August kicks off the school year — and it can be a stressful time for struggling families. Too often, students in low-income families can't afford new backpacks or school supplies. In addition, students living in poverty are less likely to attend quality preschool, graduate high school or enroll in college.

The Town of Palm Beach United Way supports early childhood education and middle school and high school programs that help put children on the path toward positive development and prevent poor outcomes in adulthood.
Children are more successful in school and throughout their lives when they have had the benefit of high quality learning experiences in their early years. The Town of Palm Beach United Way invests in early learning to promote school readiness and prepare kids as lifelong learners.
A high school credential is a minimum requirement for higher education, post-secondary certification programs and most career opportunities. The Town of Palm Beach United Way helps improve graduation rates by investing in programs for middle and high school students.
PARTNER AGENCY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Potentials School at
The Arc of Palm Beach County

The Arc's Potentials School is a tuition free public charter school for children with special needs in grades pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school provides academically and therapeutically engaging experiences to help students increase their independence.

The agency is currently enrolling students for the new school year. This past May, three students graduated from the program.

The school has a variety of volunteer opportunities, including reading buddies, arts and crafts helpers, music and sports instruction, and classroom assistants.
For more information contact Bairbre Flood at bflood@arcpbc.org.
Take Stock in Children Student Mentoring

Take Stock in Children helps low-income students break the cycle of poverty through one-on-one mentoring, college readiness coaching and post-secondary retention services. Upon high school graduation, each student receives a guaranteed college scholarship.

The program currently serves 570 students in 29 schools in Palm Beach County and 600 post-secondary students. Take Stock recently awarded more than $1.52 million in Florida Prepaid Scholarships to 164 Class of 2019 graduates.

Take Stock is always in need of volunteer mentors who help provide social-emotional support to at-risk youth. Learn more at TakeStockPalmBeach.org/Mentors .
“My parents came from a different country and they expected me to go to college, but they don’t know how. I didn’t know how too, so I had to find a way. Take Stock was that way that allowed me to make it to a four-year university right off the bat.” ~John C.
“I really enjoy being a mentor. It helps the kids to stay focused on their education and do what they need to do to learn life skills and obviously go to college. It’s a very rewarding program, I think anyone who has the time can participate." ~Mr. McDonald
Caregiving Youth Project

Through its Caregiving Youth Project , the American Association of Caregiving Youth provides services to middle and high school youth caregivers to reduce at-home stress and help them achieve academic and personal success.

During the 2018-2019 school year the high school graduation rate was 98.1%. Each year more than 600 kids are served through the program. This summer, caregiving youth participated in a summer camp at FAU and spent quality time with adult mentors. One mentor took her mentee to get a driver's license.
Achievement Centers
Early Learning Program

ACCF's Early Learning Program promotes school reaadiness by providing children from under-resourced families with early childhood education in a safe, nurturing environment that supports physical, social-emotional and cognitive development.

This summer ACCF has been building a new natural playscape playground and preparing classrooms for the new school year.

Last year, 82% of preschoolers who graduated from ACCF met the benchmarks for Kindergarten readiness, compared to 48% of children from low-income families nationwide.
This year, the Town of Palm Beach United Way is investing $356,600 into 8 early learning, middle school and high school programs at 8 nonprofit partner agencies in Palm Beach County that will help 4,194 children prepare for bright futures.

Click the links below to learn more about these programs and the difference they make in the lives of Palm Beach County youth.
BOXED FOR SUCCESS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
JULY 8 - AUGUST 2

The 7th Annual Boxed for Success School Supply Drive ends Friday, August 2nd. School supplies benefit children from low income families at three Title 1 elementary schools in Palm Beach County: Berkshire, Forest Hill and Wynnebrook.

Help us provide supplies to students in need so they can start the new school year ready to succeed. Click the link below for information on drop off locations, supplies needs and our box decorating contest.
One Community. One Goal.