Greater Mankato Area United Way believes that youth are our communities treasure...
The 2009 Campaign Initiative, Connecting Kids gets to the heart of that belief. Upon reaching our campaign goal, we will be able to provide $25,000 towards scholarships for youth in grades K-5 to get involved in youth development programs.

Local research shows that 40% of the youth in our area are not involved in after-school activities or clubs.

National research indicates that children who are not involved are 
37% more likely to become teen parents and
49% more likely to use drugs.

The goals of this initiative is to:
1. Educate parents/gaurdians of the opportunities
in our community to get kids involved and
2. Provide resources to those households so that they can
get their child(ren) involved in youth development programming.

Greater Mankato Area United Way has provided opportunities to youth through our partner programs:
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Mankato Area Youth Athletic Association (MAYAA)
Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association (MAYBA)
Mankato Area Girls Fast-pitch Association (MAGFA)
Mankato United Soccer Club (MUSC)
YMCA
YWCA 

Through the Connecting Kids Initiative, we will be expanding opportunities to youth through new partnerships with the following Connecting Kids Partners:
Curling Club
Camp Courage
Community Education and Recreation
Children’s Chorus
Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra
Mankato Ballet Company
Mankato Figure Skating Club
Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center
The Sal Youth Center
Twin Rivers Center for the Arts programs