Youth Opportunity
United Way of West Florida champions the success, well-being, and future of every young person in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. To ensure our youth have the resources to thrive from childhood to career, United is the Way.
To expand youth opportunities across our community, we strategically leverage resources by investing in high-quality youth development and leadership programs through our Community Investment Process. By building powerful regional coalitions and advocating for equitable access to mentorship, career readiness, and skill-building, we empower the next generation to break barriers and reach their full potential.
Collective Impact & Community Coalitions
We believe true community change happens when we work together. UWWF proudly collaborates with and supports major education initiatives across our two-county footprint:
Achieve Escambia
Achieve Escambia is an alignment of community leaders from education, business, government, non-profits, faith, and civic organizations. Together, this partnership is dedicated to improving cradle-to-career outcomes, ensuring every child in Escambia County has the tools and support needed to succeed from their very first day of school to a family-sustaining career.
Healthy Schools Escambia
A healthy student is a successful student. Healthy Schools Escambia works across organizations to foster healthier school environments. By addressing physical health, nutrition, wellness, and supportive spaces, this initiative ensures local students can focus on what matters most—learning, growing, and thriving.
Signature Initiatives: Get Involved
You can directly impact local classrooms and students by participating in our annual education-focused initiatives:
Stuff the Bus
Every summer, we challenge our community to help local students start the school year with confidence. Stuff the Bus raises vital funds and collects essential school supplies for children across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, ensuring every student has the tools they need to succeed from day one, regardless of financial barriers.
Day of Caring
Our annual Day of Caring is the region's largest single-day volunteer effort. We mobilize hundreds of community members to roll up their sleeves and head into local schools and nonprofits. Volunteers complete critical campus improvement, landscaping, and painting projects that schools otherwise wouldn't have the budget or manpower to finish.
Ready to Support Youth Opportunity?
25-26 EDUCATION AWARDS - $151,650
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Inc.
Academic Success and Career Readiness - $20,800
Serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties
Children's Home Society of Florida
Teenspace - $16,300
Serving Escambia County
Community Organizations Active In Disaster Inc. (BRACE)
Disaster Defenders - $16,300
Serving Escambia County
Council on Aging of West Florida
Foster Grandparent Program - $20,800
Serving Escambia County
ReadyKids!
ReadingPals - $27,300
Serving Escambia County
PACE Center for Girls INC
Girls Earning Diplomas (GED) Program - $16,300
Serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties
Pensacola Children's Chorus
Affordable Accessible Arts - $16,300
Serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties