipping families with FREE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCREENERS and individualized referrals and supports.
  • Offering early childhood educator TRAINING and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  • Supplying BOOK ACCESS in targeted neighborhoods.
  • Providing nearly 200 YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS with:
    • INVESTMENTS to trusted and effective organizations empowering children outside of the classroom
    • TRAINING and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for youth leaders/employees.
    • MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS for youth leaders/employees.
    • CAPACITY BUILDING and data supports, including youth outcome data.
  • Empowering neighborhood youth groups to identify and work on SOCIAL ACTION PROJECTS that improve their community.
  • BUILDING BEDS for kids who need them.
  • Creating BARRIER-FREE PATHWAYS for YOUNG BLACK MEN to reach their academic and career goals.

Here are some of the proven, long-standing programs and initiatives as well as innovative solutions that we work together on every day.

...and our partners in this work

Results

How children benefit from Metro United Way's Ages and Stages Developmental Screening Hub

THE IMPACT

  • MORE THAN $340K
    distributed to support projects focused on improving outcomes for children and families
  • 819 CHILDREN SCREENED
    through our developmental screening hub that equips families with resources, provides referrals, and distributes books and activities (now available in four languages!)
  • 87%
    positive outcome rates for youth participating in Youth Development programs
  • 175 BEDS
    built by 143 volunteers and given to students who did not have a bed to call their own
  • 162
    individuals completed our Ages & Stages Questionnaires training
  • 218
    youth-serving organizations in our Youth Success Network
  • 100+
    early care and education partners engaged in the Ready for K Alliance
  • OVER 500
    youth development workers attended professional development workshops
  • 169
    family engagement kits distributed to parents of children age 0-5
  • WORK WITH 348
    nonprofit and community partners in this pillar alone
  • MORE THAN 10,000
    young people impacted
  • 23,100
    diapers collected and distributed
  • 32,502 BOOKS
    distributed throughout our 40+ Little Free Libraries
  • 31,075
    impact kits created and distributed to 78 agencies

From HARDSHIP To HOPE

It will take all of us working together to ensure every kid in our community thrives. Join us and invest today.

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