United Learning Center

“When he first began tutoring with United Way, he struggled with basic reading skills, such as letter names and sounds. Since receiving tutoring with the United Learning Center, he has made significant progress and is much more confident about learning to read. As a teacher, I have seen a positive change in his behavior and his attitude toward learning.”

“Brandon, one of our first grade students, only knew a few sight words and wasn’t able to read 3-letter words. Since entering the United Learning Center he has been very focused and cooperative. Brandon now has more than doubled his sight word knowledge and is emerging as a reader.”

“We believe that the United Learning Center will provide outstanding opportunities for these children and their families and will help make Santa Barbara an even stronger community.”

“Schools cannot do it alone. One of our students, Anna, lives with her single mom and two siblings in subsidized housing. During elementary school, Anna attended after-school literacy tutoring, break programs, and Fun in the Sun, all provided by our partnership with United Way, providing additional academic tutoring, literacy intervention and more. We are so proud of Anna, now a senior in high school who was just accepted to her dream college where she plans to major in biology.”

“Our student was having a lot of difficulties in class. The United Learning Center’s instructor gave this girl, who was reading well over three reading grade levels behind, a chance and she has now excelled beyond belief. Her improvement is not just due to the academic development and the individualized literacy programming offered through the United Learning Center; it’s also due to the relationships. It’s the kindness and patience shown by the tutors to their students that help them make a fantastic improvement, not just academically, but in their lives overall.”