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Author: Meg Costa

Tocqueville Members Upped the Ante at 2026 Bench & Bar Boo-Ray Tournament

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

On March 30, members of the Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society gathered at the Crow Library for an evening of friendly competition, connection and philanthropy at the Bench & Bar Boo-Ray Tournament. Hosted by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Tocqueville Society, the event brought together distinguished leaders from the North Texas legal community for a unique networking experience centered on purpose.

This was a historic evening as it marked the highest attended Tocqueville Society event to-date.

Designed to strengthen relationships and expand the Tocqueville Society’s impact, the evening celebrated a legacy of service while building momentum for the future. Attendees enjoyed lively rounds of the card game Boo-Ray and the opportunity to connect with peers who share a commitment to driving meaningful change across the region.

The event underscored the power of collective giving and leadership. Through the Tocqueville Society, members continue to champion United Way’s mission, investing in initiatives that improve access to education, income and health for North Texans. As United Way marks the Tocqueville Society’s 40th anniversary, gatherings like this highlight the enduring impact of engaged, community-minded leaders.

“This year is especially meaningful as we kick off our Year of Tocqueville, celebrating the past, present and future of the Tocqueville Society,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way Metropolitan Dallas. “In fact, this year marks 40 years since Ruth Sharp Altshuler—our beloved ‘Ruthie’—founded the Dallas Tocqueville Society Chapter. It is an exceptional year to honor all that we have built together and all the work we have to do with this group of change-makers and innovators.”

An Ace Event

The evening was defined by spirited gameplay and meaningful connections. Legal leaders from across the region stepped away from their daily roles to engage in a relaxed, collaborative environment—strengthening relationships that extend beyond the courtroom and into the community.

Over the past four years, this tournament has exceeded every expectation, raising more than $700,000 and welcoming more than 60 new Tocqueville members into the United Way family.

This event also served as a reminder of the Tocqueville Society’s continued leadership in advancing United Way’s mission. Through their generosity and advocacy, members are helping shape a brighter future for North Texas families.

The event also honored the legendary leadership of Erin Nealy Cox and Trey Cox, who served as co-chairs of the Tocqueville Society from 2022 until 2025. They have since passed the honor to the new Tocqueville Society co-chairs: Laura and Jason Downing, Jill and Rod Burns, Laura and Jason Downing, Kaori Mitsuhashi and Mike Hsu, and Cristy and David McAtee.

“Erin and Trey have ‘ante’d’ up big time for North Texas,” Sampson said. “They didn’t just make this event a whole lot of fun, they elevated the Tocqueville Society, bringing new energy, new donors and greater impact to our community. Because of leaders like them, United Way is able to do greater work than ever before.”

Three lucky winners received gift cards to Cafe Momentum, a social entrepreneur restaurant—the very first investment of our Social Innovation Accelerator—started by James Beard award-winning chef Chad Houser. Congratulations to our winners, Stephanie Zapata Moore, April Goff and Ning Chiu, who received gift cards awarded by Cecily Gooch on behalf of the events’ presenting sponsor, FTI Consulting.

Save the Date for Our 40th Anniversary Tocqueville Celebration

We are excited to celebrate the Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society’s 40th Anniversary this year. Please save the date for what is sure to be an exceptional celebration of innovation and impact.

Tocqueville Society’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

February 3, 2027
Fairmont Dallas
1717 N. Akard St., Dallas, TX 75201

Thank you to our 40th Anniversary Luncheon Chairs:

  • Jennifer Staubach Gates and John Gates
  • Michelle Staubach Grimes and John Grimes
  • Amy Staubach Mentgen and Jamie Mentgen
  • Stephanie Staubach Phillips
  • Jenny and Jeff Staubach

Read our blog to learn more about the Staubach family and their commitment to United Way’s mission.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Special thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible:

  • FTI Consulting
  • Reed Smith LLP
  • Gibson Dunn
  • Sidley Austin 

Leadership & Host Committee

Finally, a big thank you to our Tocqueville leadership who made the event such a success:

Tocqueville Society Co-Chairs

  • Laura and Jason Downing
  • Jill and Rod Burns
  • Laura and Jason Downing
  • Kaori Mitsuhashi and Mike Hsu
  • Cristy and David McAtee

Tocqueville Society Honorary Co-Chairs

  • Erin Nealy Cox and Trey Cox
  • Regen Horchow and Ken Hersh

Women of Tocqueville Chair

  • Katie Rose

Event Co-Chairs, General Counsel Host Committee

  • Katie Kane – Texas Instruments
  • Scott Ewing – Trinity Industries
  • Michele Lau -McKesson

