United for Education

Since 1923, United Way of Santa Barbara County has been a key leader in local efforts to empower children, families, and communities. Today, United Way now serves Santa Barbara through its own unique collaborative programs, initiatives, and partnerships. Together with its dedicated network of partners, United Way focuses on preparing children for academic success, empowering families to be financially stable, and leading efforts that help our communities recover in times of crisis. To learn more, please visit www.unitedwaysb.org 
 
Throughout its years of service, UC Santa Barbara has been a key partner with United Way, helping to build brighter futures for local students and families through United Way’s direct services and programs like the United Learning Center and the Fun in the Sun summer learning program. In line with UC Santa Barbara’s own commitment to building stronger foundations for academic success, the organization works alongside United Way to create opportunities and expand access for the next generation of students here in our own community. UC Santa Barbara’s annual campaign “United for Education” gives university employees the opportunity to further this mission through the work of United Way by contributing their time, talents, and/or financial support.

The UCSB United Way Committee stands with you, United for Education. 

Letter From Chancellor Yang

Dear Members of Our Campus Community,

For over 100 years, United Way of Santa Barbara County has been a steadfast partner in our community, dedicated to supporting our neighbors and building a stronger, more resilient future for all. At UC Santa Barbara, we are honored to share in this legacy by hosting the oldest United Way Campaign in Santa Barbara County. 

This year, UC Santa Barbara will hold our annual United Way Campaign, “United for Education,” January 22 through March 7, 2025. In line with our campaign theme, we are recognizing and amplifying the importance of education and academic success, especially in promoting literacy among our youth. Last year marked United Way’s biggest year of expansion in program history, with notable growth in its academic achievement programs, which provided critical support to more students and families than ever before. As United Way continues to expand its reach, our support is needed to sustain and enhance these pivotal initiatives. As part of the campaign, we will come together for our annual Bean Bag Toss Tournament and will finish with the sweet gift of Candy Grams. For more information about our UC Santa Barbara United Way Campaign, please visit www.dia.ucsb.edu/unitedway

Throughout its three focus areas — academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery — United Way continues to make an extraordinary impact on our community. Programs like Fun in the Sun, the United Learning Center, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance provide critical resources and tools to help children and families build stronger foundations for future success.
 
Through the Brighter Futures Childcare Fund, United Way has partnered with UC Santa Barbara’s Early Childhood Care and Education Services on the conversion of a preschool classroom into an infant/toddler classroom at the Orfalea Family Children’s Center. United Way’s grant to UCSB will help fund the remodel of a safe, enriching, and fun outdoor space for this new classroom. 

To learn more about United Way’s resources and programs, please visit www.unitedwaysb.org. 

As we join United Way in its mission to enrich the lives of children and families in our community, we are all inspired by our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who support the communities around us in so many ways. I encourage all of us to learn more about United Way of Santa Barbara County, and to invest in our community with a gift of service or financial support. No matter how you give, your gift makes a difference and is deeply appreciated! 

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor