$1.75 Invested to Advance Common Good

The charity celebrates being able to make a measurable difference in the
lives of 58,000 residents through its partner agency programs

United Way is the  leading supporter of front-line service providers in the county: investing $458,000 serving those in crisis situations.  These programs not only provide essential services to those suffering through a personal crisis, but supplement and in some cases, replace, services that otherwise would fall on the backs of taxpayers through the additional burden placed on county and city services.  The investment increases exponentially when added to the partner programs that address hunger, homelessness and near homelessness bringing its total  investment in safety net programs to $617,000.

United Way is the leading champion of early childhood health and education programs in the county through its investment of $335,500 in programs that provide quality of life and quality education to our youngest citizens ages 0 to 6.  “Long-term studies clearly demonstrate that every dollar invested in quality early care and education saves taxpayers up to $13.00 in future costs,” added Kint.

United Way is the leading funder of mentoring and after school programs for children investing $363,000 in quality one to one mentoring and after school activities. Studies show that successful mentoring programs help at-risk students develop social skills, improve their school achievement and graduation rates, and help them develop self-esteem, among many additional benefits.  Highlighted agencies include the successful fostering and incubation of Big Brothers, Big Sisters – an agency that seven years ago didn’t exist in our county but now is growing and thriving due to the direct investment and support of United Way.