Community Investment Process Yields $1.77 for

Partner Agencies and Community Initiatives

 

Agency/Program	Allocation
2-1-1 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast	53,000.00
Amer. Red Cross - Emergency Services	35,000.00
Abilities Resource Center - Supportive Employment Program	48,000.00
Abilities Resource Center - Behavior Analysis	40,000.00
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Site Based Reading Mentoring	10,000.00
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Children of Promise	7,000.00
Boy Scouts	20,000.00
Boys & Girls Club - CLUBS	126,000.00
Catholic Charities - Samaritan Center	66,000.00
Childcare Resources of Indian River- Children in Centers	193,000.00
Childcare Resources of Indian River - Psychological Services	4,000.00
Children's Home Society - Cins/Fins	37,000.00
Children’s Home Society- Transitional Living Program	20,000.00
Children’s Home Society- Heart Gallery Adoption/Recruitment	1,000.00
Connected 4 Kids - Resource Booklet	6,000.00
Dasie Hope Center	60,500.00
DATA - Hayslip Ctr. Residential Treatment	38,000.00
DATA - Outpatient Services	13,000.00
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of the TC	18,000.00
Early Learning Coalition	50,000.00
Economic Opportunities Council - REACH Program	12,500.00
CASTLE - High Hopes	21,000.00
CASTLE - Safe Families	90,000.00
CASTLE - Valued Visits	31,300.00
Girl Scouts	5,000.00
Gifford Youth Activity Center - After School Ed. Program	40,000.00
Healthy Start Coalition- TLC Newborn Program	35,000.00
Healthy Start - Partners in Pregnancy & Parenting	10,000.00
Hibiscus Children's Ctr. - Children's Village (former program - Families in Crisis)	15,000.000
Homeless Family Center	47,000.00
IRC Health Dept. - Dental Progam 0 to 6	42,500.00
Literacy Services of Indian River Co.	20,000.00
Mental Health Assoc. - Walk-In Center	80,000.00
Redland Christian Migrant Association - Child Care	30,000.00
SafeSpace - Domestic Violence Services	70,000.00
Senior Resource Assoc. - Adult Day Care	50,000.00
Senior Resource Assoc. - Meals on Wheels	55,000.00
Substance Awareness Council - LifeSkills Training	10,000.00
TC Food Bank - Emergency Food Distribution	54,000.00
Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council  -  Homeless Resource Center	30,000.00
USO	5,000.00
Youth Guidance	50,000.00
Designations & Special Projects Non-partner agencies and other designations	31,911
Specific agency designations	37,500
Publix Employee Crisis Fund	10,530
Emergency/Crisis Special Project Fund	40,000
Mental Health Collaborative	10,000
TOTAL  FUNDING	1,778,741

 

Family Financial Stability Initiative Brings $1.4 Back

Into Community

Through it’s three year old Family Financial Stability Initiative, United Way of Indian River County announced it has brought $1,424,581.30 back into the community. “It’s astounding that through promotion of our prescription drug card and through the efforts of some very dedicated volunteers we are able to help so many and help them save so much,” said Michael Kint, CEO of United Way.

Developed by the Board of Directors and championed by the United Way staff, local businesses and even Vero Beach Mayor Jay Kramer, the Family Financial Stability Initiative was “a direct result of strategically looking at ways to put more money back into the hands of the working poor at a time when it is most needed,” added Kint.

The program consists of two elements: 1) the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card and 2) the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

FamilyWize Discount Prescription Cards
Launched in July of 2008, United Way of Indian River County’s free FamilyWize Prescription Cards have saved Indian River County residents over $652,595.39 the agency reported today. Since its launch, 33,788 claims have been submitted with average prescription discount of $18.51, placing Indian River County third in the state for the number of claims, just behind Escambia County and Miami-Dade. 

“We are thrilled that this program has meant tangible savings for Indian River County residents,” said Kint. “In these tough times, every dollar counts.” Prescription drugs “are a concern for just about everyone, and this is a great way of making sure you get the most for your money,” Kint said.

