EDUCATION in our community
donate to support educationThe number of low-income households with children in our community
United Way of East TN Highlands understands the effects that household income levels can have on the education of the children in the home.
With nearly 8,000 households (with multiple children on average) in our community who are struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, we are focused on education initiatives and programs that empower our children to break the cycle of poverty for future generations in their family.
The community effects of education
Low education levels can have a significant impact on the community in many ways, affecting crime, taxes, economic development, and quality of life for the residents of the area.
A lack of educated workers can decrease the potential for economic growth in the community, this can lead to a decrease in the overall quality of life for the residents of the area, as people may struggle to find jobs and economic opportunities, leading to an increase in poverty and crime.
our approach
A strong foundation
According to the Early Development Instrument (EDI), we can see the gaps in early childhood education, specifically in the birth-to-five ages. We are actively looking for programs to invest in that focus on this stage of life for the children of our community.
proficient reading
On average, more than 50% of our children are unable to read proficiently in 3rd Grade. A vital point in their lives when they shift from learning to read, to reading to learn. We invest in programs that work to empower students in this area.
tutoring & mentorship
Tutoring & mentorship programs are incredibly valuable to students living in an ALICE household. Low-income homes are statistically more likely to have under-performing students. We invest in programs that increase accesibility to resources for these students.
Fit For Success
The Fit For Success program lives inside of our local school systems, giving our teachers and administrators the ability to not only identify children in need of clothing and supplies, but go the extra step to provide items to them at no cost to the teacher or student.
Be the solution
$10 monthly
Can provide access to reading assistance to 2 children that they need to thrive educationally.
$20 monthly
Can support tutoring and mentoring for up to 5 children in our community.
$50 monthly
Can empower a classroom of 12 to break the cycle of poverty for future generations.
$75 monthly
Can create incredible opportunities for nearly 20 children in our community!
Health
United Way of East TN Highlands fights for the health of our community by partnering with programs that provide physical, dental and mental health care to our most vulnerable neighbors.
Financial Stability
United Way of East TN Highlands fights or the financial stability of our community by partnering with programs that assist individuals and families with basic necessities as well as career training, financial management skills and protection for the elderly from financial abuse.
Our Monthly Newsletter
Understanding Credit
Description: What factors effect your credit score, and strategies to improve scores, to an audience of primarily young adults.
Time: 1:30- 2:30
Location: Elizabethton Public library | 201 N Sycamore St, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Contact: Bank of TN | Detra Cleven | dcleven@bankoftennessee.com | 423-262-5486
Protecting Your Credit
Description: How to protect your credit from scammers. The importance of having a 700 credit score or higher in your senior years.
Time: 12:00- 2:00p
Location: Bristol Public Library | 800 State St. Bristol, TN
Contact: Operation HOPE Inc | Sarah Williams | 423-764-2226 | sarah.williams@operationhope.org | www.operationhope.org
Banking Credit Myths & Facts
Description: Qué requisitos necesitas para abrir una cuenta bancaria? Qué pasa en el caso de un inmigrante sin documentos? Cómo se obtiene un ITIN? Cómo te afecta el puntaje de crédito? No necesitas un numero de seguro social para planificar tu futuro Lo que debes de saber sobre tu puntaje de crédito
Time: 12:50p
Location: https://www.facebook.com/HomeSourceTN|https://www.facebook.com/centrohispanotn
Contact: HomeSource East TN
Rene Yanes | ryanes@homesourcetn.org | Laura E. Contreras-Alanís | lcontreras@homesourcetn.org | 865.971.1679
Centro Hispano | Hilda Castillo | hilda@centrohispanotn.org | 865.522.0052
Predatory Lending
Description: Facts About: Payday loans. Cash advance lenders. The cost of having bad credit. Rent-to-own vs buying.
