"So many people have to decide between a job and childcare."
- Fairfield County Resident
For families across the Midlands, the balancing act is real. Parents want to work, but childcare is scarce and often unaffordable. Children want to learn, but too many enter school already behind. Teens want to dream big, but lack of mentorship and opportunity can cut those dreams short.
These aren't isolated challenges-they're interconnected barriers that keep families stuck in cycles of struggle. That's why United Way of the Midlands (UWM) takes a Whole Family Strategy: strengthening children, parents, and caregivers together so the next generation can thrive.
The Challenge: Childcare Deserts and Early Learning Gaps
Across all six counties we serve, parents pointed to the same issue: childcare deserts. These are areas where affordable, accessible childcare is almost impossible to find-especially for children under age five.
The results are profound:
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In some counties, more than 70% of third graders test below state standards in English.
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Children who start behind in kindergarten often stay behind, impacting their ability to succeed later in school and beyond.
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Parents, especially mothers, are forced to leave jobs or decline opportunities because childcare options don't exist.
These early years matter. Without strong foundations, the path to future success is much harder to build.
The Middle Years: A Gap in Opportunity
Parents also raised concerns about middle school youth-the age group often left out of after-school programs and extracurricular activities. Younger kids may have more structured options, and high schoolers can work or join specific programs. But middle school students often find themselves with few constructive outlets.
This lack of engagement leaves many young people vulnerable to falling behind academically or socially. Communities told us loud and clear: we need more resources for this critical age group.
The Teen Years: Opening Doors to Careers
For older youth, the barriers shift to career readiness and opportunity. Community members emphasized the need for:
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Career exploration programs
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Mentorship
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Internships and apprenticeships
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Job readiness training
That's where initiatives like Young Men United (YMU) step in. Launched in 2023, YMU wraps support around college-capable male high school students starting in 10th or 11th grade.
This isn't a scholarship-it's an immersive program. Students gain:
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Paid internships
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Consistent mentorship
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Professional skill development
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Support to overcome financial emergencies that could derail their education
The goal? Keep these young men on track for postsecondary education and careers, while retaining their talent in the South Carolina workforce.
In just two years, YMU has grown from 20 students to 107, with plans to scale to 200 over six years. Their success stories-like high school graduates entering college with confidence and mentors who stick with them into adulthood-show the power of investing in youth.
The Whole Family Approach
UWM believes you can't strengthen a child without also supporting the adults in their life. That's why our Whole Family Strategy focuses on three areas:
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Strong Educational Foundation for Children
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Early childhood education
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Midlands Reading Consortium
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Summer and after-school programs
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Enhancing Workforce Development for Adults and Youth
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Young Men United
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Career certifications and degree completion support
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Resource navigation
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Building Resiliency for Families
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Eviction prevention
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Affordable housing creation
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Financial education and coaching
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Parent engagement
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Together, these strategies build generational cycles of success rather than cycles of poverty.
A Vision for Thriving Families
Imagine a Midlands where every child enters school ready to learn. Where middle schoolers have safe, engaging opportunities after school. Where teens graduate high school with clear pathways into careers. Where parents don't have to choose between childcare and a paycheck.
That's the vision we're working toward.
How You Can Help Build Pathways
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Volunteer: Become a reading mentor or support youth programming.
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Invest: Your donations help expand programs like Young Men United and the Midlands Reading Consortium.
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Advocate: Join the conversation about increasing childcare access and youth opportunities in our communities.
