Every parent's dream is to see their children become prosperous, healthy, and happy

The eastern upper peninsula in michigan's U.P. Is a rugged and isolated area. Many of the people are native american and live in low-income households. While comparing the data on community conditions, we must ask ourselves, are we thriving? If not, how do we get there and what is the vision? United way of the EUP is in the business of building communities. Our vision is to tackle prevalent issues by mobilizing the caring power of volunteers. We fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. We propose to focus on building kids' academic skills through an intergenerational approach to reading and mentoring. We will place 75 rsvp volunteers with 325 students most vulnerable and at-risk of not graduating in sites around 3 counties. All 75 volunteers will be outcome measured. The cncs federal investment of $75,000 annually will be matched with the required 30% in 3 years provided through united way's local funding. Activities of the rsvp program would include a reading buddies program targeting lower-income 3 to 5-year-olds that attend various head start locations, a chippewa tribal head start, and preschools. The outcomes of this work would increase children's school readiness to those most vulnerable. A second approach to intergenerational programming would be to develop a mentoring partnership with the boys and girls club. This club has 3 locations; malcom alternative high school, brimley schools, and a tribal location in BAY mills indian community. Our intention is not to create a new program, but to strengthen the existing mentoring program with the use of additional volunteers. The club offers activities that include: character development, education and career development, health/life skills, the arts/cultural development, and fitness. Our outcomes would be to increase academic engagement with improvements in self-confidence, positive attitudes and performance in school. The result is that our children would have the skills and tools necessary to succeed in school and graduate high school. We'VE set them on a path to prosper and thrive through a caring volunteer.