United Way of Greater Atlanta has received a $400,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support early learning initiatives and increase family engagement in community childcare centers and schools. This investment aligns with United Way’s Child Well-Being agenda, and its work in improving early childhood education across the metro area.

United Way is focused on Child Well-Being because communities can thrive only when children are thriving. United Way has analyzed data and identified best practices to help the “red zones” – communities that lack the resources, social supports and opportunities that children need to reach their full potential. By identifying these communities most in need, United Way can effectively allocate resources and attention to help struggling communities thrive and move from a “red zone” to a “green zone.” The Foundation’s grant will help fund these UWGA initiatives between March 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019.

“Through this very generous grant, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has enabled us to continue to assist the areas where our investments are needed most,” said Milton Little, CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. “Our ten-year goal is to improve the well-being of 250,000 children and therein, create a brighter future for the entire region.”

The grant will continue to fund the LIFE Path Initiative, funded by the WKKF in 2014.  Life Path aims to increase family engagement through training, coaching and resources focused on improving family leadership within communities of low and very low child well-being including Clayton and DeKalb counties.

United Way creates opportunities for volunteers to positively impact the 500,000 children in Atlanta living in communities with low well-being rates. Sharing time, talents and strengths inspires children and puts everyone on a better path. In addition, gifts to the United Way Child Well-Being Impact Fund are invested in areas needing the greatest attention. Through these contributions, a thriving and “green” Greater Atlanta will be established.