Bench & Bar General Counsel Host Committee

  • Jessica Bateman – Atmos Energy
  • Van Beckwith – Halliburton
  • Shonn Brown – Heidelberg Materials North America
  • Kristen Cook – The Brink’s Company
  • Sarah Decker – McAfee
  • Ashley Duffie – Celanese
  • Von Hays – Comerica Bank
  • John Henrich – Cineworld Cinemas
  • Marc Kesselman – Purdue Pharma L.P.
  • David McAtee – AT&T
  • Grant McGee – Kimberly-Clark Corporation
  • Stephanie Zapata Moore – Vistra Corp.
  • Rachel Morgan – Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
  • Adrienne Mosley – PepsiCo
  • Sandra Phillips – Toyota
  • Rudy Rodriguez – Dave & Buster’s
  • Bryan Stevenson – Arcosa
  • Cathy Tang – Qdoba
father carrying baby girl

Child Abuse Prevention Month: How North Texans Can Help Support Local Families

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, an opportunity for our entire community to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect—and to come together to prevent them. 

Every year, thousands of children across North Texas are abused or neglected. Mistreatment during early childhood development can create negative impacts that last a lifetime, hindering an individual’s success in school, work and relationships; damaging their physical and mental health; and contributing to a cycle of violence. 

On the flip side, individuals, families and entire communities thrive when parents and other caregivers have what they need to succeed—when they feel empowered and informed to support their child’s development at every stage.  

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, parent education is a top priority. We lead and invest in programs that empower parents with knowledge, experience and resources, because when caregivers have what they need to be successful, they create a foundation that supports all three of our focus areas: education, income and health. 

Read on to learn more about how we can all work together to ensure North Texas children are safe and thriving. 

Dallas-Fort Worth Leads the State in Child Abuse Cases 

Child abuse and neglect are far too common, both nationwide and in Texas. Last year, there were nearly 60,000 confirmed victims of child abuse across our state, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Tragically, 124 children died due to abuse and neglect.  

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex led the state in cases of child abuse and neglect, with 12,091 children served by Child Protective Services (CPS). More than 4,000 of those cases happened in Dallas County alone, making it the third most dangerous county for children in the state.  

How Child Abuse Affects Our Community 

When children are abused or neglected in North Texas, it has a cascading effect on our entire region. 

Not surprisingly, child abuse significantly hinders a young scholar’s academic performance and can lead to lower grades, test scores and graduation rates. Lower graduation rates mean fewer students attending and finishing college. Over the course of their careers, workers without a higher degree or certificate will earn up to $24,000 less annually, on average, than their peers. Workers with lower incomes are more likely to accumulate debt, typically have less savings and are less likely to afford health insurance, leading to poorer health outcomes. 

Meanwhile, the long-term cognitive effects of child abuse—which can include anxiety, depression and mental and physical health conditions—only exacerbate these challenges over a person’s lifetime.  

Abigail Sharp, vice president of early childhood initiatives at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, says we see the effects of child abuse throughout a person’s lifetime and across our communities. 

“Over time, child abuse impacts entire communities by restricting the supply of skilled workers, hindering our economic output and increasing health insurance costs,” she explained. “It really does impact all of us, so it’s important that we work together to empower parents with knowledge and resources, so every child grows up able to reach their full potential. And with thousands of children suffering right now across North Texas, it is urgent that we continue to act through prevention efforts.” 

How to Prevent Child Abuse in North Texas 

Despite the discouraging statistics, there is plenty to be hopeful about. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective services, prevention is a powerful tool, even in the most extreme cases of abuse or neglect. “In nearly every child maltreatment fatality, someone or some system could have intervened and prevented the child’s death,” the agency wrote in its 2025 report on our state’s child abuse trends.  

Research shows that there are a variety of ways to prevent child abuse, including: 

  • Raising awareness of the factors that can contribute to child abuse and neglect, including stress, tiredness and a lack of parenting skills or family/community support  
  • Providing clear, consistent messaging about ways to protect children, such as safe sleep practices and water safety  
  • Highlighting the fact that abuse can happen in families of all backgrounds and income levels  
  • Equipping parents with tools and knowledge about their children and key development milestones so they know what to expect at every stage  
  • Giving caregivers opportunities to build their skills, which enables them to react, even to challenging situations, in a healthy, constructive way 
  • Connecting parents with supportive community resources 

Parental education and support programs directly benefit parents and prevent abuse. At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we lead and invest in programs that empower caregivers to create safe, healthy and happy homes and eliminate common parenting stressors that increase the risk for child abuse and neglect.  

When our community comes together to better support parents, their children are in a better position to thrive in all three of our focus areas—education, income and health—because a safe, healthy home environment creates a lifelong foundation. Preventing child abuse also saves our state significant amounts of money. Serving a single child in the foster care system for a year costs the state of Texas $17,290, which is 17 times the amount our child abuse prevention programming costs to serve one family. 

Child Abuse Prevention Programs in Dallas 

United Way has been the lead organization on home visiting in Dallas County since 2012. We connect and collaborate with a variety of organizations that offer home visits to support local parents. Each year, our coalition serves thousands of caregivers in North Texas, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to ward off child abuse and neglect before it ever happens. 

