United is the Way to Education & Opportunity
Education is the cornerstone of success in school, work, and life. But it’s also the foundation for strong communities. When children succeed in school, the whole Valley benefits: graduates earn more, contribute to stronger local economies, and are more likely to raise the next generation of graduates.
At United Way NSV, we know education doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes systems of support from cradle to career — and beyond. That means making sure children start strong, stay on track, and transition into meaningful jobs that sustain their families and fuel our economy, while also ensuring older adults and our nonprofit peers continue to learn, grow, and stay connected.
Our Education & Opportunity Priorities
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Early Education Pathways
A continuum of support from kindergarten readiness through third grade ensures children start strong, stay on track, and build the foundation for lifelong success. -
Scholarships & Postsecondary Access
Tutoring, mentoring, and scholarships open doors for youth to graduate, continue their education, and pursue careers that allow them to thrive. -
Workforce Development Systems
Training, job placement, and career pathways connect residents to sustainable employment and long-term financial security.
United in Action: Building Education Pathways in the Valley
Education Is Community Resilience
Education is more than classrooms. It is the spark that fuels opportunity, strengthens neighborhoods, and shapes the Valley’s future. A child who enters kindergarten ready to learn is more likely to stay on track in school. A teenager who graduates on time is more likely to secure a job that pays a living wage. A young adult with access to training or scholarships is more likely to build financial stability for their family.
The data is clear. The 2025 ALICE Report shows that over 40% of households with children in the Northern Shenandoah Valley struggle to afford basics like childcare and education, even when working full-time. Students who are not reading on grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. And high school dropouts, on average, earn $10,000 less per year than their peers who graduate.
When families can’t afford childcare, when students fall behind in reading, or when young adults are shut out of career pathways, the consequences ripple across the entire community. Employers struggle to fill jobs, neighborhoods face greater instability, and the costs of crisis care rise for everyone.
That is why investing in education means investing in the health and resilience of the Valley. It is about breaking down barriers — from childcare to college tuition — so every child has a chance to learn, every teen has a path forward, and every adult has access to skills that sustain a family. It is also about supporting our nonprofit workforce and older adults through continuing education, because learning fuels connection and community at every age.
When we invest in education, we don’t just change one life. We shift the odds for thousands of families and change the trajectory of an entire community.
United is the Way: the way we support learning, open doors, and ensure every neighbor has the chance to thrive.
How Education Lifts the Valley
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Strong Kids
Children who start school ready to learn and read on grade level are more likely to graduate and succeed. -
Strong Families
Parents with access to childcare, scholarships, and job training can build financial stability and break cycles of hardship. -
Strong Valley
A well-educated community fuels a stronger workforce, healthier neighborhoods, and a more resilient local economy.
United is the Way: when education grows stronger, the entire Valley thrives.
United is the Way to Early Literacy
Reading by the end of third grade is a critical milestone — and too many children in Winchester are falling behind. When kids can’t read on grade level, it impacts their entire education, their job opportunities later in life, and the future strength of our community.
The Winchester Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) is a community-wide effort to ensure every child reads proficiently by third grade. Together, schools, nonprofits, faith leaders, businesses, and families are uniting to give kids the strongest possible start.
Our Priorities
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School Readiness
Preparing children to start kindergarten ready to learn through early learning opportunities, quality childcare, and family engagement. -
School Attendance
Tackling chronic absenteeism by helping families overcome barriers like transportation, health, and housing that keep kids from being in class. -
Summer Learning
Expanding access to books, enrichment, and structured programs that prevent learning loss and keep kids engaged year-round. -
Family Engagement
Empowering parents and caregivers with tools, resources, and support to be their child’s first and most important teacher.
Why It Matters
Children who read on grade level by third grade are more likely to graduate high school, go on to higher education, and thrive in the workforce. This is not just an education issue — it’s a community issue. Strong readers today mean stronger leaders tomorrow.
Get Involved
The Winchester Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is powered by collaboration. Whether you are a parent, teacher, business owner, or volunteer, there is a role for you in helping children succeed.
United is the Way to ensure every child in Winchester has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.
From Storytime to School Success
Students who stay on track to graduate high school on time are more likely to earn a living wage, live healthier lives, avoid involvement with the justice system, and raise children who also succeed in school.
One of the most powerful ways to set that path early is through early learning and literacy. Putting books in the hands of children from the very beginning helps build language skills, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning.
That’s what the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is all about — and in Page County, United Way NSV proudly serves as the fiscal agent for this program, ensuring local children have access to free books delivered right to their homes.
📚 Learn more about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library →click here.
Investing in Opportunity, Strengthening the Valley
United is the Way — and our work is stronger with partners like the J2W Foundation.
The J2W Foundation was established to create opportunities and pathways for families to thrive. With a mission rooted in equity and empowerment, J2W invests in programs that break down barriers, expand access, and strengthen communities across the Northern Shenandoah Valley.
Their Focus
The J2W Foundation supports initiatives that align closely with United Way NSV’s priorities:
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Education & Opportunity – Helping children and youth succeed through access to learning, mentoring, and growth opportunities.
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Healthier Communities – Promoting programs that expand access to health, wellness, and support services.
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Financial Stability – Building pathways for families to move from crisis to stability through targeted investments.
Why This Partnership Matters
Partnership with the J2W Foundation allows us to amplify community impact — reaching more families, investing in innovative solutions, and ensuring that every neighbor has the resources they need to thrive.
Together, we are building a Valley where stability is not the exception but the norm.
United is the Way — and with partners like J2W, the path to opportunity is stronger than ever.