Time: 6:00p
Location: Facebook Live sessions: https://www.facebook.com/HomeSourceTN
Contact: HomeSource ETN, Pinnacle Bank
Keely Ritchie | keely.ritchie@pnfp.com
Rene Yanes | ryanes@homesourcetn.org
Laura E. Contreras-Alanís | lcontreras@homesourcetn.org
865.971.1679
Money Management Workshop
Lunch and Learn | Refreshments Served
Description: Understanding credit, cash apps vs credit card vs savings account
Time: 12:00 – 1:00p
Location: Kingsport Library | 400 Broad St, Kingsport TN
Contact: Operation Hope| Alan Pickle | apickle@operationhope.org | www.operatiohope.org
Reduce Financial Stress by Reaching Your Financial Goals
Contact AOF to set up your FREE one-on-one financial coaching session tailored to your needs.
Time: 9:00a - 12:00p
Location: TBD Based on Client Need
Contact: Appalachian Opportunity Fund | Oren Peterson | Opeterson@aofcoaching.net | 865-456-4224 (call or text)
Financial Literacy After Hours Networking Event
Presented by: PEAK Young Professionals and First Horizon
Time: 5:00-7:00p
Location: Sports Mill | 600 E. Market, Kingsport TN
Contact:
United Way Kingsport | Becca Sutpen | bsutpen@uwaykpt.org
Kingsport Chamber | Vanessa Bennett | vbennett@kingsportchamber.org
Operation Hope | Alan Pickle | Alan.pickle@operationhope.org
First Horizon Bank | Tiffany Greer | tiffany.greer@firsthorizon.com
First Stop to Building Credit
Description: Johnson City drop in event.
Time: 9:00-11:00a
Location: First Horizon | 2112 N. Roan St., Johnson City TN
Contact: First Horizon | Robbie Davis | rjdavis@firsthorizon.com | 423.461.1719
First Stop to Building Credit
Description: Bristol drop in event.
Time: 9:00-11:00a
Location: First Horizon | 800 State St., Bristol TN
Contact: First Horizon |Kevin Wysor | kmwysor@firsthorizon.com | 423.764.2265
First Stop to Building Credit
Description: Kingsport drop in event.
Time: 9:00-11:00a
Location: First Horizon | 235 E. Center St., Kingsport TN
Contact: First Horizon | Amy Marshall | amarshall@firsthorizon.com | 423.378.7005
A Movement Toward Home Ownership
Lunch & Learn
Description: Kip Parks from Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation will be introducing the programs they offer. Eastern Eight CDC's mission is to fulfill housing needs for low to moderate income families, making home ownership a reality for more. They offer multiple services including but not limited to housing coaching, mortgage lending, and new construction.
Time: 12:00-1:00p
Location: The Depot at Food City | 920 N. State of Franklin Rd., Johnson City, TN 37604
Contact:
UETHDA | Hannah Marshall | hmarshall@uethda.org | (423) 480-8037
Eastern 8 | Kip Parks | kparks@e8cdc.org
Homebuying 101
Description: Discussing credit and what makes a credit score. What you need to do to prepare to buy a home.
Time: TBD
Location: United Way of East TN Highlands| 1907 N. Roane St., Johnson City, TN
Contact: Eastman Credit Union | Sabra P. Hayden | shayden@ecu.org | 423-722-1201
Understanding and Boosting Credit
Description:
Time: 11:00a
Location: Webinar ... Register Here
Contact: First Horizon
Military Community ARG | Paul Ollis | paul.ollis@firsthorizon.com
Heather Hoag | hhoag@firsthorizon.com | 865-824-4044
Cathy Guarnacci| cguarnacci@firsthorizon.com
TRUIST
Description: Contact Angela Conner, SVP of Community Development, for specific event and location details.
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Contact: TRUIST
Angela Conner | angela.conner@truist.com
James Brown | james.brown@truist.com
Larry Jones | larry.jones@truist.com
TBD
Description:
Time:
Location:
Contact: Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union | Miranda Cooper
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