Born Learning
Born Learning® is an engagement campaign that help parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities. United Way of the River Cities, St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District partnered to construct a Born Learning Trail in Ritter Park near the playground area.
In 2023, a new Born Learning Trail was installed at the Dr. Omayma Touma Centennial Community Park, adjacent to UWRC’s main office (820 Madison Ave.).
Brain Under Construction Zone
The main objective of the Brain Under Construction Zone (BUCZ) is to build awareness and understanding of the importance of early brain development to the future success of children; to promote education as to the optimal development, behavior and interaction for families of young children from birth to five years of age; and to promote the importance of everyday activities as opportunities to teach.
SUPER SATURDAY
Super Saturday is a free event that United Way of the River Cities hosts each year that features fun activities as well as helpful information for families provided by a wide variety of community organizations and event partners.
Cabell and Wayne county schools also offer pre-K and kindergarten registration during Super Saturday.
High School Career Lunch
United Way of the River Cities is partnering with Cabell County Schools to offer internships for students at various local businesses to aid in their career pathway and exploration. Internships for high school students allow students to explore a career and start to define career paths, boost self-confidence and build professional skills, like communication and public speaking.
A high school internship experience is also a great extracurricular activity to include on the college application. Not to mention the firsthand work experience they gain is invaluable no matter which career field they choose. An internship is an opportunity for students to get firsthand experience in different fields and learn what to expect in each career, deciding if that career path is a good fit.
Youth Opportunity Funded Partners
- Big Brothers Big Sisters — $35,000 — Serving Cabell, Mason, Wayne and Lawrence counties. Growing mentorship opportunities for Tri-State youth by providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.
- Boys and Girls Club— $35,000 — Serving Cabell County. Power Hour program serves ages 6-18 by offering a dedicated academic enrichment program that focuses on schoolwork tutoring and activities designed to blend learning and fun. Each child also receives a hot meal.
- Field of Hope — $35,000 — Serving Mason, Gallia and Lawrence Counties. The Resilient Youth program offers an after-school program that provides work training and entry programs as well as alcohol and substance abuse counseling if needed.
- Lily’s Place — $35,000 — Serving Cabell County and Lincoln County. Offering an on-site and mobile prevention and mentorship program for children 10-18 years that also includes outreach events to help create positive core memories and a sense of belonging in the community. Serving 125 individuals.
- Mason County Library— $10,000 — Serving Mason and Gallia counties. Supporting KidsConnect, a program that aims to increase school readiness and maintain target grade level reading. This program will serve all three branches in Mason Country and support their Story Time program, Discovery Zone, Kids Connect Summer Edition and providing additional books for all three programs.
- Hamlin Lincoln Public Library — $22,500 — Serving Cabell, Lincoln, and Wayne counties with their Filling in the Education Gaps program. Supporting their story time hour and summer reading and helping to launch a new Homework Help and Family Literacy Program across all three library locations. The homework help program will offer after school academic support. The Family Literacy Program will offer caregiver engagement and resources including GED preparation.