United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS), a organization focusing on child literacy, has reached a milestone of raising $100 million since its inception in 1942.
Over the years, UWNNS has worked with community partners such as United Parcel Service, NV Energy, Wells Fargo Bank, U.S. Bank, GE Energy and many others, to fundraise. The money raised has helped aid programs affecting families in northern Nevada and the Sierra, to increase their early education and overall literacy.
Although UWNNS began as a war fund during of World War II, the organization determined a single-focus in 2014, concentrating its efforts exclusively on literacy for children in the area. The big goal UWNNS focuses on is doubling the number of children reading proficiently at the end of third grade by the year 2020, as early literacy has an impact on high school graduation rates.
“Having reached such a momentous landmark of raising $100 million to further early education and literacy in our community is truly something to celebrate,” said UWNNS CEO, Karen Barsell. “Seeing how far we have come since our beginning and the trajectory we are on to achieve our goal of doubling the number of children in our area with reading proficiency by the end of third grade, I can only imagine what the next $100 million can achieve.”
For details on UWNNS and to see how the funds are distributed, visit www.uwnns.org.
