The Champion of Children initiative encompasses all of United Way of Central Ohio’s efforts in education, from funding and public policy to volunteers and engagement.
Since 1994, Champion of Children has advocated for and demonstrated the value of quality learning in central Ohio. Additionally, it has built awareness across the community to facilitate access to quality educational programs for lower income working families.
In 2010, Champion of Children joined forces with United Way of Central Ohio to combine efforts to address the educational needs of our children, from birth through graduation. Champion of Children embraces six critical actions that serve to generate change: creating synergies for action; acting as a respected voice and educational resource; standing as a platform for new ideas and effective approaches to educational change; driving financial support toward education; inspiring personal action; and recognizing outstanding work and collaboration.
Champion of Children strives to cohesively unify and motivate individuals and organizations that are working together to help prepare children for school and to help youth graduate from high school well-prepared for the future. These efforts have created and will continue to create lasting quality-of-life changes in the community.
Champion of Children values recognition of outstanding work and collaboration in the area of education. With its online “Education Journal,” Champion of Children provides a platform for new ideas and effective approaches for collaboration, and most importantly, for action — motivating and aligning efforts to improve education in our community.
Champion of Children believes that anyone who assists in any way in the advancement of educational goals for youth is a champion of children.
Join us. Become a champion today!
For more information on this initiative, please contact Michele Bell, Champion of Children Project Manager, 614.227.2766.
Read Franklin County's Children, Compiled By Learn 4 Life, Community Research Partners and United Way of Central Ohio:
Why We Need You to be a Champion of Children:
- Nearly 30% of kindergarten students in Franklin County public schools scored in the lowest category on the literacy readiness assessment, indicating a need for intervention and additional support.
- Disadvantaged children come to school at least two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills.
- The high school graduation rate* for Ohio’s economically disadvantaged students was 72.7% compared to 88.7% for students who were not economically disadvantaged. *2007-2008 data
- Each year, one in 10 students fails to graduate from high school in Franklin County’s 16 public school districts. The economic impact is staggering: If only 1,000 more dropouts graduated, central Ohio’s gross regional product would increase by $17 million and state and local revenues by $1.9 million — each year.
