United Way Diamonds has provided evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention classes since 2000 at Furman Middle. We have served each of the other middle and high schools in various capacities during that time and engaged teens and their parents through community-based organizations and churches. Since the program's inception, the rate of teen pregnancies in Sumter County as declined 68%.

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Early grade reading is the key to academic achievement. United Way is working to support the education of all children in our communities.

 

Our Reading Success AmeriCorps Program provides literacy tutoring to children in kindergarten through third grade at service sites in Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter Counties.

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Individuals commit to a one-year term of service by becoming a member of the AmeriCorps Program engaging in small group and one-on-one tutoring. The program aims to help struggling readers improve their literacy skills.

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Our Reading Success AmeriCorps Program has collaborated with several elementary schools and after-school programs in Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee Counties to support early grade reading by providing literacy tutoring. In 2019, 450 students received 12,877 hours of tutoring with 87% showing significant improvement in their reading scores. Donations have helped us continue to offer reading support during the summer by serving local community centers. 

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COVID 19 - Impact

Our community has stepped up to the challenge and have made the answered the call for help. Thus far, we have received our $155,000 in grants and donations.  

We have made several grants to community organizations to provide food, serve meals, provide shelter, assist with basic needs, provide health services, and maintain their ability to provide services. 

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• Clarendon County Council on Aging - food boxes

• Lee County Council on Aging - food and freezer

• Salvation Army - food and basic needs

• Sumter United Ministries - food and basic needs

• Sumter Senior Services - food and serve meals

• Sumter Cultural Commission - art therapy supplies

• Emmanuel Hunger Relief Program - serve meals

• YWCA - serve meals

• United Ministries Samaritan House - mass shelter

• Christian Charities - food

• Our Brother's Keeper - shelter

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Partner Agencies

United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties partners with local organizations that provide programs and services aligned with our three priority areas. Local agencies must complete a thorough application, agree to report results, provide an annual independent audit and maintain a volunteer board of directors in order to receive funding.

 

In addition, all United Way partner agencies must meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service and the South Carolina Secretary of State.

 

A team of community volunteers carefully reviews each application, and then makes informed decisions based on specific criteria, including the program's ability to address issues identified in Facing Facts, proven impact, and long-term expected outcomes.
 
For a full list of our partner agencies visit our website:  https://www.uwaysumter.org/partner-agencies

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