Creating Pathways Toward Stability Through Mentoring

UNITED WE WIN by helping at-risk students improve their reading skills and prepare for their future. Students who come from households that are at or near poverty, more often than not are also struggling in school. Through your support, United Way has partnered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Jackson County to help students and their parents develop a pathway toward success. Site-Based Mentors are encouraged to work with their littles on literacy, financial stability, and creating future-focused goals. BBBS also uses United Way’s Self-Sufficiency tool with the little’s parents and are revisiting these documents on an annual basis. This combined process helps students believe and prepare for a better future for themselves, while helping their parents work toward financial stability in the present. Here is just one example of how your support is changing lives in Jackson County.

This January the site-based program added a new match. Allison and Sue were matched and quickly began working on reading goals. It is helpful that they meet in the library at lunch, so they began reading chapter books together. Allison gets to choose the chapter book and they rotate reading the chapters together. They chose to work on reading because Allison does very well in math but struggles with reading and comprehension. Having her Big spend time reading with her has helped to grow their relationship as well as improve Allison’s reading skills.

Every child in the United Way supported Site-Based Program is showing improvement with their reading proficiency, math or financial skills. Your support is making a difference and is preparing our youth. They are developing their pathway to success and stability.

Thank you

Help others like Allison

Read more Stories of IMPACT!

Subscribe to IMPACTS!

State Budget Signed with Significant Investments for ALICE

October 10, 2025

Kalamazoo Continuum of Care Comprehensive Strategic Plan to End Homelessness in Kalamazoo County Sessions

September 26, 2025

MCSC Announces September and October Trainings

September 17, 2025

Proposals Sought for Day/Night Shelter Services To Aid Unhoused During Upcoming Cold Weather Season

September 16, 2025

United Ways Joining Forces In Alliance to Benefit Local Families

September 15, 2025

Volunteer Fair Connects Helping Hands with Community

September 10, 2025

Investing in What Matters Most

August 4, 2025

Annual Survey: Kalamazoo County Homelessness Rising

July 18, 2025

Meet Logan and Lindsey: Senior Associates of Donor Relations

July 17, 2025

Housing Kalamazoo: Collaboration for Housing Equity

July 16, 2025