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Press Release

Statement from Stacey D. Stewart, U.S. President, UWW regarding State of the Union Address

“One point the President made that’s really important to United Way is the intersection between education and financial stability, especially for young people.

The economy is getting stronger, but it’s also true that twice as many youth are unemployed than adults in the U.S., and even more for young men and women of color.

Tonight, United Way is calling on President Obama to go further.  As part of America’s strategy to sustain a strong economy and boost higher education, the President should champion investment in solutions that work to help employ youth, like evidence-based apprenticeships, internships, and work-study programs.

Youth employment is a critical issue gaining momentum, with leaders like the World Bank, Clinton Global Initiative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and many others honing in on youth ages 16-24 who are not in school or employed.  The link between jobs and education is a clear one, and leaders of all sectors should reinforce that investing in education, skills training and workforce development pays for itself in the long- and short-term.”

Background

United Way is engaged in a national and global conversation about youth employment.

A recent survey of local United Way CEOs put the spotlight on youth employment as critical to building stronger communities. Find a background paper about the survey and United Way’s work in that area here.

Joining United Way in this national youth employment conversation are:

  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
  • Opportunity Nation
  • Be the Change Inc.
  • Young Invincibles
  • Job's for America's Graduates (JAG)
  • National Collaboration for Youth/National Human Services Assembly
  • Young Invincibles
  • SparkAction/Forum for Youth Investment

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About United Way                          

United Way, a worldwide movement in 41 countries and territories, includes nearly 1,200 local organizations in the United States. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. LIVE UNITED is United Way’s call to action for everyone to give, to advocate and to volunteer to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit: UnitedWay.org

About Stacey D. Stewart, U.S. President of United Way Worldwide

Stacey is currently responsible for leading 1,200 local and state United Ways in collective impact, strategic partnership development, diversity and inclusion, business model transformation, and policy and advocacy.  Before becoming President, Stacey served as Executive Vice President for Community Impact Leadership and Learning, where she led the transformation of communities in the areas of education, financial stability and health.  Prior to joining United Way Worldwide, Ms. Stewart held several positions at Fannie Mae, including Senior Vice President of Community and Charitable Giving and Chief Diversity Officer.  Ms. Stewart was also President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fannie Mae Foundation.

Stacey has a master of business administration degree in finance from the University of Michigan and a bachelor of arts in economics from Georgetown University.  She also holds honorary degrees from Trinity University, Morgan State University, Texas Southern University and Alabama A&M University.  She serves on multiple national Advisory Councils and Boards, including the US Board of United Way, Alumni Board of Governors for the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital and the Board of Trustees for PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust.

Stacey is married to Jarvis C. Stewart, Chairman and Managing Partner of Ian Reid, LLC a strategic advisory firm based in Washington, DC. The Stewarts have two children Savannah 8 and Madeleine 10.

Media Contact

Eileen Lin
eileen.lin@unitedway.org
571.314.4660