United Way Announces Education Volunteer Challenge on National Day of Action

Event Kicks off Three-Year Initiative Aimed at Increasing Graduation Rate in Region

PHILADELPHIA, June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania has issued a call-to-action to the corporate community in the Greater Philadelphia region, inviting individuals to become volunteer readers, tutors and mentors in order to help increase the graduation rate in the region.

"United Way has issued a challenge in our region: we're recruiting 5,000 education volunteers in Southeastern Pennsylvania over the next three years!" announced Jill Michal, president and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. "The fact is, one person can make a fundamental difference in the life of a young person.  One caring adult can boost a student's academic achievement, encourage their social and emotional development and expose a child to new opportunities.  So we're inviting the community to join us, to make a commitment to be part of the solution."

Today, fewer American students are likely to earn a diploma than their parents, a distinction not shared by any other industrialized country.  Currently, nearly half of Philadelphia high school students eventually drop out.  The rates for minority male students are worse - 55 percent of African American males and 57 percent of Latino males do not graduate.

United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's initiative is part of a national movement. United Way Worldwide has set a national goal to recruit one million education volunteers over the next three years in order to help boost academic achievement.

"When I was in high school, an act of kindness by two teachers dramatically changed the course of my life. I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for those individuals taking an interest in me," noted Elizabeth Williamson, Northeast Communications Director, US Department of Education. "On a larger scale, this initiative is something that President Obama and [US Secretary of Education] Arne Duncan recognize is a crucial component to improving our educational system nationwide. One million education volunteers across the country is a definitive game-changer."

Every year on June 21, the longest day of the year, United Way invites all Americans to LIVE UNITED and take action in their communities on a pertinent issue.  This morning's event, held at WHYY's Dorrance H. Hamilton Public Media Commons, featured discussion from regional corporate, nonprofit and government leaders, with guests discussing their personal and professional mentoring experiences.  Featured panelists included: Joe Frick, vice chairman and managing partner, Diversified Search; Lisa Nutter, president, Philadelphia Academies, Inc.; Rosemary Turner, president, UPS – Chesapeake District; Tara Weiner, managing partner, Deloitte; Tom Sharbaugh, managing partner of operations, Morgan-Lewis, LLP; Michele Dorris, Campbell Soup Company; and Elizabeth Williamson, US Department of Education.

"There are many nonprofit organizations doing a tremendous job of meeting the educational needs in our region and many companies seeking to make a difference.  United Way plays a valuable role linking us together so that we can truly move the needle on improving graduation rates and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and youth in our communities," concluded Martin Friedman, Executive Director, EducationWorks.

For more information on United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania's Education Volunteer Initiative, visit www.LIVEUNITEDsepa.org/mentoring.

About United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in southeastern Pennsylvania by focusing on education for children, income for families and health for seniors. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.LIVEUNITEDsepa.org.

SOURCE United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania