United Way Awards Summer Impact Grants to Help Local Children Access Summer Opportunities
Families Encouraged to Contact Participating Camps About Tuition Assistance for ALICE Households
Lake Charles, LA— United Way Southwest Louisiana is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 Summer Impact Grants, an initiative designed to ensure children throughout Southwest Louisiana have access to enriching summer experiences regardless of their family's financial circumstances.
Through the Summer Impact Grant program, United Way Southwest Louisiana provides funding directly to participating camps and programs to cover tuition costs for eligible ALICE families. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — hardworking households that earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities and unexpected expenses.
Families interested in participating are encouraged to contact the camps directly to learn about eligibility requirements and available tuition assistance funded through the Summer Impact Grant program.
The 2026 Summer Impact Grant recipients include:
- Coleman Youth Development Academy – 2026 Level Up Summer Camp
- Region 5 STEM Center – STEMpede Summer Camp
- DM Robinson PreK-12 Education Consulting Firm – Education Literacy Program
- Bayou 77 Felice Kicking Camp – 2026 Gulf Coast Kicking Showcase
- Butterfly Language School – Summer Language Camps
- Sulphur Christian Community Coalition (SC3) – Summer in the Son Day Camp
- Imperial Calcasieu Museum – Branch Out Summer Arts Camp
- Business & Workforce Recovery – Shining Stars Business & Leadership Program
- The Art Factory – Summer Art Experience
The Summer Impact Grant program supports opportunities in STEM, literacy, language development, leadership, athletics, arts, and personal growth, helping young people continue learning and developing important life skills while school is out for the summer.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to explore new interests, build confidence, and continue learning during the summer months," said Denise Durel, President and CEO of United Way Southwest Louisiana. "For many ALICE families, the cost of summer programs can be out of reach. These grants help remove financial barriers and open doors to experiences that can positively impact a child's future."
Research shows that quality summer enrichment programs help students maintain academic progress, strengthen social skills, and reduce summer learning loss. By partnering with local organizations, United Way Southwest Louisiana is investing in the future success of children across the region while helping working families access programs they may not otherwise be able to afford.
Families interested in applying for tuition assistance should contact one of the participating camps directly as soon as possible, as availability may be limited.
For more information about United Way Southwest Louisiana and its education initiatives, visit www.unitedwayswla.org.