Blog
Friday, April 5, 2019
“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor. “ -James A. Baldwin
For so many single moms, a never-ending battle wages between finding the time and energy to raise their kids, and the demands of working to generate a sustainable income to feed and house their families.
“The pressures of a single income and the high costs of childcare mean that the risk of poverty for these families is a tragic reality.” (source)
United Way knows the realities of poverty. We see it in our homeless student...
Friday, April 5, 2019
(Original article here)
This graph shows the Percentage of households led by a female householder with no spouse present with own children under 18 years living in the household in the U.S. in 2017, by state. In 2017, about 7.33 percent of Californian households were single mother households with at least one child.
Additional information on single mother households and poverty in the United States.
For most single mothers a constant battle persists between finding the time and energy to raise their children and the demands of working to...
Monday, April 1, 2019
At United Way of Treasure Valley, we know the vehicle out of poverty is education. But when you live in a single-parent home, and that parent works two jobs and can barely manage to get their child, let alone themselves out of bed in the mornings, making it to school just doesn’t always happen.
This is exactly what was happening to Matt.
Matt’s attendance was poor and his behavior began to suffer. As a consequence, recesses were taken away. Fortunately for Matt, mentoring programs in the Treasure Valley exist and target kids just like him...
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Original article here.
From birth to age 5, a child’s brain develops more than at any other time in life. And early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and life. The quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life – positive or negative – helps shape how their brain develops.
90% of a Child’s Brain Develops By Age 5
At birth, the average baby’s brain is about a quarter of the size of the average adult brain. Incredibly, it doubles in size in the first year. It keeps...
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Original source here.
Mentoring creates meaningful connections that can positively impact the lives of both mentor and mentee. Those who receive mentorship are more likely to see improved academic, social, and economic prospects. Those who mentor are able to build important leadership and management skills, while giving back to their community.
There are 46 million young people, aged 8 - 18, living in America. 16 million of them are growing up without a mentor. That's one out of every three young people who, outside of their family at home...
Monday, March 25, 2019
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“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ― Stephen King
Think back to your favorite childhood book. Remember the feeling you got when it was time to read that story? Maybe you snuggled up with a parent or a sibling while they read aloud. Maybe they used a silly voice for a special character. Did you laugh at the same parts over and over again? Did you have almost the entire thing memorized or have a favorite page?
A single book can be magic.
But in 2017, we learned that for low-income kids in Idaho, only 1 in 300 will know...
Monday, March 25, 2019
Original article found here.
The research is clear. Below are fifty facts about early literacy that inspire us every day to keep working to make a difference in the lives of children.
Literacy, Language, and the Brain
1. The greatest amount of brain growth occurs between birth and age five. In fact, by age 3, roughly 85% of the brain’s core structure is formed. In contrast, the majority of our investments are made in the traditional education years of K-12, which begin at age five. “Lifetime Effects: The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study...
Friday, February 8, 2019
Original Story by Idaho Press Tribune, February 8, 2019 by Reporter Betsy Russell.
Among those testifying so far this morning at the open public hearing on health and welfare issues:
Retired pastor Jon Brown told the House and Senate Health & Welfare committees, “Five years ago I brought you demographics about the Medicaid gap group. Today, I’m tickled to death — I am pleased as punch,” now that Idaho’s voters have passed Medicaid expansion. Brown shared the story of his father, a coal miner who shot himself to death...
Thursday, February 7, 2019
As President of United Way of Treasure Valley, I see first-hand the value of health insurance as a work support for all working Idahoans. United Way’s ALICE Report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) is a snapshot of Idaho’s hard working, low-wage earners, and is the only data providing cost of living estimates in each Idaho census tract. ALICE doesn’t make enough to meet a basic survival budget, let alone afford the full cost of health insurance. Lack of healthcare has a tremendous impact on the daily lives of Idaho’s working...
Friday, January 25, 2019
Each fall, when large numbers of area companies hold their workplace giving campaigns, a group of Loaned Executives works with United Way to raise our visibility and reach our fundraising goal. Concentrated into just four months, it's hard work, but also a tremendous opportunity to get acquainted with local issues and those working on them. It's also a chance to network in the business community, and make contacts that can later benefit the Loaned Executive's company.
Companies typically choose rising stars for their Loaned Execs, or...