For many kids
living in poverty,
summer isn’t fair
When school lets out for summer, kids living in poverty can fall behind
Across the United States and around the world, kids are missing out on critical learning opportunities due to unequal access to resources. That's why Save the Children works to fill critical gaps in early learning to help ensure children have a healthy, strong foundation to thrive as learners. Together, with support from partners and donors like you, we're working to make summer fair.
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In the U.S., children living in poverty are starting kindergarten 18 months developmentally behind their peers
Save the Children works in more than 300 of rural America’s most impoverished communities, helping kids prepare for kindergarten and reach grade-level goals
Last year, Save the Children supported 1 million children across the U.S. with school and summer programming, along with vital supplies and resources for their families and communities
Learn Why We're Working to Make Summer Fair!
In rural communities across the country, children from a wide range of backgrounds often struggle to access early education, nutritious food and the other resources they need to thrive.
- In 39 states, rural children are more likely to grow up in poverty than non-rural kids.
- Rural families are nearly 20% more likely to receive public assistance than non-rural families.
- Rural children are more likely to face food insecurity, with nearly 1 in 2 rural kids eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.
- Millions of kids living in rural America don't own a single book
Save the Children works with local partners to ensure children have a healthy, strong foundation to succeed as learners and in life. We bring decades of experience and expertise to delivering scalable solutions to the challenges children face through partnerships, programs, innovation and advocacy.
We’re at work in nearly every state, delivering educational support, child care, mental health resources and so much more.
Save the Children collaborates with diverse rural American communities and equips them with resources to help those children who need it most, so kids enter kindergarten more ready to learn on their first day and are more able to reach critical grade-level goals in 3rd and 5th grades.
With a common focus on making a lifelong impact for children, community leaders and our experts work together so all children can thrive.
In addition, over 51,000 children participated in our Summer Reading Challenge last year, reading for a total of over 14.5 million minutes.
For many children in rural America, summer isn’t a fun break from school. When school is out of session, many children in rural America don’t have access to essentials—nutritious food, the chance to learn and explore in safe environments, transportation, playgrounds, and more. It can be three months of isolation and being left behind.
The 'Make Summer Fair' campaign supports Save the Children's work to fill critical gaps in early learning. Together with our local partners, we’re giving kids in rural America various ways to learn and engage with others over the summer.
Donate - Your gift will help provide things like school supplies, books and more to children in the U.S. and around the world.
Advocate – Send a message to Congress to invest in early childhood education.
Learn more about our work in rural America and around the world.
Spread the word - Find us on social media on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Jennifer Garner Helps Make Summer Fair
"The last day of school for children living in poverty is the last day of many things they need."
Jennifer Garner, Save the Children Ambassador and Trustee, joins our Make Summer Fair campaign to shed light on how a lack of resources and opportunities during the summer impacts children academically and socially.
With your support, we are bringing meals, education and books to the children who need them most, all summer long.
Summer should be the best time of year for kids − and with your help, it can be.
See the Impact Your Support Can Make — and Join Us!
In this New Mexico community, nearly 200 children in grades K-6 came together to help create a 90-foot, paint-by-numbers mural. "This mural symbolizes the community partnerships in San Juan County working together, to provide kids education, dreams and community supports they need to thrive as learners and in life," said Yaha Aguilera, Save the Children's New Mexico State Director. "
"Eliminating learning loss has been a big challenge through the pandemic, said Superintendent Dr. Kim Mizell. "We're still trying to catch them back up."
Instead of looking forward to the first day of school, millions across the U.S. worry they won’t be able to keep up with their classmates.
But child care and early learning can change that.
High-quality, accessible opportunities give soon-to-be students the tools they need to succeed, ensuring no child falls behind.
Thanks to Our Partners
Our partners help support Save the Children and Make Summer Fair. Learn more.
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