Mission Statement
To develop relationships, partnerships and resources that will have positive impact on the lives of all children, families and caregivers in the greater High Point community.
Vision Statement
To be a leading advocate for all children and families and a convener of collaborations and partnerships to improve the lives of children to ensure they will be vital and productive citizens
Related Quick Links
Children's Initiative Brochure
To download, click here
United Way of America's Public Policy
Community Involvement
Children’s Initiatives Involvement in Advocacy
~Position UWGHP as leading advocate for children and families.
~Position UWGHP is convener for collaborations and partnerships to improve the life of children so they will be successful citizens
High Point
Fairview Family Resource Center Advisory Council
Family Service of the Piedmont Hope House Advocacy Advisory Council
HP Area Arts Council
HP Children’s Cabinet
HP Chamber of Commerce
~Leadership HP Alumni
~Education Committee
HP Junior League Advisory Board
HP Workforce Preparedness Strategic Planning Task Force – appointed by Mayor Smothers
HP Workforce Alliance – appointed by Jim Morgan
Rotary Club of Furnitureland, President 07-08
GuilfordCounty
Family Service of the Piedmont Harmony House Advisory Council
GC Partnership for Children
Guilford Education Alliance Board
Guilford Nonprofit Consortium, Steering Committee
Early Head Start / Head Start Policy Council
Juvenile Crime Prevention Commission – Appointed by Co. Commissioner Davis
State
United Way of NC Public Policy Committee
Children Do Come With Directions
The following links are edits to the current books
English
Spanish
“Be the Change You Wish To See in the World”
Learning to Help Others, Guilford County Schools Students
Hold Fun, Successful Fund-Raisers for United Way of Greater High Point
Faculty and staff at the 26 Guilford County Schools locations in High Point have always been actively involved in raising money to benefit the community through the United Way of Greater High Point. This year, however, brings a new twist: this year, students at all 26 schools are conducting their own United Way campaigns, and they are having a great time doing it.
Vicki Miller, Doris Davis, and Gilda Scott, all retired GCS principals, serve as the 2009 Education Division Team for the United Way of Greater High Point. As each had seen the positive effects of having students engaged in “giving back” to their community, the former administrators came up with a plan to get more students involved in philanthropy. “Given the opportunity, students will eagerly want to help out those in need,” said Miller. “As a former student once wrote, ‘If that was me that needed help, I sure hope someone would care enough to help me.’ I can’t think of a better lesson to learn early in life.”
Northwood Elementary School chose to use Gandhi’s “Be the change you wish to see in the world” quote as their campaign slogan. Teachers have taught lessons based on two meanings of the word “change” – making a difference, and loose coins. Students have brought in change, even sharing their coins with classmates so that everyone can experience the feeling of giving to help their community.
Parkview, Montlieu, Oak View, and Johnson Street Elementary Schools, along with Southwest Middle School, have also focused on the “change” concept and have incentives like ice cream parties, raffles, “Crazy Hat Days,” and grade level competitions to encourage student involvement. Andrews and Southwest High Schools have incentives like free biscuit breakfasts, a raffle for Wake Forest football tickets, and even a contest where winning the prize means an administrator will do the student’s class work for one day --- but draws the line at taking tests!
Miller and her committee expect the competitions to remain running through the end of October. “We hope everyone will support this community through United Way,” said Miller, “and experience the same joy and enthusiasm for giving as our students have. As one of my former students said, ‘By caring about others, you will feel better about yourself at the same time!”
More information: Vicki Miller, 889-3399
Photo & Interview opportunities: Gandhi cups in classrooms at Northwood Elementary, Mary Beth Payne, 819-2920
Cowboy Boots with donor name, Southwest Middle, William Hardy, 819-2985
Collection jars ($871 to date!), Parkview Elementary, Crystal Brown-Williams, 819-2945
The Science of Early Childhood Development
The science of early brain development can inform investments in early childhood. These basic concepts, established over decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, help illustrate why child development- particularly from birth to five years- is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
1. Brains are built over time, from the bottom up. To read more, click here.
TV Commercials
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Strengthening Families United
Click the map below to read more about United Way's Strengthening Families Initiative
United Way of Greater High Point Children’s Initiatives
Overview
Children’s Initiatives Strategic Plan for 2006-2011 positions itself to be a leading advocate for all children and families and a convener of collaborations and partnerships to improve the lives of children to ensure they will be vital and productive citizens.
Initiatives focus on helping all children to be ready for school, to succeed in school, and to be productive citizens. Current Initiatives include Success By 6® and Bridges to Success.
Success By 6 ® 
In April of 1996, two visionary and generous High Point families attended a national Alexis DeToqueville Conference and learned about Success By 6 ®. As a result of their two million dollar gifts and their advocacy, other community donors joined on and the United Way of Greater High Point initiated Success By 6 ®, a community-wide collaboration focused on ensuring that all High Point children enter school mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally ready to learn. The initiative was not a new program, new agency, or new organization; it was a concept of mobilizing community partners with the goal of “helping all children succeed for life.”
