Take Action Menu

You can make a difference in the lives of Massachusetts children.  Choose an activity from the list below or send us your own ideas of how to get involved.  Jump to: Give | Advocate | Volunteer

GIVE

• Give to help ensure children enter school ready to learn
  

  Research shows that every dollar spent on quality early childhood interventions returns $14-$17 in long-term savings. You can ensure that enter school healthy, supported and ready to learn.

• Donate funds to buy books for children
  

  Across Massachusetts, 37% of third-grade children are reading below grade-level.  You can help today by donating funds to provide a young person with a book of their own to bring home and read to their families.

• Give to provide youth with the support they need to graduate with options
  

  In the next four years an anticipated 40 thousand youth will drop out of school.  Together we can prevent this. Visit supportunitedway.org/give and specify that you want your donation to go to improve opportunities for youth.  Funds will go to provide positive out-of-school-time programming, match youth with mentors, and ensure they have the support they need to stay enaged in school

Advocate

• Start a Local Movement for Youth Success
  

  Need help getting started? United Ways across the State along with youth, community organizations, and government officials have pulled together a Statewide Action Plan for Youth called Success for Life.  To build a Local Action Plan, use the Mobilization & Planning Guide, which will take you through each of the steps necessary to build a movement for education in your community.

• Amplifying Education Community Conversation feedback
  

  Did you attend the conversation? Visit our social media to share your reaction and thoughts on how you think we can pull together as a community to support our youth. (Twitter: #DispatchAmpEd)
  

Volunteer

• Be a Mentor
  

  3,000 kids in Massachusetts are on wait lists for caring adult mentors. Mentors are caring adults who are committed, responsible, and good listeners. You don't need any special skills, just a sincere interest in the success of our youth and a caring attitude.

• Lead a Children's Book Drive
  

  The University of Nevada recently released results from a 20 year study which showed that families who have books in the home increase the level of education their children will attain. Learn how to lead a book drive in your community by emailing volunteer@supportunitedway.org

• Be a Early Reader Volunteer
  

  United Way needs volunteers to read to children in our partner early childhood programs throughout the year.  We seek caring individuals who can dedicate a minimum of 1hr a week (plus some initial training) to work with children under 5. Learn more or sign up email: volunteer@supportunitedway.org

• Join Youth Venture
  

  United Way's Youth Venture program inspires and invests in teams of young people, ages 12-18, to start social projects or business ventures that create positive, lasting change in their communities.  Teens enrolled in Youth Venture are matched with a group of volunteers who guide them in creating a business plan, learning presentation skills and shaping their ideas.  

• Lend your skills and expertise
  

  United Way is looking for skilled individuals who can speak to youth in our programs about a variety of topics including: Personal finance, college preparation, fitness & health, or math, science and technology.  Have an idea for something you could bring to one of our funded programs?  Email us at volunteer@supportunitedway.org