Written by:Alexis Avina, EdD, MPH, Vice President of Community Impact

United Way of San Diego County is proud to share a comprehensive, community-driven approach, called the Community Learning Model, which aims to provide supportive extended learning opportunities to help local children thrive.

No matter our race, background, or ZIP code, we all want our children to learn in a safe environment that inspires imagination, cultivates curiosity and critical thinking, and ensures our children can pursue their academic potential. Regardless of the challenges that students face at home, we want their learning experience to be filled with opportunities to succeed. For the last several years, the impacts of the COVID-pandemic have been immense, and when it comes to our children, most significantly, the pandemic has contributed to something called unfinished learning, which has limited children’s ability to reach their highest potential. 

Since 2020, unfinished learning has contributed to the following issues:

1. Disruptive educational school years
2. Large disparities in educational experiences
3. Decrease in student attendance (absenteeism and student drop out)
4. Teacher shortages
5. Mental health needs
6. Burden on schools and teachers

Unfinished learning has led to students who are disengaged from school altogether and may have slipped backward, losing knowledge or skills they once had. While a majority of students simply learned less than they would have in a typical year. Students who move on to the next grade unprepared are missing key building blocks of knowledge that are necessary for success, while students who repeat a year are much less likely to complete high school and move on to college. It’s not just academic knowledge these students may miss out on. They are at risk of finishing school without the skills, behaviors, and mindsets to succeed in college or in the workforce. 

Because learning never occurs in isolation, local schools aren’t the only place to where students can turn for support. That’s where the Community Learning Model comes in. It focuses on what students really need to succeed. Examples include tutoring, additional literacy/numeracy skill building, socio-emotional learning, access to free books, Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum that is tailored to the unique interests of students, opportunities for scholarships, and internships and mentorships with local high growth careers. Basic needs for their families are also addressed, such as  free healthy meals, health care or mental health counseling, housing support, or other tailored services before, during, and after school.

The Community Learning Model identifies these needs by bringing together community-based resources, local public school districts, academics, health and social services, and youth and community development agencies. These services take place in numerous locations including school campuses, community based organizations, and virtually. 

These academic enrichment opportunities are held during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low performing schools.

The Community Learning Model aims to help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects such as reading and math, offers students a comprehensive array of enrichment academic activities that complement their regular academic programs, and provides  support services to families of participating students.

Research shows that comprehensive out-of-school time that builds and expands on the regular academic school day yields positive outcomes including increased literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional abilities, self-confidence, and participation in the workforce.

Community Learning Model centers meet the unique needs of students by serving as safe and nurturing environments that facilitate strong connections between schools and extended learning, and help build strong community collaborations. 

The Community Learning Model aligns with the United Way of San Diego County’s north star, “EDICT 2030”, which aims to align partners and leverage resources. We know that the community is strengthened when we collaborate with partners to address inequities in our region and help underserved communities. In partnership with community-based organizations, schools, school districts, and government, the Community Learning Model is leveraging the use of data and our partners’ expertise to better understand the root causes of our region’s most pressing issues, put impactful solutions into action, and achieve shared goals. Community Learning, a collaborative, place-based approach, puts our community on the fast track to closing educational gaps and ending disparities across the San Diego region.

Written by: Alicia Quinn Kitagawa, VP of New Business Development

Kids start out with big dreams for when they grow up. Reading is crucial for children to reach their goals of becoming future astronauts, veterinarians, doctors, firefighters, video game developers, and pilots. 

For many kids, those dreams slip away. Not just because they become more practical or “grow up”, but because of disparities in education and lack of family stability that hold them back. 

Access to books and not reading at grade level are big reasons why dreams slip away for children. We know that kids who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 45% of San Diego County’s third graders were not reading at grade level – and that was before school closures and virtual learning exacerbated inequitable access to high-quality learning opportunities.

The past two years have magnified the grave educational and economic disparities that exist, and widened the gap for those experiencing those disparities. During the throes of the pandemic, United Way of San Diego County (UWSD) released its strategic plan, “Mind the Gap: EDICT 2030”, dedicating the organization’s work to closing that gap and igniting the possibilities for our region’s future. 

UWSD knows that no one organization can do this work alone. United with community partners and donors, they are reimagining and rebuilding a community in which all San Diegans, especially those facing the widest gaps, have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

This spring, UWSD is launching two initiatives for community members to join in addressing these inequities and finding solutions. 

Throughout the month of March, the organization is hosting a countywide book drive to celebrate Read Across America. With a goal of donating 1,000 books to local students, UWSD offers multiple ways to get involved. You can purchase a book online or in-store with one of our partners, Warwick’s in La Jolla and Libelula in Barrio Logan. You can also drop off a new book at UWSD’s offices in Kearny Mesa. Finally, you can make a financial contribution to support UWSD’s work in addressing inequities in our community and closing the gaps in education, literacy, and family stability. Visit uwsd.org/read to get involved!

In addition, UWSD, in partnership with the Council on Literacy, is thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new podcast called The Gap Minders! Hosted by Nancy L. Sasaki, UWSD CEO, and Jose Cruz, Council on Literacy CEO, weekly episodes will feature a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures dedicated to improving our region, and influential changemakers passionate about equity for all children and families. Tune in to The Gap Minders wherever you listen to podcasts!  

United, we can mind the gaps and address inequities so all children and families in San Diego can make their dreams come true. To get involved with UWSD, visit uwsd.org.