At 4,017 square miles, an area half the size of the State of New Jersey, Weld County is the third largest county in Colorado. Our home is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 agricultural and energy producing counties in the United States. There is great wealth and opportunity in Weld County. We are thankful for it. Nevertheless, there are persistent challenges indicating some of our neighbors lack the opportunity to thrive. The United Way of Weld County board of directors has identified and is resourcing five initiative areas that, with your support, can solve Weld County’s long-term challenges.
- Reading Great by 8: Building the foundation for early childhood success. Currently 39% of Weld County children are reading to learn by the beginning of 4th Grade; a goal is to increase this to at least 43% by 2024.
- Thrive by 25: Connecting youth to caring adults. Currently more than 1 in 4 Weld County youth do not have a connection to a caring adult; a goal is that by 2024 a solid 75% will have this connection.
- Weld’s Way Home: Preventing and ending homelessness. Currently there are about 236 individuals and families living outside or in a car in Weld County; a goal is to decrease this to less than 100 by 2024.
- Aging Well: Helping older adults age well in our community. City of Evans, City of Greeley and Garden City are now members of the AARP Network of Age- Friendly Communities; a goal is to lead the community in becoming more age-friendly.
- Connecting Weld: Linking people to the help that they need. While Connecting Weld does not have community-wide goals, its activities support the other four United Way initiative areas in achieving theirs.