United Way Of Central Iowa

IMPROVE LIVES BY UNITING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY

EDUCATION SUCCESS: CENTRAL IOWA STUDENTS NEED NOT ONLY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL BUT SHOULD ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GRADUATE WITH A PLAN FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. UNITED WAY WORKS WITH SCHOOLS AND PARTNERS TO IMPROVE READING SCORES AND PROVED WRAP-AROUND SERVICES TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS. OVER 1,300 CENTRAL IOWA CHILDREN RECEIVED TWO FREE PAIRS OF GLASSES THROUGH VISION TO LEARN.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING: CENTRAL IOWANS NEED NOT ONLY ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE, BUT ACCESS TO QUALITY, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CARE PROMOTING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND IMPROVING RESILIENCE. AMONG U.S. ADULTS, 50% SAY THEY PUT OFF OR SKIPPED SOME SORT OF HEALTHCARE IN THE PAST YEAR BECAUSE OF COST. OVER 32,000 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED BY MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL, AND DENTAL PROVIDERS FUNDED BY UNITED WAY. OF THOSE RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH, MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES, 81.4% EITHER MAINTAINED OR IMPROVED THEIR OVERALL HEALTH.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: CENTRAL IOWANS NEED NOT ONLY TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT BUT TO BE FINANCIALLY STABLE AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD WEALTH FOR THEIR FAMILY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. UNITED WAY SUPPORTS TRAINING AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE TO SECURE GOOD JOBS PROVIDING SUFFICIENT INCOME AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD WEALTH. 4,662 INDIVIDUALS WERE PROVIDED ACCESS TO ADULT BASIC EDUCATION, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SUPPORTS REQUIRED FOR QUALITY JOBS.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SUCCESS: OUR YOUNGEST CENTRAL IOWANS NEED NOT ONLY ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, BUT ACCESS TO SAFE, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE TO BE HEALTHY AND READY TO LEARN. CHILDCARE IS TYPICALLY THE #1 EXPENSE OF A CENTRAL IOWA FAMILY'S BUDGET, COSTING MORE THAN A MORTGAGE OR COLLEGE TUITION. UNITED WAY SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR POLICY CHANGES TO ALLOW MORE FAMILIES TO REMAIN ON THE STATE'S CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, REDUCING THE COST OF QUALITY CARE AND KEEPING PARENTS IN THE WORKFORCE. ESSENTIAL NEEDS: CENTRAL IOWANS NEED NOT ONLY TO MEET THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS OF FOOD AND SHELTER, BUT ACCESS TO QUALITY NUTRITIOUS FOOD, AND A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME. 3.24 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED BY PROGRAMS FUNDED BY UNITED WAY, FEEDING 52,582 CENTRAL IOWANS; AND UNITED WAY SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR PASSAGE OF A BILL EXEMPTING HUNGER-FIGHTING ORGANIZATIONS FROM STATE SALES TAXES. NOW IOWA'S FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES CAN PURCHASE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL ONE MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD TO SERVE IOWANS EXPERIENCING HUNGER. UNITED WAY COMMUNITY IMPACT SERVICES: UNITED WAY FUNDS 2-1-1, A TELEPHONE HELPLINE, PROVIDING INFORMATION AND REFERRALS FOR PEOPLE NEEDING HUMAN SERVICES. THE VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM MOBILIZES VOLUNTEERS TO FOSTER A THRIVING COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY IMPACT SERVICES STAFF RESEARCH COMMUNITY CONDITIONS AND MEASURES PROGRESS OF UNITED WAY INVESTMENTS. COMMUNITY IMPACT SERVICES ALSO OVERSEES A VOLUNTEER, CITIZEN-LED ACCOUNTABILITY PROCESS OF UNITED WAY-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS IN PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. $5,080,598 OF DONOR DESIGNATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL EXPENSES.