With summer vacation now in full swing, it is time to help keep your child from losing the knowledge they gained this past school year.

On average, 80 percent of kids in low-income communities in the U.S. will lose up to three months of learning this summer. It is unlikely the children who fall behind in school and don’t have access to books over the summer will ever catch up.

United Way of Central Florida partners with educational organizations throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties to offer free summer programs to keep kids’ minds stimulated while they are out of class.

4,406 students received multiple services that made a measurable difference in school attendance, reading, math, science and more. At-risk students who received UWCF funded services outperformed a statistically identical control group of students who did not receive these services.

To discover more summer programs and enroll your child, you can call 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898-211 or email uw211help@gmail.com to be connected to free services.