Iredell County Covid-19 Education Fund

Covid-19 has changed the way of life for many in Iredell County, but families which are living paycheck to paycheck are certainly feeling the effects especially deep at this point.   With schools functioning with a virtual aspect to them many families do not have the support to continue working full-time and pay for a safe space where their children can learn.  Families are also struggling to find ways to support the mental, and social interaction time which is needed to continue expanding the minds of youth.  Noticing these two problems the Iredell County Covid-19 Education Fund has been developed.

This fund is a joint partnership between United Way of Iredell County, Iredell County Government and the Iredell – Statesville School System.  The purpose is to support academic excellence for students and economic success for families duing the current pandemic.  As funds allow two strategies will be used.

  • Scholarship funds to help provide child-care to low-income, employed families on days when their children are not attending school on site.  The scholarships will be available for use by any licensed Iredell County child care center for school age children (5-18).  Slots will be reserved in advance by each participating center by contacting United Way staff.  Only the child care center can directly request information from [email protected].  Scholarships are not guaranteed, but will be paid on a first come first served basis while funds are available.

  • On-going grants to support child serving agency partners.  These grants were awarded through the United Way Community Investment Process and will be paid monthly from 7/1/20 – 6/30/21.  The awards included in this fund’s work are:

    • ​Boy Scouts
    • Boys & Girls Clubs
    • Children’s Hope Alliance
    • Girl Scouts
    • Iredell County Hospice and Palliative Care-Rainbow Kids
    • Iredell County Partnership for Young Children
    • Piedmont Mediation
    • Pharos Parenting (SCAN)
    • YMCA of Statesville

The performance of grant recipients, emerging needs of our community and any need for strategy changes necessitated by shifts in the pandemic at a local level will be monitored on an on-going basis by a diverse group of local volunteers appointed to a steering committee for this fund.

I’m interested in learning how to support this fund!

Visit https://bit.ly/ICchild to donate an amount which suits your budget at this time.  You can also text ICchild to the number 41444 to receive a direct link.

To participate, families which are qualified for free and reduced lunches should reach out to providers listed at: https://www.iredellnc.com/guides/374-iss-school-age-childcare-programs

Licensed child care programs should contact [email protected] for further information on participating.

If you are looking for assistance of any type we encourage individuals to call the phone number 2-1-1 to reach professionals who can direct you to any human service needs in the county.