Two of our programs focus specifically on supporting families with young children: 

  • Texas Home Visiting Program: Matches local families with a trained home visitor—a nurse, trained professional or volunteer—to answer questions, offer advice, provide support and help prepare kids for kindergarten. 

During our last fiscal year, more than 3,100 local families participated in a home visiting program through HOPES or Texas Home Visiting Program, benefiting parents, children and the community as a whole.  

Let’s Unite to Prevent Child Abuse 

Child abuse cases remain high in North Texas, and we believe every child deserves protection. Join us as we work to prevent child abuse across our region: 

  • Donate to support child abuse prevention. When you invest in United Way, you create lasting change right here at home. Your donation will help support programs like HOPES and Texas Home Visiting Program and ensure all North Texas children have the opportunity to thrive.  
  • Advocate for strong families. Sign up here to receive our Advocacy Alerts and sign up for our new Policy in Brief newsletter. We’ll let you know how and when to contact your lawmakers to advocate for initiatives that prevent child abuse—for example, HOPES and Texas Home Visiting Program.  

Suspect Child Abuse? 

If you suspect abuse or neglect, contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services toll-free at 1-800-252-5400, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also file a report via their Abuse Hotline website. 

Need Support? 

If you are a parent who is struggling, please contact one of our partner agencies for resources and support: 

Through United Way Reading Day, We’re Creating Strong Readers and Even Stronger Communities

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

March 6 marked this year’s United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy, a very special day that brought together nearly 1,000 volunteers across more than 700 classrooms for one simple, powerful purpose: to read. 

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and supporters, more than 13,000 pre-kindergarten and elementary students across 40 campuses and 11 school districts experienced the joy of storytelling—and the spark that reading can ignite in a child’s future. 

Reading Day Drives Progress Toward Our Goals 

Reading at grade level by third grade is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. When children reach this milestone, they are far more likely to graduate, pursue higher education and achieve economic mobility, which enables them to afford quality healthcare.  

As part of the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, Reading Day mobilizes volunteers, corporate partners and civic leaders to promote early literacy—a cornerstone of our Aspire United 2030 goals, which focus on expanding access to education, income and health. 

Given the importance of early literacy, Reading Day is more than a volunteer opportunity. It is a strategic investment in the future of our region. 

This year’s Reading Day theme—the future and its endless possibilities—reinforced that message. Volunteers shared books centered on dreaming big, innovation, perseverance and imagining what comes next, encouraging students to see reading as the key that unlocks opportunity. 

As Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, shared, “As we kick off our second century of impact, Reading Day highlights the powerful role literacy plays in creating opportunity. Reading at grade level by third grade is a key milestone for student success. When our community comes together to share the joy of reading, we’re helping children build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.”

An Unforgettable Volunteer Experience 

For this year’s Reading Day volunteers, the event was fun and memorable, creating an impact for the students that they could see right away. 

Nicole shared that she’s passionate about early reading because she was a big reader when she was a kid, and she feels that it has helped her throughout her life. 

“It’s a great way to experience different cultures and things you might not experience yourself,” she said. “Books can give you a point of view that you might not have. Reading expands your empathy and your creativity—you can go to worlds that don’t even exist.”  

Nicole read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to classroom of third-graders, and she was impressed with how engaged they were with the story.  

“It was so fun. They were great listeners—we talked about what kinds of foods they might want to see fall from the sky,” she said. “We went through the book and then talked about their favorite characters, what happened in the book and what they thought might happen next, which was my favorite part. Kids are really creative, so you kind of get to see them run with that creativity that the book set up.” 

Another volunteer, Scottie, agreed that sharing her love of reading with the kids made her day. “Reading brings me joy and happiness. Today, it was great seeing the kids become engaged with the books we were reading. During the follow-up questions, they were excited to be able to provide their answers.” 

Community Leaders Come Together to Support Early Literacy 

This year, we were especially honored to welcome the Staubach family as Reading Day Ambassadors: Jennifer Staubach Gates, Michelle Staubach Grimes, Amy Staubach Mentgen, Stephanie Staubach Phillips and Jeff Staubach—children of Roger Staubach and Marianne Staubach—whose deep commitment to early literacy reflects a legacy of leadership that spans generations. 

“Our parents taught us that giving back isn’t just something you do—it’s part of who you are,” Amy Staubach Mentgen said. “United Way has always been close to our family’s heart because it brings people together to create real, measurable impact. Early literacy, especially, changes the trajectory of a child’s life. Serving as Reading Day Ambassadors and helping lead the 40th anniversary of the Tocqueville Society is incredibly meaningful to us. It’s an opportunity to honor the legacy our father and mother built—and to help ensure that the next generation of North Texans has every opportunity to thrive.” 

