Education has long been considered “the great equalizer,” an essential building block of opportunity and progress.
But for many students and families in Greenville County, the opposite is also true: Students who fail to graduate high school or receive a poor education can end up on the wrong side of an ever-widening gap in employment, lifetime income and health.
That’s why the team at United Way of Greenville County has dedicated itself to ensuring all people in our community have access to what United Way President and CEO Meghan Barp called “our greatest antipoverty tool.”
“At the most basic level, more education equals more income,” Barp said. “When we provide access to the relevant skills, knowledge, opportunities and credentials, what we’re really creating is a set of powerful antipoverty tools that can break the cycle of poverty for families and create lasting upward mobility in our community.”
How can education improve in Greenville County?
United Way of Greenville County’s How We Win strategy identifies education as one of four key barriers to higher earnings for our community, alongside the interconnected areas of housing, child care and transportation.
The approach recognizes that education is not just about what happens inside the classroom, but it is also about addressing the systemic barriers that hinder student success. From early-childhood-development programs to college- and career-readiness initiatives, United Way offers a continuum of support that empowers students and families at every stage of their academic journey.
It includes:
- Guidance and support for post-secondary school success
- Job placement services and support
- Industry-specific job training
- Transitional employment and reentry support
One highlight of United Way’s work in education is OnTrack Greenville, the evidence-based partnership with Greenville County Schools that supports students and families in five high-poverty schools:
- Berea High
- Berea Middle
- Carolina High
- Lakeview Middle
- Tanglewood Middle
The OnTrack program works inside schools to address real and recurring challenges for more than 4,500 students each day, helping them graduate on time and fully prepared for careers or college.
In 2023, OnTrack Greenville also launched the Greenville Mentoring Collaborative, which unites the county’s many mentoring programs under one coalition and helps keep more than 500 mentors connected with students.
“We have the resources and the support system already here in our community,” Barp said. “What we’re doing at United Way is bringing all those people, programs and networks together to make sure we are doing everything we can do support the next generation and provide them with the tools they need to thrive.”
To learn more and get involved in United Way’s work in the community, visit unitedwaygc.org.
Poverty and education by the numbers
47%: The percentage of working-age adults in Greenville Count without a post-secondary credential or degree.
$20,000-$30,000: The amount of additional money a person with a bachelor’s degree earns compared to someone with just a high school diploma.
The post United Way of Greenville County fights poverty through education appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.