Many people have the misconception that United Way is an organization about raising money, President and CEO Lesley Scearce said.
She describes it as an organization about raising hope.
United Way's goals include continuing to make sure that every child under age 5 has books in the home through the Imagination Library, she said. And it plans to increase the number of preschoolers it tests for potential developmental delays from 19 percent to 85 percent, knowing that early detection allows for intervention and better life outcomes.
United Way also is working with Chattanooga 2.0 to increase kindergarten readiness from 40 percent of students to 80 percent by 2025. And the nonprofit wants to help at least 90 percent of students feel highly engaged in learning, which will lead to more students graduating and being ready for college and work, Scearce said.
"Fifty years ago I was that Chattanooga child who needed your support," said Darrell Freeman, speaking last week at United Way's kickoff for its 2016 fundraising campaign. He founded Zycron, one of the largest information technology services companies in the state and co-founded Tennessee-based Reliant Bank (which merged with Commerce Union Bank) and Pinnacle Construction Partners.
United Way's goal is to raise $11 million, about $250,000 more than was contributed in 2015.
Prisons or educating children? Which would the community rather invest in, Freeman asked the crowd, explaining that most well-educated children avoid prison.
Freeman grew up in a Jackson Street duplex in Chattanooga, attended Orchard Knob Elementary, Dalewood Middle and graduated from Kirkman High School. He dropped out of Chattanooga State Community College after getting a 1.234 grade point average in his first quarter, he said.
He said it was by chance that he visited a friend at Middle Tennessee State University and was attracted to the school. There, said Freeman, he met teachers who took an interest in him. They told him he was not a victim and his success would depend on him, not what anybody did to him or allowed him to do. When he believed he was responsible for his own destiny, his mindset changed and it laid the path for his success, he said.
"Today, there is a new generation waiting on your support," Freeman told the crowd.
Visit unitedwaycha.org to donate, learn more or get involved.