United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWBSC) has partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB) for United Learning Center – GRAD Academy. This partnership will transition students who previously attended the Housing Authority’s GRAD Academy after school program to United Way’s long standing United Learning Center programming.
After operating an after-school learning center for nearly 20 years, the Housing Authority’s original GRAD (Growth, Readiness and Development) Academy services became considerably impacted by COVID-19.
Given the importance of the HACSB’s after-school center operations, particularly at a time when students are facing substantial learning loss, HACSB knew it would be best to partner with a local organization specializing in serving youth for the administration of continuing their program.
Based on its existing United Learning Center, UWSBC was selected as the most suitable applicant with their curriculum and experience in literacy development and small group instruction.
The United Way’s United Learning Center is a known successful program with the main classroom at the United Way facility and satellite classrooms at local schools and other locations. Through small group tutoring in reading and writing, students and instructors work together on personalized lesson plans developed by a credentialed teacher.
The focus is on “whole child success” achieved through data driven instruction and a robust enrichment curriculum developed to engage learners at all levels. Students that attend the United Learning Center gain an average of two grade levels in their literacy skills working in 12 week cohorts.
“During this time, it is extremely important that students have additional educational support to prevent even greater learning loss as a result of the pandemic,” said Steve Ortiz, CEO of UWSBC. “We are honored to partner with the HACSB‘s GRAD Academy and we look forward to seeing successful outcomes for years to come.”
“With their proven track record, we have 100% confidence in the UWSBC’s ability to continue powerful educational support for local students through this collaboration,” said Rob Fredericks, CEO of HACSB, adding, “stable affordable housing coupled with educational opportunities are foundational to the success of our resident youth.”
UWSBC and HACSB recognizes the Assistance League (AL) of Santa Barbara as key partners in the program. The AL has been working with HACSB since the afterschool program began 20 years ago. They are committed to supporting local students in their academics and will work with UWSBC in this new partnership with HASCB.
The United Learning Center – GRAD Academy opens Sept. 7; enrollment is underway. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaysb.org/united-learning-center.