United Way of Northern Arizona

United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) improves lives by mobilizing communities to make lasting changes in community conditions.

Established in 1967, United Way of Northern Arizona brings communities in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties together to Step Up for Our Youth, tackling the big challenges in early childhood development and positive youth development. Together, we can drive solutions to make lasting positive changes for the next generation.

Our programs and partnerships start with supporting the mental well-being of children, including early childhood development programs, initiatives that support parents, and programs that foster healthy relationships, social/emotional learning, and physical health.

As children grow up, the focus shifts to ensuring that all northern Arizona youth have a sense of well-being and inclusion. This includes building their self-confidence, making sure they feel accepted and respected, fostering a positive peer culture, and connecting them with mentors.

Finally, a successful community will shepherd adolescents into adulthood by helping them become leaders, with a focus on decision making skills, self-management, problem solving, and goal setting.

We also ensure that the basic needs of safety and security are met for all who live here by directing resources where they are needed most, quickly and efficiently.

Signature Programs
Contributions to the United Way of Northern Arizona help sustain a network of collaborative partners. Additionally, UWNA spearheads several signature initiatives with partners in the community.

KinderCamp™ is an early education program that gives children ages 4 and 5 the foundational social and academic skills necessary for a successful transition into kindergarten. In KinderCamp, students learn much more than their letters and numbers. They also get familiar with riding on a school bus, eating in a cafeteria setting, and working cooperatively with other students. The biggest transformation for these students, according to their parents, is their increased confidence and excitement about starting school.

The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) helps families nurture a culture of literacy by providing free books to children in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties. Being read to or having a small child be able to flip through a book and look at the pictures are key behaviors that foster literacy. They teach children how to "operate" a book, and that amazing images and stories are waiting for them between the covers. Under the program, DPIL provides a carefully selected children's book to children aged 0-5 once a month free of charge, delivered straight to their door. Building this home library will encourage a lifelong love of reading that will strengthen and support these children throughout their academic careers.

Safety & Security. United Way of Northern Arizona is on the front lines in times of crisis for individuals, families, and even entire communities. We partner with local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations so that the basic needs of safe housing, adequate food and overall quality of life are improved for all northern Arizonans. UWNA also marshals volunteers
and financial support in times of crisis, such as wildfires, floods, and other emergencies.

Testimonials

Testimonials from parents who have children who have attended KinderCamp™ :
• My baby girl learned so much and has become so much more outgoing - thank you so much.
• Riding the bus has given my son a sense of independence.
• She loved sharing her projects with us and any songs she learned that day. We loved our experience with KinderCamp!
• My child would talk about KinderCamp every day and night after school.
• He was able to sign his Father's Day card for his daddy.