Blog

January 15, 2021

    How mentoring helps local kids build a brighter future   At United Way, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to build a bright future for themselves. But kids from at-risk communities face hurdles (such as poverty, instability at home or lack of access to critical resources) that could make it more […]

January 11, 2021

  Agencies receive $130,000 to help East St. Louis area youth   ST. LOUIS (January 11, 2021) — United Way of Greater St. Louis awarded 10 one-time community enhancement and COVID-19 response grants totaling $130,000 to local nonprofits, community agencies and faith-based organizations that provide programs and services to youth in the Greater East St. […]

March 27, 2020

    A note to you A note to you from Michelle D. Tucker, our president and CEO   Dear Greater St. Louis region,   When 2020 began, I, like many of you, was full of hope and excitement for the future of our region. While I continue to be full of hope and optimism, […]

March 10, 2020

    3 Crucial Skills You Teach Your Kids Through Reading   Did you know that reading for 20 minutes a day can give your child a “competitive edge” in the classroom?   Research shows that with 20 minutes a day of reading (or being read to), children will hear an average of 1.8 million […]

January 9, 2020

    How A Mentorship Can Change A Future     There’s no doubt about it: the support of a caring adult is a difference maker. A parental figure, or mentor, helps young people focus on school, work and life. But 1 in 3 youth don’t have a mentor growing up.   A mentorship helps […]

December 5, 2019

  7 Best Moments from 2019   It’s been another incredible year helping our community through United Way!   With 2019 coming to a close, we rounded up some of our favorite memories and biggest impacts.     171,155 United Way 2-1-1 calls Answered Our 2-1-1 call specialists answered 171,155 calls for a total of […]

July 23, 2019

    This is what a 12-year mentorship looks like   When it all started, 6-year-old Johnathan was only as tall as Adam’s hip. He was a little shy and dreamed of becoming a pilot. Adam had just moved to St. Louis to start his career.   Eager to find a way to give back […]

July 12, 2019

    “I Am Not My Circumstances:” Natasha’s Story     When Natasha’s on the track, nothing else matters but running.   She’s known ever since she was a little girl that she’s naturally fast. But her laser-sharp focus on her goals gives her an additional edge.   It’s that same drive that’s propelling […]

July 10, 2019

    Not Missing a Beat     Three-year-old Keegan is transfixed, concentrating on shoveling rocks into his pail in the backyard. Suddenly, he’s interrupted from his task and looks up at the sky. He points to a passing airplane.   Watching from the porch, his mom, Mitzi, grins from ear to ear.   When […]

  A Reason to Fight     Four-year-old Mila wants to be a doctor when she grows up, so it’s no surprise that’s her favorite thing to play with her mom, Maya.   “Mommy, let me take your temperature,” Mila says as she pulls out her toy thermometer and puts it in her mom’s mouth. […]

July 3, 2019

    For Academic Success, Focus on Summer Reading   School’s out for summer, but that doesn’t mean kids should put learning on hold. Summer is the perfect time for kids to hone their reading skills, which are crucial building blocks for future academic success, especially for young children.   More than 1 in 3 […]

June 19, 2019

  United Way’s Summer Reading Lists   Does your summer reading need a refresh? We asked local leaders for book recommendations to motivate, educate and inspire. Here are the top picks that kids and adults will love!   Our Summer Reading Picks – Kids Edition   Our Summer Reading Picks – Grownups Edition     […]

June 14, 2019

    Our Summer Reading Picks – Kids Edition     When the final bell rings on the last day of school, kids are looking forward to time with friends, camps or vacations and all the summer adventures that lie ahead. And what better adventure than getting lost in a good book?   We asked […]

    Our Summer Reading Picks – Grownups Edition     Summer is the perfect time to fall back in love with reading. Warmer days and longer daylight hours call for time spent relaxing with a book, whether you’re on your patio or on a plane en route to your vacation destination.   Looking to […]

March 15, 2019

When Molly adopted Shawn*, she was anxious to provide a loving home for a child in need.   Molly knew that Shawn had ended up in foster care because his biological mother had struggled with substance use disorder. Shawn and his biological mother had experienced homelessness and ongoing physical abuse and violence as a result. […]

January 30, 2019

Edit: Candice’s story was originally published in 2015. We updated it to include her post-graduation plans and continued support from College Bound. Growing up, Candice’s mom had a dream for her daughter: that she would attend college and build a better future for herself. But she knew she couldn’t do it alone.   Candice’s […]

December 17, 2018

This summer was no vacation for Brandon. In fact, it was a whirlwind.   In just ten weeks, the Missouri State University junior had the opportunity to shadow physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapists, physician assistants, a radiologist, a cardiologist and a few surgeons at SSM Health De Paul Hospital. He’s learned to apply ice […]