Our United Voice

1 Zip Code. 17 New Libraries.

Monday, December 22, 2014


 Mary Grissom
Director of Engagement Initiatives



      I'm honored to be part of and a recent graduate of Leadership Louisville Center’s Bingham Fellows program that chose "investing in West Louisville's path to prosperity" as its focus for 2014.  Because of my role at Metro United Way, I'm especially passionate about this because a huge part of this work is a project called "Early Education 40210."

The 40210 zip code, which includes the neighborhoods of Algonquin, California and Park Hill, has one of the lowest rates of kindergarten readiness in our community with only 35% of kids screened as ready for school this past year. And we know that children who start behind, tend to stay behind - leading to significant achievement gaps and challenges in graduating high school on time.

In partnership with Metro United Way, Jefferson County Public Schools and the Louisville Free Public Library, Early Education 40210 focuses on parent engagement in child development, early literacy, and quality early education and childcare settings. 


This I Believe

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

President & CEO
We hear a lot about the magic of BELIEVING during the holidays, and my message to you for the season reflects that.


At Metro United Way, we believe everyone can achieve their fullest potential through education, financial stability and healthy lives. And that success in life starts with a quality education so that kids are ready before they even set foot in a classroom. Sadly today, 47% of children in our community are behind when they enter kindergarten.