To unite our community to improve people’s lives.

Youth Opportunity

Helping young people succeed through education, mentorship, and support from early childhood to college readiness.

What We Do

UWSN is dedicated to ensuring that every young person can reach their full potential. Our Youth Opportunity initiatives provide essential education, resources, and support for children and teens—from early childhood programs to mentorship and college prep. By investing in our youth at every stage of development, we are building pathways to brighter futures.

Our Programs

Our Nevada Ready! State Pre-K program provides local 4-year-olds with access to high-quality early education. Partnering with the Nevada Department of Education and 60 local centers, it offers scholarships for free full-day preschool and ongoing teacher training. Since the start of the program in 2015, the Nevada Ready! State Pre-K program has awarded more than 7,500 scholarships, preparing students for kindergarten with strong language, literacy, and social skills while supporting families.

Your family’s yearly household income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Click here to see if your family qualifies.

Learn more here.

UWSN’s Preschool for Nevada program provides free Pre-K scholarships for children ages 3 and 4. Families must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, and children must turn 3 or 4 on or before August 1, 2025. We partner with quality early education centers across Southern Nevada to ensure families receive the highest standard of care and education.

Learn more here.

Neighborhood Network supports children cared for by family, friends, and neighbors (FFNs), who provide childcare for 73% of Pre-K students in Clark County. The program offers early learning activities, resources, and field trips that help children build the skills they need to start school ready to succeed.

To learn more, email NevadaReady@uwsn.org.

United Way of Southern Nevada seeks grant funding requests from charitable nonprofit organizations to provide programs and services to Southern Nevada residents annually. This grant opportunity is made possible by the generous, undesignated contributions from donors at workplaces throughout Southern Nevada, corporate grants, and private philanthropic contributions.

View our Youth Opportunity Community Impact Grant partners below.

Our Democracy Fellowship initiative prepares high school students to become informed civic leaders. Through workshops, mentorship, and engagement with elected officials, Fellows serve as poll workers and advocates on community issues. The program fosters leadership and civic knowledge, equipping youth to shape a more inclusive and equitable future.

Learn more here.

Our United Readers Program helps K–5 students build foundational reading skills through one-on-one and small group mentoring. Using evidence-based lessons in phonics, fluency, and comprehension, mentors gain professional development for careers in education and social services. The program strengthens literacy, fosters a love of reading, and develops future community leaders.

Learn more here.

UWSN’s Women United funds a four-year, renewing scholarship of up to $5,000 per year that is open to all female high school seniors in Clark County who attend a four-year program in Southern Nevada.

To learn more, email karena@uwsn.org.