Reading Day 2026 also carries special meaning as we approach the 40th anniversary of the Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society. In early 2027, we will celebrate four decades of extraordinary leadership and impact. Continuing their parents’ legacy as steadfast Tocqueville members, all five Staubach siblings and their spouses will serve as co-chairs of the 40th Anniversary Celebration—a powerful symbol of multi-generational commitment to ensuring that North Texas is the best place to live, work and raise a family—for all.  

In addition to the Staubachs and nearly 1,000 volunteers, representatives from local lawmakers’ offices also joined us this year to read to local students—an indication of the significance of an event like Reading Day for the future of our community.  

A big thank you to the lawmakers and staff who showed up for North Texas during Reading Day:   

  • U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson  
  • U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey 
  • Texas State Sen. Nathan Johnson  
  • Texas State Sen. Royce West 
  • Texas State Sen. Tan Parker  
  • Texas House Rep. Terry Meza  
  • Texas House Rep. Rhetta Bowers  
  • Texas House Rep. Cassandra Garica Hernandez 

Join Us in Support of Early Literacy 

As we launch into our second century of impact, we are grateful to our volunteers and donors, and for families like the Staubachs. Your dedication toward early literacy, volunteerism and United Way continues to strengthen the fabric of our community. 

Of course, Reading Day is just one of the ways that the Live United movement works together to improve early literacy so all North Texas students can thrive. For example, our Once Upon a Month program delivers free children’s books to local families every month—because when youngsters have a home library of their own, they are much more likely to become strong readers. 

You can support early literacy all year long by making an investment in United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Your gift can support programs like Once Upon a Month, which has distributed nearly 700,000 books across North Texas since its inception. Just $36 can provide a local child with a free book every month for one year. 

Invest Now 

a woman reviews forms with a man

Through Free Tax Prep Services, We’re Enabling Hardworking North Texans to Hold onto More of Their Earnings

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

For North Texas families who are living paycheck to paycheck, tax season is especially stressful. Filing taxes can be confusing and expensive, and sometimes it feels like the system is stacked against individual workers. But luckily there’s a growing movement to make filing tax returns easier and more affordable—or even free. 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we lead and invest in a variety of initiatives that enable more North Texans to achieve financial stability. We offer free tax preparation to ensure our neighbors save money when filing their taxes and receive all eligible credits and refunds. We also advocate for governmental programs that reduce the cost and complexity of the tax filing process. 

These money-saving initiatives directly support our mission to improve access to education, income and health—the building blocks of opportunity. Because when individuals and families can hold on to more of their money, they benefit in every area of their life. 

Read on to learn more about United Way’s free tax programs. 

United Way Offers Free Tax Services 

Taxes are due on Wednesday, April 15, and we encourage every eligible North Texan to take advantage of our free tax prep services to file their returns.  

Each year, thousands of our neighbors use our free tax prep services to file their returns. With the help of volunteer tax experts who are IRS certified, the average filer saves around $350 in tax preparation and filing fees, plus gets an average refund of $1,700 by claiming all their eligible tax credits and refunds. As a result, these programs bring millions of dollars in refunds back into our community every year. 

During our 2024-2025 fiscal year, 19,151 North Texans filed their taxes through our free services and received a total of $15.2 million in refunds. This incredible impact was made possible by 231 dedicated volunteers. 

“Tax time is an important financial moment, but unfortunately many families miss the opportunity for a refund because they don’t realize all of the tax credits that they are entitled to, or they make a mistake when they file,” said Greg Mangum, vice president of economic mobility at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “We encourage all eligible North Texans to use our Free Tax Programs so they receive all their eligible tax credits and refunds—because when families can hold onto more of what they earn, they’re in a better position to achieve financial stability.” 

File Your Taxes for Free 

Looking for a free tax service that will fit your needs? Explore your options below: 

In-person, drive-through or drop-off tax prep assistance 

Dallas Community Tax Centers: Free tax preparation services to individuals earning under $69,000 per year and to households of two to four people earning under $85,000 per year. The income limit increases by $5,000 for each additional household member. No appointment is required.  All you have to do is bring your necessary documents. For updated information, service locations or to sign up for text alerts, visit www.dallastaxcenters.org or text TAXCENTERS to 833-939-1387. 

Collin County Tax Assistance: Free tax prep operated by Catholic Charities Dallas. Services are available at four locations in Plano and McKinney through April 15. All sites are open by appointment only. For more information and to schedule appointments, visit the Catholic Charities Dallas webpage and click on “Book Appointment” to select a location, day and time. 

Additional local tax prep services: 

Online tax prep help 

MyFreeTaxes is an online tax filing program that enables people to file their federal and state taxes for free while getting the assistance they need. United Way provides MyFreeTaxes in partnership with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to help filers prepare their tax returns on their own or have their return prepared for them for free.  

The benefits of MyFreeTaxes include: 

  • Free federal and state returns 
  • Available to everyone—no restrictive eligibility requirements (No geography or age limits) 
  • Mobile friendly 
  • Available in English and Spanish 
  • Staffed by IRS-trained specialists

Who’s eligible? Households with an income at or below $79,000 can access fully online, self-directed tax prep services that are not subject to fees or paid add-ons. Visit www.MyFreeTaxes.com. Services are available in English and Spanish. 

