United Way of Wyoming Valley expands school navigator program to GAR Middle School

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to the United Way of Wyoming Valley to expand its School-Based Community Navigator Program to GAR Middle School; GAR serves grades 6–8, with 86.8% of students economically disadvantaged and a reported attendance rate of 51.9%.

United Way of Wyoming Valley will expand its School-Based Community Navigator Program to GAR Middle School after receiving a $10,000 grant from The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The award was made during the foundation's Spring 2025 Grant Cycle. The Navigator position is housed through the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 and funded by United Way. The role is intended to help remove barriers to learning and support student attendance. Key details: - The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awarded $10,000 to United Way of Wyoming Valley in Spring 2025. - The grant will fund the School-Based Community Navigator at GAR Middle School in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. - The Navigator position operates through Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 and places staff in schools to connect families with resources and boost attendance. - GAR Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 and reports 86.8% of students as economically disadvantaged. - GAR has a reported attendance rate of 51.9% and a chronic absenteeism rate of 48.1%. - This will be the second Navigator in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, following the program at Dr. David W. Kistler Elementary. Summary: The grant will support a dedicated Community Navigator at GAR Middle School to address barriers to learning and chronic absenteeism. Undetermined at this time.