United Is the Way™ We Open Doors to Educational Opportunity—From a Child’s First Story to a College Diploma.
Education is one of the most powerful pathways to economic opportunity. But in King County, one of the wealthiest regions in the country, too many students are falling behind their peers.
children from low-income households enter kindergarten behind their peers
students leave college due to financial barriers
higher rates of exclusionary discipline for BIPOC students
These are predictable outcomes of systems built on inequity. United Way of King County invests in programs and partnerships working to change that at every stage of a student’s life. The programs we support are ParentChild+, the Racial Equity Coalition, Bridge to Finish, and Pack the Bus.
Real People. Real Stories.
Early Learning
ParentChild+ prepares children from low-income families for kindergarten and gives parents the tools, confidence, and community to be their child’s first teacher. It’s about early learning, community belonging, and even workforce development for program participants who later become home visitors.
High School Graduation
The Racial Equity Coalition (REC) builds communities of belonging for middle and high school students of color across intersections including students who are neurodiverse or part of the LGBTQIA+ community—with programs, mentorship, and cultural affirmation to foster continued engagement in school and increased graduation rates.
College Completion
Bridge to Finish wraps post–secondary students in support: emergency grants, food access, housing help, financial coaching, and more right on campus. By pairing these wraparound services through Benefits Hubs with statewide advocacy and partnerships, we’re building a network of support that extends beyond campus—because a broken car or a missed rent payment shouldn’t end someone’s education.
Support Our Work
Education can open doors, but only if we remove the barriers. Your investment reaches children before kindergarten, elementary students in the summertime, middle and high schoolers who need to know they belong, and postsecondary students one emergency away from dropping out
Thanks to Our Supporters
