UNITED WAY OF LAKE AND SUMTER COUNTIES INC

Geographic areas served: Lake & Sumter Counties, Florida

Programs: The united way of lake and sumter counties,inc. Provides support and funding to agencies that create the greatest impact to lake and sumter county residents. From children to seniors to those recovering from job loss or a family crisis, programs supported by the united way of lake and sumter counties make a measurable difference in the lives of 5,049 individuals. 104 youth ages 10-16 have participated in programs to develop personal career goals and identified skills needed to achieve those goals; 104 patients have reported learning about their diabetes in regards to nutrition, medication management and the importance of regular medical checkups which is crucial in reducing the potential critical care and the reduction of their a1c levels; 151 high school students have been mentored about higher education choices, transition from high school to college and the importance of maintaining good grades; 2,863 children have been provided subsidized early education childcare from contracted providers that are in compliance with state and federal childcare guidelines and as a result parents are able to work outside their home; 123 severely developmentally disabled people were assisted with organizing their medical treatment information and with communication between themselves and medical professionals; 28 severely developmentally disabled people achieved at least one new skill; 898 scouts have learned goal setting, friendship development and leader skills which are important life skills while completing 4416 hours of community volunteerism; 124 vision impaired individuals have demonstrated an increase in functional ability, independence and self confidence in an effort to be more self-reliant; 283 elderly seniors were assisted in raising their nutrional scores and received assistance to maintain their independence; 244 students earned a ged completion; 4 at risk teens were given a 2 year college scholarship and 123 children were provided 630 hours of counseling sessions.

financial stability the united way of lake and sumter counties, inc. Fosters internal programs that serve to promote financial stability of lake and sumter county residents. These include vita and human care network. Vita (volunteer income tax assistance ) provides free income tax preparation to low income households so as to save them the cost of tax preparation and assure that the families receive all eligible tax credits. Thirteen trained vita volunteers prepared 469 tax returns for the 2012 tax year. The human care network is comprised of 14 food pantries located through lake and sumter counties. The hcn served over 6,500 unduplicated individuals.

2-1-1 this program faciliates connections between people who need human services and those who provide them. Lake and sumter county residents can receive information and referrals 24/7 about food , housing, health care, employment services, support groups, counseling, education, clothing, voluntering, legal aid, and more. This program provided information and referrals to 6,567 callers.

energy program and other