Learn more about both of these services, including what you’ll need to bring with you, on our Free Tax Prep resources page. 

Support Financial Stability in North Texas 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we believe every North Texan should have the opportunity and access to achieve financial stability. Together, we can ensure North Texans can get and keep better jobs, establish savings and hold on to more of what they earn. 

Ready to start making a difference right here at home? Here are three ways to improve financial stability in our community: 

  • Sign up for Advocacy Alerts. We’ll let you know when and how to contact your elected representatives to advocate for policies related to financial stability. 

A Family Legacy of Leadership: The Staubachs Champion Reading Day and 40 Years of Tocqueville Impact

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

On Friday, March 6, nearly 1,000 volunteers will step into more than 700 classrooms across North Texas for one simple, powerful purpose: to read. 

Through United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy, more than 13,000 pre-kindergarten and elementary students across 40 campuses and 11 school districts will experience the joy of storytelling—and the spark that reading can ignite in a child’s future. 

This year, we are especially honored to welcome the Staubach family as Reading Day Ambassadors: Jennifer Staubach Gates, Michelle Staubach Grimes, Amy Staubach Mentgen, Stephanie Staubach Phillips and Jeff Staubach—children of Roger Staubach and Marianne Staubach—whose deep commitment to early literacy reflects a legacy of leadership that spans generations. 

“Our parents taught us that giving back isn’t just something you do—it’s part of who you are,” Amy Staubach Mentgen said. “United Way has always been close to our family’s heart because it brings people together to create real, measurable impact. Early literacy, especially, changes the trajectory of a child’s life. Serving as Reading Day Ambassadors and helping lead the 40th anniversary of the Tocqueville Society is incredibly meaningful to us. It’s an opportunity to honor the legacy our father and mother built—and to help ensure that the next generation of North Texans has every opportunity to thrive.” 

A Legacy Rooted in Service 

Long before this year’s Reading Day, Roger Staubach was helping shine a light on United Way’s impact across North Texas. 

A legendary quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Staubach played 11 seasons in the NFL and became one of the most respected leaders in professional football. But in Dallas, his legacy extends far beyond the field. 

In the 1970s, he became a dedicated champion of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, appearing in memorable public service campaigns that elevated awareness and inspired generosity. In one especially powerful 1974 PSA, Staubach appeared alongside a young heart patient, underscoring United Way’s life-changing work and the profound difference community support can make. 

For his extensive volunteer leadership and civic impact, he was honored with the prestigious J. Erik Jonsson Award—a testament to his enduring belief that leadership carries responsibility. Today, that same spirit of service lives on through his family. 

Reading Is a Foundation for Opportunity 

As part of the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, Reading Day mobilizes volunteers, corporate partners and civic leaders to promote early literacy—a cornerstone of United Way’s Aspire United 2030 goals, which focus on expanding access to education, income and health. 

Reading at grade level by third grade is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. When children reach this milestone, they are far more likely to graduate, pursue higher education and achieve economic mobility, which enables them to afford quality healthcare. 

Given the importance of early literacy, Reading Day is more than a volunteer opportunity. It is a strategic investment in the future of our region. 

This year’s theme—the future and its endless possibilities—reinforces that message. Volunteers will share books centered on dreaming big, innovation, perseverance and imagining what comes next, encouraging students to see reading as the key that unlocks opportunity. 

As Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, shared, “As we kick off our second century of impact, Reading Day highlights the powerful role literacy plays in creating opportunity. Reading at grade level by third grade is a key milestone for student success. When our community comes together to share the joy of reading, we’re helping children build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.” 

Honoring 40 Years of Tocqueville Leadership 

Reading Day 2026 also carries special meaning as we approach the 40th anniversary of the Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society. 

Founded in 1986 by the late Dallas philanthropist Ruth Sharp Altshuler, the Tocqueville Society recognizes some of United Way’s most dedicated and generous investors—civic and business leaders who pair vision with action to create lasting results. 

In early 2027, we will celebrate four decades of extraordinary leadership and impact. Continuing their parents’ legacy as steadfast Tocqueville members, all five Staubach siblings and their spouses will serve as co-chairs of the 40th Anniversary Celebration—a powerful symbol of multi-generational commitment to ensuring that North Texas is the best place to live, work and raise a family—for all. 

A Family Tradition of Impact 

The Staubachs’ role as Reading Day Ambassadors beautifully connects two milestones: this year’s classroom impact and next year’s Tocqueville celebration. 

By reading to students, they are doing more than representing United Way. They are modeling what engaged philanthropy looks like: showing up, investing time and reinforcing the importance of early literacy at a moment when it matters most. 

