United Way Launches Early Childhood Development Initiative in Shanghai

United Way Worldwide and Shanghai Charity Foundation Collaborate to Boost School Readiness for Migrant Children

SHANGHAI, Sept. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, United Way Worldwide, the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit, announced a partnership with Shanghai Charity Foundation to create an early learning program to improve school conditions for migrant children in Shanghai. The official launch ceremony in Shanghai commemorated this momentous milestone of U.S.-China philanthropic relations.

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"United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives," said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide President and CEO. "We want to help these 200,000 children from migrant worker families be ready to succeed in school and life by involving parents, caregivers and communities working together to create long-term positive change."

The initiative adopts Born Learning^®, United Way's public engagement campaign that builds on awareness, education and action, to help parents, caregivers and communities create early learning opportunities for young children. Born Learning efforts in Shanghai would build on successes in other countries, such as Argentina, Brazil and the U.S.

"We hope to leverage United Way's proven business model to improve the quality of our performance," said Feng Guoqin, chairperson of Shanghai Charity Foundation. "Through this collaboration, we hope to engage business leaders in Shanghai, especially global corporate partners, who wish to serve and make a difference in their communities."

United Way has continuously supported capacity building by working with China Charity Federation to provide training to the Chinese philanthropic network in the past fifteen years. With Shanghai as the pilot city, United Way is engaging Shanghai Charity Foundation with its proven business model of collective action, working together with governments, NGOs, corporations, community leaders and volunteers to create long-term social change.

About United Way Worldwide

United Way is a worldwide movement of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. It advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality life. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action – to give, advocate and volunteer – to improve conditions in their local community. For more information about United Way, please visit worldwide.unitedway.org.

About Shanghai Charity Foundation

Founded in 1994, Shanghai Charity Foundation is the largest charitable organization in Shanghai, with 17 branch offices, 35 full-time staff at headquarters and 191 special funds. With missions to help the elderly, support the young, sponsor education and provide relief to those in need, Shanghai Charity Foundation has impacted the lives of more than four million people in the community and become one of the most influential NGOs in China. Please visit www.scf.org.cn for more info.

Media Contact:
United Way Worldwide
Eileen Lin
[email protected] 
+1 571.314.4660

SOURCE United Way Worldwide