Education

What we know:

23% of new mothers in Berrien County do not have a high school diploma.
Berrien County’s average graduation rate is 86%, but the gap between schools is widening
Children develop much of their capacity to learn by the age of three. At that time, the brain has grown to 90 percent of its adult weight.
Evidence suggests that children who are not fluent readers and writers by the end of third grade are less likely to catch up with their peers

United Way’s Response

Early-Childhood Education - programs that help children enter school ready to learn and give parents what they need to help their children succeed.

Increasing Graduation Rates - programs that keep kids engaged and give them role models for good behavior.

Our Community Partners:

Early Childhood Education

Parents As Teachers - Berrien Regional Education Service Agency
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters – InterCare Community Health Network
Childcare Scholarships – The Salvation Army, Benton Harbor Corps
Preschool Scholarships – YMCA Family Center of Niles-Buchanan

Increasing Graduation Rates

Center for Achievement – Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA Family Center
Jobs for America’s Graduates – Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren
Lunch Buddies – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass County
Senior Volunteer and Intergenerational Programs - Area Agency on Aging, Region IV
Learning for Life - Boy Scouts of America, SW MI Council
After-School and Summer Program – Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor
Computers in Households – Bridges to Digital Excellence
Therapeutic and Occupational Support – Gateway
Economics in the Classroom – Junior Achievement
Mentoring and Physical Education – Reclaiming, Equipping and Directing Youth
Fresh Start – Multi-Cultural Involvement Center

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