For our Tocqueville members and broader community of supporters, the Staubach family’s commitment to United Way’s mission is a reminder that transformational change is rarely the result of a single moment. It is built through decades of leadership, generosity and shared purpose. 

As we launch into our second century of impact, we are grateful for families like the Staubachs, whose support of early literacy, volunteerism and United Way continues to strengthen the fabric of our community. 

female teacher reading an ABC book to preschool aged children

As Babies Born During COVID Enter Kindergarten, Educators Are Noticing New Challenges

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

Six years since COVID-19 shut down life as we know it, the first generation of children born during the pandemic has started kindergarten. According to new research, the stark challenges that these children experienced as infants and toddlers have had a lasting impact on their early literacy skills. 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, supporting early literacy is just one of the many ways we improve access to education, income and health. From an early age, strong reading skills enable a student to succeed in school and, later, support their progress through college and into a career. Literacy skills even encourage health by enabling workers to afford high-quality care for themselves and their families. 

In the face of an event as consequential as the COVID pandemic, we must come together as a community to ensure local scholars can succeed. Let’s take a look at the latest research on post-COVID reading skills, as well as how you can support early literacy right here in North Texas. 

Reading Skills Have Suffered Since the Pandemic 

The disruption of the COVID years has had a lasting effect on many children’s learning abilities. According to a 2025 national survey conducted by Lexia, kids born during the pandemic are entering kindergarten with fewer school-readiness skills. Educators report that today’s 6-year-olds have less foundational literacy, attention and social-emotional development. 

The survey’s key findings include: 

  • Foundational literacy skills are lagging: 73% of teachers say kindergarteners are behind in early literacy. The biggest gaps include letter sounds, letter recognition, writing letters/names and vocabulary. 
  • Social-emotional readiness is lower: 82% say students are less socially-emotionally ready, especially with sharing, collaboration and emotion regulation. 
  • Attention spans are shorter: 89% report shorter attention spans during reading; two-thirds say much shorter. 
  • Confidence has declined: More than half say students are less confident participating in reading activities. 

In North Texas, educators have certainly had challenges with their students’ reading skills since the pandemic. However, the latest local research shows that third-grade reading proficiency has actually improved by 15% across our service area, signaling a strong recovery from pandemic learning loss. Luckily, our region has been laser focused on reading skills—and it shows. 

Early Literacy Is Foundational for Lifelong Success 

In the face of these troubling national trends, it’s vital for us to continue to work together to ensure North Texas students develop and maintain strong reading skills.  

At United Way, one of our key Aspire United 2030 goals is to increase by 50% the number of local scholars reading on grade level by third grade. That age is a pivotal time in a young reader’s life, because research shows that after third grade, almost all learning across subjects is done by reading. When a child can read proficiently, they are more likely to grow their learning and skills over time, in everything from math to history.  

Reading proficiency doesn’t only benefit students during their school years; it has a ripple effect throughout their entire life that directly supports our focus areas of education, income and health: 

  • Children who read proficiently by third grade are five times more likely to graduate ready for success in college or a career.  
  • College graduates can earn $36,000 more a year, enabling them to save for the future.  
  • Financially stable adults can access quality healthcare for themselves and their families.   

Together, We’re Improving Early Literacy in North Texas 

During the Lexia survey, researchers asked educators what they believe would improve early literacy foundations for today’s kindergarteners. They mentioned four steps that they think would help: 

  • Greater family engagement in reading 
  • More vocabulary and oral language development 
  • Focused phonics practice 
  • Increased small-group or one-on-one instruction time 

The good news is that by supporting early reading initiatives, we can meet these needs for local children.  

At United Way, we encourage early literacy in several ways, namely: 

  • Reading Day: During this beloved annual tradition, we bring together change-seekers from across North Texas to read to children in hundreds of classrooms. At this year’s Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy, held Friday, March 6, more than 1,000 volunteers will read to 13,000+ students, sparking a love of reading and supporting early literacy. (Volunteer registration is closed, but you can still support Reading Day by making a donation or contributing to our book drive.) 
  • Once Upon a Month: This popular program provides children ages 0-5 with free children’s books and accompanying parent guides every month. By encouraging early reading, the initiative stimulates curiosity, language development and learning skills. In the last year alone, we distributed more than 140,000 books to local children, expanding opportunities for families to read together and practice key vocabulary and phonics skills. (You can make a donation to Once Upon a Month to ensure more local children have a home library of their own.) 

To reach our goal of 83% third-grade reading proficiency by 2030, we’ll need to maintain a 3% annual increase through 2030. We’re on track—and committed. And we invite all of North Texas to come together in support of early literacy. Because when our youngest readers are prepared for success, our entire region will benefit for generations to come.  

Strategies for Building Wealth and Economic Mobility for Children and Families

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

As tax season begins, families have new opportunities to save money and take advantage of tax-free investment tools that help build generational wealth. Here in North Texas, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is paving the way for children and families to access these pathways to financial stability. Through initiatives like Dollars for College, we expand opportunities for families to establish meaningful savings early in a child’s life.

