Kristen McCollum

When children thrive, we all thrive. Kids are born with limitless potential. And every child —from McDonough to Marietta, from College Park to Norcross, from Atlanta to Austell—deserves the opportunity to thrive. But in Greater Atlanta, thousands of kids are faced with roadblocks where they should be met with possibilities. When we unite, we can unlock their potential, creating a brighter future, for every community. Our Child Well-Being Index shows that in 79 neighborhoods across our region, child well-being is declining. These neighborhoods are located in every one of Greater Atlanta's 13 counties, and often they're separated by just a few short blocks from the neighborhoods with the most access to opportunity. For the 77,000 youth who call these neighborhoods home, that means that they're facing inequitable barriers to success. They have big dreams—but gaps in opportunities and resources stand in their way of achieving them. These aren’t just numbers. They’re our neighbors. When you join the movement to improve child well-being, you open pathways to opportunity, helping to: - Give more families access to quality early learning programs, so kids become strong learners. - Provide apprenticeship opportunities for youth, equipping them for high-growth careers. - Put college within reach for more families, through academic supports and financial aid access. - Set individuals up for financial stability, through stable housing, access to healthcare and employment opportunities. - Support community-led solutions, so that everyone—regardless of race or zip code—can thrive. Our guiding question is “how are the children?” United, we’re working toward a future where we can respond with “all the children are well.” Join the movement at unitedwayatlanta.org