Youth Opportunity

Helping Young People Realize Their Full Potential

Of children under 18 in Payne County live in poverty. 

Reported cases of child abuse in 2024. 

Of Oklahoma's fourth graders score below basic reading levels. 

Partner Agency Work In Action

At United Way, we take a comprehensive approach to enhance education and youth opportunities. We want Payne County children to be ready for kindergarten, have success in school, and graduate high school prepared for college and career. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in Payne County nonprofit programs that provide high-quality child development education, mentoring, and youth empowerment. We also provide free educational resources, specifically school supplies through 4 Kids and Community and no-cost books through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

By partnering with local nonprofits we are helping ensure children 0-5 have the supports they need from pediatric development and well-being screening, parent support, to early literacy tools. 

ENGAGING PARENTS AND FAMILIES

To ensure children are ready for school and supporting their development, parents and families must be engaged. Our partner agencies help parents and families with resources, tools and information they need to support their children. 

ENSURING ACCESS TO RESOURCES

All children deserve the resources they need to succeed. By partnering with community-based organizations, we are helping ensure access to resources such as food, school supplies, books, and more.

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