At the same time, federal programs—including enhancements to the Child Tax Credit and the launch of new Trump Accounts, supported by the Trump Administration and Texas philanthropists such as Michael and Susan Dell—are expanding long-term savings options nationwide.  

These complementary efforts provide families with more ways to plan for the future. Read more below on what families need to know to make informed decisions.  

Why College Savings Plans Are Important 

Families who can save are better positioned to build wealth and create pathways to economic mobility. Yet many North Texas families face significant barriers to saving, because low wages and the rising costs of childcare, housing and groceries leave little room for long-term financial planning.  

Unfortunately, this means many local students don’t have funds to dedicate to higher education once they graduate high school. This contributes to the fact that fewer than one-third of high school graduates in North Texas go on to finish college.    

At United Way, we work to improve college attendance rates because it directly supports our focus areas of education, income and health. Going to college opens doors that will benefit a student throughout their entire life, such as more job options and higher wages. Education leads to financial security for an individual and their family, and it improves the odds that they’ll be able to live a long and healthy life.  

Today, a growing number of jobs require higher education or certification, and our region needs a strong pipeline of workers equipped with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Building that pipeline is one of the ways we drive progress toward our Aspire United 2030 goals, which include increasing by 20% the number of North Texas young adults who earn a living wage by 2030. 

Saving for the Future through Dollars for College   

To improve college enrollment rates, we offer Dollars for College, a children’s savings account program that provides low- and moderate-income families with a safe, trusted and easy-to-access way to build long-term savings for their child’s postsecondary education. Through early seed deposits, incentives and community partnerships, Dollars for College helps families begin saving for the future—strengthening both educational and financial opportunities for the next generation.  

Here’s how it works: Parents and other caregivers can quickly and easily open an account for their child, even if they don’t make an initial deposit. Dollars for Colleges uses an innovative 529 plan—My529.com—in partnership with local K-12 districts and schools, community partners and funders.  

Individual change-seekers can seed a child’s college savings account by donating just $50. Then, families can earn incentive deposits and can make their own deposits over time. During the four-year program, one of these savings accounts can grow to $500, and it continues to grow during the child’s primary and secondary education, which helps set a high school graduate up for success in college. 

The program has grown over time and currently serves more than 1,100 families with more than $511,000 in deposits.   

What are Trump Accounts?   

At the federal level, there have been continued investments in child tax credits and other college and education savings incentives, such as 529 plans, to help families build resources for their child’s future while providing more immediate access to capital.    

Last July, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which established Trump Accounts—federally created, tax-deferred accounts designed to help families build long-term savings for children. These accounts launch on July 5, 2026, and are supported by detailed IRS guidance.   

Who’s Eligible for Trump Accounts? 

To be eligible for Trump Accounts, children must be born in the U.S., have a Social Security number and be under age 18 when the account is opened. Those born between 2025 and 2028 receive a $1,000 federal seed deposit, giving every eligible child an early financial foundation.  

Families can open an account through their 2025 tax filing or online. The easiest way is to file IRS Form 4547 online at trumpaccounts.gov. The form will ask for dates of birth, Social Security numbers and contact information.  

Families may contribute up to $5,000 per year, with additional contributions allowed from employers, charities and community organizations. Funds are invested in low-cost U.S. equity index funds, and accounts convert to a traditional IRA when the child turns 18.  

Philanthropic Investment and National Participation   

Beyond federal investment, a historic wave of philanthropy is dramatically expanding the reach of the Trump Accounts program. In December 2025, Texas philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell committed $6.25 billion, providing an extra $250 deposit to 25 million children in moderate-income ZIP codes. They were soon joined by New York philanthropists Ray and Barbara Dalio, who pledged $75 million to seed accounts for an additional 300,000 Connecticut children. These gifts—part of a national “50State Challenge”—ensure that millions more children, particularly in low- and middle-income communities, begin life with a real financial asset.  

The Trump Administration held a Trump Account Summit last month to advance national participation in the Trump Accounts initiative. The summit showcased major corporate commitments and philanthropic contributions from America’s leading companies, each pledging to match seed funding, broaden employee participation or develop innovative channels for account growth.  

Comparing Trump Accounts and Dollars for College 

For families, Trump Accounts represent an opportunity to save for education, homeownership, retirement and other long-term goals—offering a complement to community-based initiatives like United Way’s Dollars for College program.  

