United Way and John Deere Join Forces to Support Youth Opportunity

John Deere and United Way partner globally to fight hunger, invest in youth education, and engage employees in community service. This article is part of December 2025 celebrations for John Deere’s ten-year partnership in Europe & the Middle East, decades-long partnership in the US, and founding membership in the President’s Circle of the United Way Leading Corporate Partners Program, which recognizes partners who raise or invest $5 million USD annually. 

In France’s zones d’éducation prioritaire—areas where schools receive extra support to address deep-rooted educational disparities—thousands of students face steep challenges, from learning disabilities to limited access to opportunity. Ilyes is one of them. 

“I’m dyslexic,” he shares, “but that hasn’t stopped me from wanting to learn and grow.” 

 In ninth grade, Ilyes faced a high-stakes oral exam that would mark the end of middle school and shape his next steps. The pressure was intense, but support came just in time. 

Through United Way’s Alliance pour l’Éducation and its partnership with John Deere, Ilyes matched with corporate volunteers who helped him build confidence and communication skills. “They saw beyond my difficulties,” he says. “They helped me stand taller and believe in myself.” 

This kind of support is part of a broader initiative reaching students in underserved communities across France. In 2024 alone, more than 1,100 youth participated in mentorship, psychosocial skill-building, and career readiness workshops. These opportunities help students build resilience and prepare for meaningful futures. 

“I realized how important encouragement is,” Ilyes says. “With a little help and understanding, we can overcome anything.” 

France is just one example of how United Way and John Deere are helping young people chart a course toward a brighter future. Across Europe and the Middle East, United Way partners with businesses, governments, and nonprofits to expand youth development programs and close opportunity gaps.