Education

We believe education should begin in infancy and continue throughout our lives, that it can take many forms outside the traditional classroom, and that it should foster strong character and a healthy lifestyle as well as academic fitness. The Mesa United Way Partner Agencies and programs listed below advance those objectives in our community. (For more on the agencies and programs, click on the logos or the Info links.)

Agency: A New Leaf

Program: La Mesita Child Development Center

The vision of La Mesita Child Development Center is that all homeless children receive the resources and support they need to weather the challenges of homelessness. Its goal is to provide a comprehensive program of licensed and accredited child care, age-appropriate curriculum and specialized services to promote the healthy development and academic performance of homeless children and youth.
Further Info: http://www.turnanewleaf.org

Agency: Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley

Program: Project Learn - Teen

In an effort to help combat academic failure among young people from disadvantaged circumstances, the Boys and Girls Club Project Learn helps to inspire youth to become high-achieving students by incorporating academically beneficial activities - called "high-yield learning activities" - into after-school Club activities. The program features the following major components: tutoring and help with homework; high-yield learning and leisure activities; parent and adult involvement; collaboration with schools; and incentives. These activities are designed to promote among participating youth a sense of belonging, usefulness, competence, and influence or power.
Further Info:  http://www.clubzona.com

71% of Mesa's children ages 6-17 live in families where both parents or the single parent are in the labor force, increasing the likelihood that the child will spend a significant portion of their formative years in child care. Not only do parents require accessible, affordable child care in order to meet their workplace responsibilities, children need many of the same things from their child care providers that they do from their parents - stability, nurturing, variety of experience, safety, and one-to-one interaction - in order to achieve optimum development. Offered at low or no cost, they follow a youth development strategy that has been proven effective in guiding youth through personal, educational, and social development, allowing large numbers of youth to fill their potential and become positive, value-oriented and productive citizens.
Further Info: http://www.clubzona.com

The mission of College Bound Mesa is to act as a catalyst for low-income Mesa students with academic potential to complete college. College Bound Mesa is a community resource to help students aspire, transition to, and succeed in college. They believe that socio-economic status is not a determining factor in a student’s future, and that the dream of higher education is reachable. College Bound Mesa nurtures that potential.

With the goal of building character, discipline, and confidence in the lives of Mesa's at-risk youth, the Gene Lewis Youth Boxing program offers instruction in the art of amateur boxing. The program is designed to help promote a healthy respect for one's self as well as for family and community. Boys' and girls' energy is directed into constructive, supervised activities that will help lead them toward good citizenship and high standards of personal conduct.

Info: www.genelewisboxingclub.com

Agency: Girl Scouts - Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc.

Program: Girl Scouting in Mesa

The mission of the Girl Scouts is to create girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. In addition to its traditional Girl Scout troops, the Council has established a diverse array of free outreach programs that deliver Girl Scout programs and services to low-income neighborhoods, housing projects, and homeless shelters. Research shows that families living in low-income and public housing are often restricted in their resources - time, money education, as well as access to community assets and experiences. These families are also more likely to expose girls to certain risk factors, including a higher level of tobacco and drug use, low levels of fitness, poor nutrition, and engagement in other risky behaviors. Girl Scouts helps to address these risks through development of character assets and leadership qualities.
Further Info:  http://www.girlscoutsaz.org

Agency: Mesa Community Action Network, Inc.

In a partnership with Mesa Community College and Mesa United Way, the IDA program offers matched funds to qualifiying individuals and families for the purchase of a home, small business ownership or education. Applicants agree to save regularly over a period of time and participate in financial management training. For every dollar saved, another dollar is matched. Upon completion of the savings plan and purchase of your designated asset, match funds are dispersed to appropriate third parties. 

Program:  Y-We-R-one Spirit Mind and Body

To increase the number of teens and preteens residing in Mesa receiving knowledge about the YMCA's four character values of of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility by interacting with positive adult role models at the Mesa YMCA.

Agency: Women of Power International

Program: GED Preparation

The primary mission of the Women of Power International  is to help the hurting to heal by assessing the needs of women, and providing resource services that are necessary to help them advance their educations and job skills while building self-esteem, and developing independence. We pay particular attention to women who are vulnerable, abused, oppressed, living in poverty, socially challenges and economically disadvantaged.