Family Opportunity
Opening the doors for families to reach their full potential, together.
Two Generations. One Future.
Created by the Aspen Institute, 2Gen programming builds family well-being by intentionally working with children and the adults in their lives at the same time. This promising practice serves as the model for United Way’s Family Opportunity initiatives and investments.
Our Approach to Family Opportunity
Advocacy & Public Policy
United Way advocates for public policy focused on improving access to quality early childhood education, strengthening workforce development programs, and promoting the awareness and implementation of 2Gen best practices.
Capacity Building
United Way invests time, talent and resources in building capacity for local 2Gen programs, early childhood education providers, and community organizations. Interested in learning more about how to implement 2Gen programming within your work?
Data & Research
Using data to evaluate programs based on outcomes in educational success, workforce and economic advancement, physical/mental wellness, and social capital United Way targets investments to help improve family stability in our region.
Grantmaking & Community Investments
Through the Family Opportunity Fund, United Way supports accredited organizations that integrate early childhood education, health and financial stability services for the whole family.
Initiatives & Programs
United Way was proud to work with thousands of households in Central Indiana using 2Gen programming through the Great Families 2020 Initiative, which paved the way for our Family Opportunity strategy.
Thought Leadership & Convening
Through peer learning sessions, leadership summits and a collection of online resources, United Way offers opportunities to connect with the experts and share information on the impact of 2Gen.
Your support helped us achieve these outcomes over the last year:
2,551
families participated
46%
of families increased access to educational resources and activities to support a home learning environment
1,210
families enrolled in financial literacy coaching
931
mothers received prenatal health services
ReadUP connects volunteers with local schools, where they read with two students for 30 minutes every week, helping kids get on track - and stay on track - with grade-level literacy. We know that children who read at or above grade-level are more likely to succeed in school and in life.
Early Childhood Education 10-year Investment Report
In 2012, United Way set ambitious goals to improve the health and safety of childcare in our community and focus on classroom learning.
The initial plan was grounded in improving the infrastructure and the health and safety measures of registered ministries throughout Central Indiana. But that was only the first step.
Early on, United Way broadened its scope to include infrastructure of facilities, quality and capacity of classrooms, scholarships for more kids to access quality pre-k, and increased advocacy efforts to continue strengthening the system to support more high-quality early childhood education opportunities for families.
Through public awareness campaigns, significant investments in childcare facilities, United Way convened an entire community of civic leaders, for-profit partners, and nonprofit organizations to proudly proclaim that pre-k was not just an educational priority – it was a business imperative.Looking back at the 10-year plan, United Way remains focused, dedicated, and committed to children in our community who need – and deserve – a quality education. Dedicated to supporting children and parents together, the organization now plays a critical role that benefits the family as a whole.
Over the next five years, United Way plans to maintain a leadership role in early childhood education advocacy, workforce development, and continued investments that align with the 2Gen approach.
