Mile High United Way: First of Its Kind

While the Mile High United Way has undergone several name changes since its original establishment on 16 October 1887 – it was previously known as The Charity Organization Society, Community, Chest, Red Feather Drive, and United Fund before adopting its current name in 1964 – its mission has essentially remained the same. The men and women behind the non-profit organization are committed to advancing the common good by changing lives and transforming communities.

Its three-pronged approach toward improving the quality of life for its beneficiaries can be summarized as follows:

• The School Readiness Initiative focuses on providing children from low-income families the opportunity to access world-class early childhood education. As a result, the children enter school especially their elementary grades with a ready attitude particularly in terms of reading at grade level by the end of their third grade.
• The Youth Success Initiative extends the education opportunities to school-age, at-risk students from low-income families. Students are provided with access to afterschool programs that include mentoring and tutoring as well as drop-out prevention methods. The initiative also includes post-secondary programs designed to ensure that the students succeed in their academic, thus, preparing them for college or work.
• The Adult Self-Sufficiency Initiative creates and supports programs designed to help low-income adults with the knowledge and skills necessary for economic self-sufficiency. The program also provides opportunities for the development of workforce experience.

Mile High United Way also considers itself as a catalyst for social change. Its strong partnerships with local non-profit organizations, policy makers, businesses, and government agencies promote the common good in various ways. Its focus on early childhood development and literacy as well as youth education and development coupled with economic stability for families has made it a welcome presence in the community.

The organization serves the Metro Denver community that covers five counties, namely, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Denver, and Jefferson.