The emphasis right now is on education, specifically the "90 by 2020" campaign to raise the high school graduation rate in Anchorage to 90 percent in nine years.
To that end, United Way is trying to raise $10 million over the next 10 years to provide counselors, tutors, mentors, scholarships, activities and whatever else students and their families might need to make sure young people get their high school diplomas -- preferably on time.
That's in addition to the yearly fundraising goal of $10.5 million, which United Way hopes to raise by the end of the year through workplace, matching and individual donations.
Where will your money go? As always, you can choose specific areas or even individual organizations to support. United Way has about 50 funding partners.
If you're interested in the 90 by 2020 campaign, your donation might well help hire a counselor to work at Lake Hood and Susitna elementary schools to connect kids and families who might need help with organizations and individuals who can help. United Way is just beginning pilot programs there in cooperation with the Anchorage School District -- "a work in progress," as United Way spokeswoman Minta Montalbo says.
Donors can pledge payroll deductions at work, or give online.
But in trying to build a community determined to increase graduation rates and improve prospects for all students, the agency needs "on-the-ground" volunteers, people who can give that precious time, often more valuable than money and often even harder to give. Mentors, tutors, coaches -- as this work in progress develops, demand for more such volunteers will grow. And that's where 90 by 2020 will work, in libraries and playing fields and a bench near the playground.
We all can help in more ways than one.
BOTTOM LINE: United Way aims for long-term help. Check out www.liveunitedanchorage.org.
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