United Way Of The Midlands

Programs: Donor designations-as a convenience to its donors, united way of the midlands allows direct unrestricted contributions to other united ways or specific agencies with these designations. The organization supports more than 90 partner agencies in the areas of education, financial stability and health. The organization does not require the recepient organizations to provide information relative to the use and results of these contributions.

financial stability and basic needs initiatives- united way of the midlands programs and investments support programs that assist people in crisis and offer opportunities for long-term financial stability. United way administered $267,068 in federal emergency food and shelter funds, provided shelter for 1915 homeless people, and supported the placement of more than 1400 people into housing. The 211 system provided more than 30,000 callers with referrals to programs in the midlands. Uwm also supported free tax preparation, creating 2. 5 million in tax refunds, including more than 1million in earned income tax credits. In 2010 uwm created a new resource for the development and preservation of affordable housing- the midlands housing trust fund (mhtf). To date mhtf has supported development of 78 units of affordable housing and nearly $1 million in resources. Another 125 affordable housing units are in development. For the past eight years, uwm has assisted the midlands area consortium for the homeless (mach), a continuum of care coalition serving 14 counties. Uwm serves as the lead agency coordinating and submitting an annual hud funding application and administers the community's homeless management information system (hmis), a federally required internet-based client and bed management system for homeless and at-risk populations served by the continuum of care coalition. The system supports nearly 100 agency users which represent a mix of homeless housing, shelter, and service providers.

health initiatives- uwm promotes access to primary health care as well as dental and eye care for people who are underinsured or lack insurance at all. United way programs and investments helped more than 3000 people access health care and helped another 3646 children and adults obtain dental care. More than 1200 seniors were able to participate in home-delivered or congregate meal programs supported by united way. This support resulted in more than 200,000 meals for midlands seniors.

education initiatives-education is key to an individual's long-term success and financial stability. Uwm focuses on early education and key transitions in school to improve on-time graduation. Through school readiness and parent engagement programs more than 3400 parents demonstrated increased knowledge about their children's development. In the area of reading, uwm matched reading tutors with 531 children in more than 15 school and child care centers. Assessment results generally showed improved literacy skills among children. Uwm also supported children in after school and school-based programs. Of 2258 students enrolled in uwm supported programs, 97% progressed on time to the next grade. Uwm supported seven education programs during the summer of 2015. These programs include home visiting programs that prepared children to enter kindergarten, and school-based programs designed to inhibit "summer slide. "organizational development initiatives-united way of the midlands also strengthens the community by supporting volunteerism and providing resources and training to health and human service agencies meeting needs in the community. United way placed 7 americorps vista workers and five work study students in local agencies and programs, recruited and involved 3832 volunteers in service and trained 19 emerging leaders in nonprofit governance through the blueprint for leadership program.