For Immediate Release Contact: Jill Cox;
February 9, 2010 919-834-5200/cell 919-215-4341
United Way of North Carolina Awarded Grant to Advance Education Work
Raleigh –United Way of North Carolina today announced receipt of grant funding from United Way Worldwide (UWW) to further its educational mission to cut high school dropout numbers in half by 2018 and graduate all students college-ready. The Teachers Matter project will look at opportunities to enhance the success of North Carolina’s teachers through advocacy and communications at both the state and local level.
“We know that success in school is the foundation our children build their futures upon,” said Jill Cox, Director of Advocacy and Communications at United Way of North Carolina. “By working to make sure teachers have adequate tools to shape the future of our children, we ensure their ability to compete in the global job market once they complete school. The grant funding we received will help us gather education leaders, community leaders, teachers and parents to advocate for solutions empower teachers and students to achieve success together.”
United Way Worldwide’s Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Challenge Grant is designed to help states and local communities develop communication and advocacy strategies to increase the demand for effective teaching and create tools that United Ways across the system will be able to use. Funding for UWW’s work has been provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
United Way of North Carolina will be working with United Way of Forsyth County, United Way of Iredell County, United Way of Lee County and United Way of Rowan County to develop the Teachers Matter project. Other partners already committed to this work include Communities in Schools and the North Carolina Association of Educators.
“Much of the work to ensure that today’s students will be prepared for tomorrow’s jobs begins in the classroom,” said Steve Taylor, UWW’s Vice President and Counsel for Public Policy. “Many of the communities in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee that are receiving this grant are already working collaboratively to identify what’s working in our classrooms and who is doing the most innovative work..”
“Working together, integrating our networks, and building on the foundation that’s already been laid by those in this community who’ve been working on this issue, will be an important first step,” Cox said. “We’re excited about this initiative, not only because it’s the right thing to do for our children, but, as an organization, it aligns with our strong commitment to education, income and health through LIVE UNITED.”
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United Way of North Carolina is a statewide membership organization supporting 58 local United Ways across the state with technical expertise, training, board and staff development, advocacy and 2-1-1. Spearheaded by United Way of North Carolina, NC2-1-1 is an easy to remember, three-digit telephone number that connects people to critical health and human service programs. Today, NC 2-1-1 reaches 73% of NC residents. United Way of North Carolina is actively working to expand 2-1-1 services statewide.