WOMEN UNITED

2024 Women United 

The Women United affinity group is set to relaunch in Spring of 2024. For more information or to join the group, please reach out to Marina Gutierrez at mgutierrez@unitedwaysb.org or 805-882-0505. 

Mission

As an integral part of United Way, the mission of Women United is to mobilize a powerful leadership network of women to strengthen the Santa Barbara community through a focused investment of talent, compassion, and philanthropy. Led by United Way and Women United supporters we advocate, support and expand the ongoing educational initiatives of United Way of Santa Barbara County.

Click Here to view the Information Sheet

 

Focus

Our focus is on expanding United Way’s early educational opportunities for local children. Our major efforts support the United Learning Center. The United Learning Center is a free literacy tutoring program for local kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Each child received tailored instruction based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, which incorporates multisensory teaching methods and systematic, explicit lessons to build reading mastery. Each child is assessed individually and receives two weekly sessions at one of the United Learning Centers in Santa Barbara.

The United Learning Center's services are needed now more than ever before with pandemic-related learning loss. The stakes are especially high for students in their elementary school years. Without additional learning support, local children will struggle with the effects of the pandemic’s school closures for years to come. We make a difference in the futures of Santa Barbara County’s children and families by ensuring that more students succeed in school and beyond. 

 

Case For Action

Local children and families need the support and efforts of women like you through Women United to build better futures for all in our community. Due to limited funding, hundreds of children and families are on waiting lists for United Way’s educational programs. Your involvement and membership gift will ensure that more underserved children and families succeed during crucial early elementary school years and well beyond.

FITS 2021

+ 56% of students in grades 3-11 in Santa Barbara County tested below proficiency according to the California Assessment of Student Performance.

+ 78% of economically disadvantaged 3rd-grade students in Santa Barbara County did not meet standards in English Language Arts. 

+ Local Santa Barbara County students are experiencing learning loss our community has never seen before. 68% of 3rd-grade students did not meet their education standards. 

+ On average, United Learning Center participants have demonstrated a 10.2% increase in their phonics skills and an improvement of 2 reading levels.

+ Young students and their families will make life-long positive improvements that will significantly expand their life opportunities.

 

Become a Member

Become a member by filling out the online membership form and a Women United representative will contact you shortly to discuss and complete your membership. Click here for the current member list Members make an annual gift of $1,500 or more in support of United Way of Santa Barbara County educational programs.