Our Impact
on Education
Day of Caring
United Way of South Texas focuses all Day of Caring resources towards providing school supplies for 3,500 Freshmen every year.
Approximately 32,200 students have benefited from this United Way program since it was launched in 2011.
Annually, the following school supplies are provided to eligible students:
- 3500 Binders
- 525,000 Sheets of Paper
- 7,000 Highlighters
- 35,000 Pens
- 35,000 Pencils
- 7,000 Erasers
- 175,000 Index Cards
Back-to-School "In Style" Shopping Spree
Since 1996, United Way’s Back-to-School “In Style” Shopping Spree has provided school attire, personal hygiene items and school supplies to 150 middle school students. Counselors select children from families with the most financial challenges. Over 200 volunteers participate as Shopping Buddies on an annual basis. The annual event is co-sponsored by Target, who donates the backpacks and school supplies. United Way awards the same opportunity to participating districts in Hidalgo and Starr Counties on a rotating basis. The following are provided to eligible students:
- $150 per student
- School Attire
- Personal Hygiene Items
- Hair Cuts
- School Supplies
Education Council
The Education Council is represented by eight school districts (Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D., La Joya I.S.D., McAllen I.S.D., Mercedes I.S.D., Monte Alto I.S.D., Rio Grande City Grulla I.S.D., Roma I.S.D. and Weslaco I.S.D.). Social Workers identify crucial need of students in drop-out recovery programs, administer UW funded emergency grants and food pantries. An estimated 8,800 food baskets were distributed in 2022 to help families prepare healthy meals.
Youth Leadership Mentorship Program
The United Way’s Youth Leadership Mentorship Program empowers Juniors and Freshman with leadership skills, soft skills, volunteer opportunities and financial literacy training. Counselors identify Freshman to participate as mentees and Juniors volunteer as mentors. In the past four years, 501 students have participated from the following school districts:
- Weslaco I.S.D.
- Mercedes I.S.D.
- McAllen I.S.D.
- Sharyland I.S.D.
Invested to purchase essential supplies for students, to allow them to succeed in school.
Students have started the school year with proper clothing and hygiene items that allow them to focus on learning.
Units of supplies were distributed to middle school students including hygiene items, backpacks, clothing and more.