United Ways Invest in Education to Help PA Students Thrive

Across Pennsylvania, backpacks are being packed, classrooms are being prepared, and families are getting ready for another school year. Local United Ways are busy, too.

From putting books into the hands of young children to providing school supplies, expanding access to child care, supporting family literacy, and helping remove barriers that can get in the way of learning, United Ways are working alongside families, schools, and community partners to help young people succeed.

These investments matter far beyond the first day of school. Education is one of the most effective tools we have to break the cycle of poverty, build strong workforce pipelines, and create long-term community stability.

Education Today Shapes Financial Security Tomorrow

For families already stretching their budgets to cover housing, food, transportation, child care, and other essentials, education can be an important pathway toward greater financial security.

The State of ALICE in Pennsylvania 2026 report shows a clear connection between educational attainment and financial hardship. In Pennsylvania in 2024, the percentage of workers living below the ALICE Threshold decreased significantly as education levels increased:

38% of workers with less than a high school diploma lived below the ALICE Threshold.
28% of workers with a high school diploma or GED lived below the Threshold.
25% of workers with some college or an associate degree lived below the Threshold.
Just 10% of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher lived below the Threshold.

The foundation for future success starts early. When children have opportunities to learn, develop new skills, discover their strengths, and stay engaged in school, we are helping prepare them for what comes next. And when we help remove barriers to education for children in ALICE households, we can help create pathways to greater opportunity for an entire family.

Building Strong Readers From the Start

One of the earliest building blocks is literacy.

Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that children who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to leave high school without graduating than proficient readers.

That isn’t just an education issue. It’s a community issue. The children learning their first words today will become the employees, entrepreneurs, parents, neighbors, and community leaders shaping Pennsylvania’s future.

That’s why United Ways across Pennsylvania invest in early literacy programs that make reading and learning more accessible to families through our partnership with the Clinton Foundation and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy through Too Small to Fail. Cohort 2 launched in 2026 and expanded the effort though United Ways in Clarion County; Pocono Mountains; Susquehanna Valley; Southern Chester County; Southwestern Pennsylvania; and Carlisle and Cumberland Counties.

Children with Literacy Resources from United Way of Venango & Titsuville Region Too Small To Fail Program

Investing in Pennsylvania’s Future

Supporting education means making sure students have what they need to learn and succeed. That’s where local United Ways and their community partners step in. From school supplies and Nurse’s Pantries to child care, mentoring, literacy, after-school programs, and career exploration, United Ways are helping remove those barriers and create opportunities for young people. These investments meet immediate needs while also helping prepare the next generation for long-term success, a stronger workforce, and greater financial security.

This back-to-school season, see how some local United Ways across Pennsylvania are helping students learn, grow, and succeed – click to read more!