Higher One Partners with New Haven Public Schools to Support Kindergarteners and their Families

Higher One, a leader in providing financial services and data analytics to more than 1,900 colleges and universities across the U.S., has partnered with United Way and New Haven Public Schools to sponsor this year’s Kindergarten Canvass, an annual event in support of local families sending first-time students off to Kindergarten.

Last week, hundreds of teachers and principals joined with local volunteers to knock on the doors of incoming kindergarteners in the New Haven, Connecticut community to answer families’ questions, connect them with resources and provide each family with a bilingual book they can read together. This year, 183 volunteers helped United Way reach more than 1,000 kindergarten students and their families. Through Kindergarten Canvass, United Way serves to connect with schools and students by encouraging reading and building financial literacy early on.

"The Kindergarten Canvass is a powerful means to connect families to their schools and to their child's success," said Jack Healy, president and chief executive officer at United Way of Greater New Haven. "When a new student and his mom, dad or caregiver meets their teacher or school principal on his doorstep we create a bond that lasts throughout his school career. There’s no better way to help our kids get off to a great start in school, and no better way to show that, as a community, we are invested in the future of our children.”

“Kindergarten Canvass is important to Higher One not only because it aligns with our focus on youth empowerment and student success, but also because it is inclusive of developing financial literacy in children from a young age, a subject about which Higher One is passionate,” said Marc Sheinbaum, chief executive officer at Higher One. “Our partnership with United Way has afforded us involvement in the local community, supporting initiatives that our organization cares about deeply.”

Higher One’s sponsorship of Kindergarten Canvass is organized by Higher One CARES (Community Action for Resources Education and Service), a group formed by Higher One employees to help identify opportunities for community involvement and engagement. The funding will help cover the costs of the Kindergarten Canvass, in addition to providing program support to the New Haven Public Schools and the city of New Haven in the Boost! initiative, which continues to support students and schools throughout the year.

Higher One CARES also works with groups like the local Promising Scholars Fund, Inc. to provide support to young African American students pursuing college education and the non-profit youth organization Junior Achievement. If you have an event or program that aligns itself with the Higher One CARES mission, please forward it to Higher One CARES Communications Director Lauren Perry at lperry@higherone.com.

About United Way of Greater New Haven:

United Way advances the common good by changing the odds for families throughout Greater New Haven. Our focus is on education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way recruits people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. Learn more at uwgnh.org.

About Higher One

Higher One Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ONE) partners with colleges and universities to lower their administrative costs and to improve graduation rates. We provide a broad array of payment, refund disbursement and data analytics and management tools to institutions that help them save money and enhance institutional effectiveness. And for students, we offer financial literacy programs and convenient, flexible and affordable transaction options to help them manage their finances. Higher One is a leader in higher education, supporting more than 1,900 schools and 13 million enrolled students. More information about Higher One can be found at www.higherone.com.