Discount cards can be obtained from the United Way office at 1836 14th Avenue in downtown Vero Beach during business hours.  People with Internet access can also print a card by visiting the website at www.FamilyWize.com as well as look up drug prices and the list of participating pharmacies.  Most pharmacies across the U.S. honor the cards and there is no cost for the card nor eligibility requirements.

Free Income Tax Preparation
In 2009/2010, the United Way started partnering with the IRS to promote their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).  The United Way opened it’s first VITA site in January 2010 and continued the program in 2011.  Since that time, volunteer tax preparers, including Vero Beach’s Mayor Jay Kramer, have processed 539 returns resulting in $771,986 in refunds.  An essential element of the VITA program is the promotion of the Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit. In 2011, these credits accounted for 52% of all the monies brought back into the county, well over the 30% national rate for EITC claims. United Way of Indian River County is also unique amongst it’s partners across the state in that the VITA program was sponsored by local CPA firms. In 2011 the sponsors were Harris, Cotherman, Jones, Price & Associates and Morgan, Jacoby, Thurn, Boyle & Associates.

“This is such a terrific program, it brings essential money back into the hands of those who most need it, when they most need it,” said Mayor Jay Kramer.

The United Way VITA site, staffed entirely by volunteers, saw a dramatic increase in traffic over last year, up 38%.  The program was promoted through local sponsorship dollars, a block grant from the IRS, and through donated media.  United Way of Indian River County also promoted the program through non-traditional means, producing a drink coaster distributed through local bars and restaurants – the coaster was produced by Vero Beach company Brandit Corporation at a deeply discounted rate.

“This program is a perfect example of how United Way can bring so many different partners to the table to produce real tangible results,” said Kint. “We are so grateful for the many hours donated by our dedicated sponsors and volunteers, it’s quite humbling, especially when the Mayor shows up on a Saturday to prepare free tax returns,” added Kint. Often times, families will turn to a paid professional to have their taxes prepared, costing upwards of $300 each return.  “If we calculate that figure for the amount of returns our volunteers prepared, that means we’ve saved working families $99,600,” said Eve Balance, United Way Community Investment Coordinator and VITA coordinator.

 

Community Investment Draws to Close

For the last six weeks, over 120 volunteers have been busy at work meeting and evaluating the programs funded by the United Way. Community Investment volunteers conduct annual organizational assessments of each partner agency to measure the operational efficiencies and effectiveness of each organization.

United Way IRC currently has 32 non-profit partners that are applying for funding towards 41 programs. It is the policy of United Ways nationwide to involve local communities in the decision of allocating funds based on United Way standards, the agencies’ requests, impact of the programs on the community and availability of funds.

In Indian River County we currently rely on 120 community volunteers assigned to 12 panels of 10 including a panel chairman, a fiscal analyst and 8 associate panelists. These panels meet and assess each program to ensure fiscal and programming accountability. Their reccomendations are then taken to the United Way board who meets to determine final allocations.

Gifford Youth Activity Center Awarded 2010 Agency Excellence at Community Leaders Breakfast

Citing their staff's dedication, creative use of resources, and tangible results in the students they serve, Board Chair Tom Manwaring awarded United Way Partner Agency, the Gifford Youth Activity Center with the 2010 Agency Excellence Award.

Visit Gifford Youth Activity Center's Website at: www.gyac.org

The annual Community Leaders Breakfast, Sponsored by Seacoast National Bank, honors the community activism and contributions of area businesses. Other awards presented include:

Indian River County Spirit Award (51+) Company
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Indian River County Spirit Award (50 or less) Company
Kmetz, Nuttall, Elwell, Graham, PLLC
Certified Public Accountants

Employee Campaign (2010 Enterprise Award)
CVS Vero Beach Distribution Center

Community Contribution Award (2010 Essence Award)
Rossway Moore Taylor & Swan

Community Volunteerism (2010 Espirite de Vie Award)
Northern Trust

SafeSpace
Agency Excellence Special Mention

 

NEWS ARCHIVE

Publix Charities Donates $109,000

2009-2010 Campaign Results: THANK YOU

2010-2011 Campaign Co-Chairs Selected

United Way Participates in Free VITA Tax Preparation