United Way of Skagit County

Early Childhood Development - United Way of Skagit County has online Early Learning Calendars for families with pre-school aged children in English and Spanish. Our funding for the Early Learning Coordinator (ELC) brings a common standard of early learning to schools. The ELC does capacity building to create a comprehensive, coordinated system of early learning support and resources that increase family engagement and establish Skagit County as a leader within WA State's early learning efforts. The ELC helps coordinate the Children's Council of Skagit County, an effort to focus on the importance of the early years of development and the critical role of the caregiver as well as support for the Family Resource Center. The ELC also works on the Help Me Grow Early Learning Framework.

Welcome Baby - United Way has brought the Welcome Baby (WB) program to Skagit Valley Hospital. Our bilingual Welcome Baby Coordinator typically meets with newborns and their parents to provide links to a myriad of resources and the knowledge that others are here to support them. Our coordinator follows up with those families and registers them for the newsletter and to provide support. They introduce families to parenting and early learning resources in the community designed to promote literacy and kindergarten readiness. The coordinator also provides referrals to service providers in the areas of health and wellness, family support, basic needs, childcare, early learning, special needs, and recreational activities. Last year they made 503 referrals to services and resources. They are available by phone and text to respond to questions and concerns from the families. Visits are made to the families of all newborn babies (when invited by the parents). The "2018 State of Children & Families Report" states that 60% of births in Skagit County are to Medicaid clients. Low-income populations are less likely to have knowledge of or access to basic needs, support, and community resources. Low-income and migrant children are less likely to be prepared for kindergarten (28% and 14% respectively, compared to 36% for all incoming kindergarteners in Skagit County.) This program was transferred to Skagit County Public Health.

Diaper Bank - United Way took on the diaper bank program on July 1st of 2021 because just as food banks are a dependable source of food, diaper banks supply a basic need for families in crisis. Diaper banks collect, store and donate diapers to a network of partner agencies who distribute free diapers to families facing financial hardship. The mission of the diaper bank is to ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers for their infants and toddlers and to raise community awareness that "basic human needs" includes diapers.The vision of the diaper bank is a two-generation approach that focuses on creating opportunities for meeting the needs of vulnerable children and their parents. Two-generation approaches draw from findings that the well-being of parents is crucial to their children's social-emotional, physical, and economic well-being. At the same time, a parent's ability to succeed in school and the workplace is substantially affected by how well their children are doing. In early 2023, the diaper bank moved to the Helping Hands Food Bank facility in a partnership program that allows the diaper bank to operate with low overhead and high results. This partnership allows UWSC to reach families in East Skagit County who were typically underserved. Listening sessions with local churches lead to the inclusion of adult incontinence items for seniors.

Financial People Project:Peer led classes provide the tools necessary to build financial stability - and a link to life-long success. Volunteer Peer Leaders are trained to work together as a team to offer group financial education sessions in English and Spanish at local non-profit organizations. Peer Leaders facilitate guest speakers from financial institutions who present the FDIC Money Smart curriculum to group participants. Lessons focus on: 1) budgeting, 2) debt reduction, 3) bank services and checking accounts, 4) credit, 5) loans and 6) savings. Since inception, 208 participants and 19 peer leaders have graduated from the Skagit Financial PEOPLE Project. In 2022-23, four six-week sessions were held and fifty-one individuals graduated and received a Skagit Asset Building Coalition Certificate. Varsity in Volunteerism:Youth United Varsity in Volunteerism (ViV) is a program of the United Way of Skagit County and United General District 304 in partnership with local school districts. ViV clubs are active in Anacortes, Burlington, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley High Schools. The program provides an extracurricular option for students who want to make a difference in their community and gain important skills for success. Like other school-based clubs and teams, ViV is led by a coach. At each school, the ViV coach works with students who learn topics such as communication and job skills, exploring school and career interests, and more. The coach helps students find volunteer opportunities and track their hours. Those who complete 100 hours of service receive a varsity letter in volunteerism from their high school during a spring ceremony. Varsity in Volunteerism (ViV) encourages and recognizes high school students to give back to their communities through service.Since ViV began in 2011, students have collectively provided over 50,000 hours of service!Health and Income Programs:United Way of Skagit County works with many community partners to provide support for health and financial security. We are on the advisory board of Population Health Trust. The Population Health Trust (PHT or Trust) is a board of community leaders with a shared commitment to improve the quality of life for everyone in Skagit County. PHT is appointed by the Skagit County Board of Health to advise on issues that can improve the health and wellness of all. PHT believes that by coordinating our efforts we can create opportunities that strengthen health. PHT works to create healthier and more equitable communities by: 1) encouraging health and wellness within the community, 2) working together across sectors on projects designed to improve well-being, and 3) strengthening Integration of health services and other systems such as Public Health, education, and social service agencies. In addition, United Way provides financial support to create and maintain a website disseminating Skagit County community indicators in coordination with Population Health Trust. This website provides critical information for nonprofit organizations, schools and public agencies while giving individuals easy to understand one-stop information about local trends and statistics.United Way of Skagit County also serves on the board of directors for the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County. This endeavor works to provide economic growth programs and opportunities for small, medium, large, and emerging businesses, with an emphasis on services for underserved communities.Dolly Parton Imagination Library:Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family's income. After launching in 1995, the program grew quickly.The mission of the Imagination Library of Washington is to foster a love of reading among young learners by ensuring equitable access to free monthly books mailed directly to their homes from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Our vision is that all early learners have developed a quality, inclusive home library, are inspired to read, ready to learn, and are excelling academically, creating a thriving child and a vibrant, healthy community.Reading begins at birth and the benefits of a home library go far beyond the books. Parents and guardians are a child's first and best teacher. By providing books every month at no cost to families, the Imagination Library increases childhood literacy rates, fosters a love of books, and promotes a culture of reading among all families in Washington. The Imagination Library launched throughout Skagit County on June 14, 2023 and enrolled over 500 children within the first 12 hours of launch. 747 children registered to receive books by June 30, 2023.