 

Feature   Trump Accounts   Dollars for College  
Primary Goal   Long-term wealth-building for children   Increase college enrollment & completion for local families  
Seed Deposit   $1,000 federal (for 2025–2028 births)    Typically $50 from district/partners   
Contribution Limits   $5,000/year (family) + $2,500/year employer    No fixed limit; flexible deposits   
Target Populations   All eligible U.S. children born 2025–2028   Low/moderate-income Dallas-area families  
Use of Funds   Withdrawals start at 18; becomes IRA   Qualified education expenses (K-12 & higher education)  
Program Scope   National   Local/regional (Dallas + partners)  

1,000 Volunteers Will Support Early Literacy by Reading to 13,000 Students

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

For change-seekers in North Texas, finding the best way to make an impact can sometimes feel challenging. There are plenty of volunteer and donation opportunities in our community—but identifying those that will actually make a difference can take time. 

At United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy, held Friday, March 6, in classrooms across North Texas, the impact of every volunteer and every donation is immediately clear. Each time a volunteer reads to a classroom full of eager students, and each time a donated book is presented to a child, you can see the spark of excitement in their eyes.  

That was the experience for Sylvia, a volunteer at last year’s event, who says the children’s enthusiasm made a lasting impression. 

“Being in the classroom was amazing,” she said. “The children were so interactive. They asked questions, paid attention and were genuinely excited about the story. It was such a good feeling to be there with them.” 

This is the type of impact you can make by volunteering for United Way Reading Day. This year, the beloved tradition will once again bring together more than 1,000 volunteers to read to over 13,000 students in 1,000 elementary classrooms across North Texas. We invite anyone who is passionate about the region’s future to share their love of reading and help inspire a new generation of learners. 

Read on to learn more about the impact of Reading Day and why you should get involved. 

We Can All Work Together to Improve Early Literacy 

Reading Day is a uniquely fun and inspiring day, when individuals just like you get to spark a love of reading in local students. But the impact of the event goes well beyond that day. As a key part of our Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, Reading Day is a unique volunteer opportunity that enables supporters to have a direct impact on early literacy, which is foundational to the success of our region as a whole. 

Research indicates that by the end of third grade, 74% of struggling readers won’t ever catch up. That’s why it’s so important for children to have literacy opportunities and exposure as early as possible. Reading Day is just one way that we can expose students to fun reading experiences, together. 

The annual event directly supports our Aspire United 2030 goal to increase by 50% the number of North Texas students reading on grade level by third grade. This is a key milestone in every student’s life, because research shows that after third grade, most learning—up to 85%—is done by reading. When a child can read proficiently, they are equipped to grow their learning and skills over time, across all subjects.   

As a result, early literacy is foundational to long-term success in all three of our focus areas—education, income and health. Children who develop strong reading skills early are better prepared to learn, thrive and contribute as adults.  

Research shows the connection between education and other key areas: 

  • Children who enter school ready to learn are more likely to read proficiently by third grade.  
  • College graduates can earn $36,000 more a year, enabling them to save for the future. 
  • Financially stable adults can access quality healthcare for themselves and their families.  

By encouraging early reading as a community, together we can advance our mission to create access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive.  

Last Year’s Reading Day Impacted 15,000 Students 

During our Centennial Anniversary Reading Day, we united with volunteers from across our community to make meaningful change—together:  

  • More than 1,000 classrooms participated 
  • 1,000 volunteers read to local students 
  • 15,000 scholars discovered beloved children’s books from the last 100 years, in honor of our Centennial Anniversary 
  • 47 elementary campuses celebrated across 12 school districts 
  • 2,900 literacy kits were prepared by our corporate partners 
  • 5,000 books were donated to local schools 

In addition to thousands of dedicated volunteers, we were also honored to welcome last year’s honorary Reading Day chair, Charlotte Jones, chief brand officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys. We appreciate Charlotte for supporting early literacy in North Texas and for helping to bring attention to this great cause.  

We’re Launching into Our Second Century of Impact 

At this year’s event, volunteers will share engaging, future-focused books designed to inspire imagination, confidence, and a love of learning. 

This year’s Reading Day theme—the future and its endless possibilities—aligns with the start of our next 100 years, as well as the promise and potential of the road ahead for local students.  

Reading Proficiency in North Texas 

Our main Aspire United 2030 education goal is to increase by 50% the number of students reading on grade level by third grade. We’re proud to report that thanks to your support we are on track, with recent data showing that third-grade reading proficiency has jumped more than 15% in our service area.  

Our community wide Aspire United 2030 goals are our set of 10-year benchmarks guiding our impact in the areas of education, income and health now through 2030. Together with our independent external evaluator, the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), we closely track progress toward our Aspire United 2030 community goals.   

Support Early Literacy in North Texas 

Ready to make a difference right here in our community? Here are three ways you can support early literacy: 

  1. Volunteer: Sign up as a Reading Day volunteer, and read to a classroom of elementary students on Friday, March 6. Hurry! Spots are filling up fast, and March 1 is the deadline to register. 
  1. Give: Make a donation to support programs like Once Upon a Month, which delivers age-appropriate children’s books to North Texas children every month to encourage language development and spark a love of reading. 
  1. Advocate: Join us in advocating for our legislative priorities, which include strengthening early literacy policies. Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts and Policy in Brief newsletter today.