Blake Pang is the President/CEO of the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra and kindly presented an update to our club members.
Early literacy is a major thrust of the United Way. One example is the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which provides free books for children up to the age of 5. The Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise made a substantial donation to this cause last year.
“United Readers” is a program that focuses on literacy and math intervention. If we can get children proficient at reading and math at a young age, they are more likely to graduate and go on to college.
The United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra has shifted from measuring the traditional “output" goal, how many individuals have been assisted, to a “outcomes” goal, a measurement of literacy improvement as a result of their interventions. So far the outcomes have been impressive.
More information can be obtained from their website: https://www.uwnns.org/