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United Way of Pinal County highlights literacy, workforce and local Florence initiative
Summary
United Way of Pinal County presented a suite of programs to Florence council, including a local Better Beginnings early‑reading initiative (760 enrolled) and countywide literacy and workforce supports; the group said 23% of Florence third‑graders are reading on grade level and urged early‑childhood interventions.
Joseph Caruso, director of development and community engagement for United Way of Pinal County, told the Florence Town Council on June 16 that the nonprofit has expanded local programs aimed at early literacy and financial stability.
Caruso summarized three core education initiatives: a Reading by Third Grade effort in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (about 3,200 countywide recipients, 760 in the Florence school district), a Family, Friend and Neighbor child‑care training program (250 families served), and a Paths to Success GED scholarship program. He said the Florence‑specific program, Better Beginnings, has enrolled hundreds of children and that “23% of Florence third graders are reading,” a figure council members said underscored the urgency of early‑childhood work.
Caruso framed the literacy work as preventive: early exposure to books and caregiver reading, he said, improves kindergarten readiness and reduces the number of students who fall behind by fourth grade. He also described United Way’s financial‑stability programs — bicycle and vehicle repair assistance, a $3,000 skilled‑workforce grant, and free tax‑preparation services — and said most funding comes from Pinal County businesses and local partners such as Florence Copper and Florence Unified School District.
Council members asked whether programs such as the Dolly Parton book mailings reach homeschoolers and municipal employees; Caruso said anyone under five who lives in Pinal County is eligible and that municipal employees have used the skilled‑workforce funding. Council praise focused on the early‑reading statistic and the organization’s transparency: Caruso pointed council and residents to audit and rating sites for nonprofit financials.
The presentation concluded with an offer to the town to coordinate outreach and referrals; Caruso left contact information for residents seeking services. Council members thanked United Way and encouraged staff to amplify the program’s availability to Florence families.
