Initiatives

Community-wide initiatives throughout the year:

Born Learning Trails - Early Education Meets Recreation

Did you know that much of a child's skills, personality, and intellect are formed by the time they're five years old? This is further evidence showing just how critical early childhood education is to brain development -- which is why United Way works to transform public spaces into areas for learning with Born Learning Trails!

The Born Learning Trail, a United Way Worldwide initiative since 2005, is a series of 10 interactive signs intended to offer fun, active learning activities for young children and their families. These trails are designed to help parents, caregivers, and communities create quality opportunities for engagement, education, and recreation while out for a stroll or playing at a park.

To date, United Way of West Florida has installed four Born Learning Trails in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with more planned. These trails are made possible through the partnership of International Paper, the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, the Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County, the Town of Century, the Town of Jay, and the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners. 

Learn more here.

 

Stuff The Bus

On July 20, 2023, Stuff the Bus collected thousands of school supplies outside six local Walmarts and raised over $30,000 in funds to help local students receive the tools they need for the coming school year.

"(UWWF) works directly with Escambia and Santa Rosa County schools to collect school supplies to ensure students are off to a good start," said Laura Gilliam, President/ CEO of United Way of West Florida. "After the drive, the school's administration determines and distributes the products to the appropriate students."

UWWF partners with Escambia County Public Schools (ECPS), Santa Rosa County District Schools (SRCDS), Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 92.3, Pensacola News Journal, and WEAR Cares to implement Stuff the Bus. 

Parents who need supplies for their students should reach out to their child's school in either county for more information on the distribution of supplies. the process may vary based on the district and the school.

Learn more here.

 

Day of Caring

Day of Caring is a community-wide initiative that connects volunteers and resources with local agencies and schools in need of support.

Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated 28,754 volunteers to complete 2,640 projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Each year, we're heartened to see hundreds - sometimes thousands! - of people working together to complete all kinds of projects that provide additional capacity to the organizations and institutions that keep our community strong.

Learn more here.