Alexandria, VA (June 9, 2014) – Building on its long-standing relationship with United Way, UPS (NYSE: UPS) and its employees are investing more than $5 million to give more children a strong educational foundation through early grade reading skills. Of that investment, $1.5 million will support United Ways to increase school readiness and attendance and reduce summer learning loss. Working closely with the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, United Ways in nearly 100 communities across the country are working to ensure more children are reading proficiently by the end of third grade, which is when students shift from learning to read to reading to learn.
“United Way is proud to work with UPS and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to help more children succeed in school and in life,” said Stacey D. Stewart, U.S. president, United Way Worldwide. “This partnership is an example of how engaging people and organizations across communities can advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all people.”
“UPS has been committed to working with United Way for more than 30 years,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation. “We have a shared vision of strengthening the reading skills of children who will represent tomorrow’s workforce and are happy to assist in advancing education with this prominent initiative.”
UPS and its employees were the first company to raise $1 billion in contributions to United Way, with focused efforts on education and financial stability. United Way is working closely with the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to provide technical assistance to select communities that are working to ensure children are reading on grade level so they stay on track to succeed in school and graduate from high school on time.
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About United Way
United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org.
About the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Launched in May 2010, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a collaborative effort of funders, nonprofit partners, government agencies, business leaders, states and communities across the nation to ensure that many more children from low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared for college, a career and active citizenship. It focuses on reading proficiency by the end of third grade, a key predictor of high school graduation and a milestone missed by fully 80 percent of low-income children.
Media Contact
Amanda Ponzar, Amanda.ponzar@unitedway.org, 703-836-7112, x253