Three core concepts are central to Success By 6 ®:to educate the community about the importance of the early years and the crisis facing young children: to help children and families access the health and human services they need; and to build collaborative partnerships with business, government, schools, churches, human service providers, individuals and groups who work with children and families. United Way’s key role is to serve as the neutral convener of the collaboration, bringing these diverse groups to the table and keeping them focused on the mission.
Key strategies for Success By 6 ®, include raising awareness about early brain research, early childhood development, the importance of high quality childcare, improving access to critical health and human services, and advocating for public policy that supports all children.
In 2000, United Way of Greater High Point became one of 12 sites for Vital Connections, and innovative demonstration initiative focused on encouraging mega-giving by individuals in support of a child’s earliest years. The mission of Vital Connections is to develop a movement of communities across the country to improve the quality of childcare for children ages 0 – 3 through systems changes.
In 2003 Children’s Initiatives placed the Vital Connections component under the Success By 6®, umbrella. Success By 6®, serves children and their families from birth through school.
Bridges to Success 
In 1997, the United Way of Greater High Point and the United Way of Greensboro became one of the eight United Ways in the country to receive DeWitt Wallace-Reader’s Digest funds to replicate Bridges to Success locally. The mission of Bridges to Success is to ensure that economically disadvantaged children have the opportunity to achieve their full individual, educational, and career potential. Through partnerships with education, human and community service delivering systems the emphasis is placed on positive youth development during non-school hours that reinforces the academic learning, parental involvement in children’s lives and helping schools become lifelong learning centers and community hubs.
Current Activities
EXCEL Early Care Scholarships
Southside Family Resource Center / Tap in to the Library
Born Learning – Early Childhood Parent Education Campaign
LEAD Safe High Point – Children’s Initiatives will serve as the principal outreach partner to convene a community wide collaboration to promote lead hazard awareness, referral of children for lead poisoning screening, and referral of residential property owner for lead paint remediation.
Strengthening Families United – Pilot initiative sponsored by United Way of America and funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. A strengths based, protective factors approach to building strong families and the community resources needed to support our strong families.
“Children Do Come With Directions – A Guide for Parents of Children Birth through 5” English and Spanish versions
“Children Do Come With Directions – A Guide for Parents of Children Ages 5 to12” English version
Children’s Cabinet / Harmony House – work with community partners to establish additional high quality foster homes in High Point and build resources for foster families.
Child Advocacy
Special Projects and Grants
Fairview Elementary
Kirkman Park Elementary
Montlieu Elementary
Allen Jay Elementary
Distribution of Children's Initiatives Funds
1. Children’s Initiatives Committee is presented a budget based on funds available and current strategic plan.
2. Children’s Initiatives Committee recommends budget to United Way of Great High Point’s Board of Directors for approval.
3. Requests for Proposals (RFP) are reviewed by the Children’s Initiatives Committee.
4. Grants are awarded and contracts are secured.
5. Appropriate mid-year reports on outcomes and budgets are required for funded programs.
Children’s Initiatives Involvement in Advocacy
- Position UWGHP as leading advocate for children and families.
- Position UWGHP is convener for collaborations and partnerships to improve the life of children so they will be successful citizens
“Through Children’s Initiatives, the United Way of Greater High Point has enhanced its role as a visible community solutions-provider by collaborating in these community-based initiatives:” Kem Ellis, Co-Chair Children’s Initiatives – March 2009
High Point
Fairview Family Resource Center Advisory Council
Family Service of the Piedmont Hope House Advocacy Advisory Council
High Point Area Arts Council
High Point Children’s Cabinet
High Point Chamber of Commerce - Education Committee
High Point Junior LeagueAdvisory Board
High Point Workforce Preparedness Strategic Planning Task Force – Appointed by Mayor Smothers
High Point Workforce Alliance – appointed by Jim Morgan
Guilford County Schools Strategic Planning Team – Physical and Mental Literacy
Infant Mental Health Court Team – Judge Joe Turner
Lead Safe High Point Outreach Committee
“Community Responsibility” Task Force – Mayor Smothers and Rep. Laura Wiley
Rotary Club of Furnitureland - President 07-08
Guilford County
Family Service of the Piedmont Harmony House Advisory Council
Guilford County Partnership for Children - Board Member 2002-2009
Guilford Education Alliance Board
Guilford Nonprofit Consortium
Steering Committee
Early Head Start / Head Start Policy Council
Juvenile Crime Prevention Commission – Appointed by County Commissioner Davis
Ready Together Partnership – Cemala, Bryan, UWGHP, UWGSO,
UNCG Center for Youth, Family, and Community Partnership, and GCPC
State
United Way of North Carolina Public Policy Committee
National
Strengthening Families United