Learning for living means lifelong success. (An Advertising Supplement to the Los Angeles Business Journal: Corporate Education).

Promoting educational growth and achievement for adults and children is one of the three goals of United Way's Community Agenda. Learning for Living programs ensure that children enter kindergarten ready to learn, youth excel in school and adults have the education they need to succeed as parents, at work and in their civic responsibilities.

Last fall, United Way released a comprehensive summary on the state of L.A.'s preschool children entitled, From Cradle to K: Ensuring Success By Six For All L.A. Children. Among the trends identified, the report revealed that a large percentage of L.A. County children are not entering kindergarten prepared to learn.

During childhood, development in areas such as mental ability, language and social skills occur by the time a child is three, well before school age. If a child does not receive appropriate stimulation during these key learning periods, corresponding abilities are likely to be severely limited. Yet families are largely on their own during these most crucial years, with little community support.

With the help of founding grants from Bank of America, United Way launched Success By 6, an early childhood initiative that addresses the issues of school readiness. Success By 6 makes sure that young children enter kindergarten ready to learn by focusing on improving the skills of parents and caregivers who act as a child's first teachers.

"The best way we can prepare young children for success is by supporting parents and childcare providers in learning how to create an enriching environment for their child," notes Kristine Williams, director of United Way's Community Agenda.

The innovation and impact of Success By 6, can already be seen in pilot neighborhoods in South Central and Highland Park, where as many as 2,000 adults and children have participated in programming that includes family literacy, parenting education and childcare training.

With the current issues in school readiness, come challenges associated with youth already in school. Only 62% of L.A. County youth graduate from high school, limiting the future career choices and earning potential of those who do not receive their diploma. Many students, particularly in low-income areas, also lack computer literacy skills, as only 9% of households with income less than $20,000 per year have access to computers, compared to 42% of households earning $60,000 or more.

United Way is investing in the future with Tomorrow's Leaders, a youth initiative sponsored by the Southern California Gas Company. Implemented at 14 locations countywide, Tomorrow's Leaders prepares youth for success in school and in life by building confidence and character through relationships with caring adult mentors. Homework assistance plays a large part in program design, as does leadership development, athletics, career development, the arts and other recreational and academic activities.

In its first year, Tomorrow's Leaders made a significant impact on 2,202 participating students. Of the 1,258 Tomorrow's Leaders students evaluated for their performance in math, 714 participants improved their math grades, including 584 students with low grades in that area. Additionally, 515 youth with low reading grades improved and 249 youth who started the program "needing improvement" in their relationships with peers and adults demonstrated a new ability to form quality social bonds with others. Through greater access to technology, 1,350 students also achieved basic computer literacy.

While enhancing scholastic opportunities for the young is important, of equal importance is supporting adults and parents in their efforts to succeed at work, as parents and in their civic responsibilities. United Way's Learning For Living funds programs in the important areas of parenting education, cultural transition services and other basic services that allow adults to improve their education.

Because of their lack of schooling, many parents are not able to help their children in school or improve family financial health with higher paying jobs. Over the years, income has declined for every education level except college graduates, meaning experienced workers with lower levels of schooling are at a severe disadvantage in their earning capacity.

One of the many agencies helping United Way promote adult education is Basic Adult Spanish Education (BASE). United Way's relationship with BASE began in 1989, when the founder and executive director, Virginia Rafelson, started her adult education and English as a Second Language classes out of a United Way office in the San Fernando Valley. Today, BASE holds classes at 14 locations and helps adults learn skills that increase their ability to care for their families, obtain meaningful work and be model citizens.

"We want to train people to become productive, legal citizens," Rafelson notes. "We teach basics on how to live in the U.S. and promote the importance of understanding laws and customs; what to do and what not to do. All of our courses teach civics on some level."

A portion of BASE's educational services also focuses on helping adults obtain increased job skills. BASE offers training for those interested in both the childcare and eldercare sectors. While some have used their knowledge to care for their own families, others have sought opportunities in opening childcare centers or in positions as teaching assistants in local elementary schools. BASE's curriculum also offers a Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA) course that trains graduates to become state-licensed CNAs. All told, BASE services mean increased education opportunities for approximately 1,000 residents each year.

This article was provided by United Way. For information on supporting United Way through a workplace campaign or personal gift, please contact Jamie Mainvielle, VP Resource Development, at [phone]. For more information on Success By 6, please contact Kristine Williams at [phone] or visit vvww.unitedwayla.org.