Restore HOPE With Your Actions
Underneath everything we are, underneath everything we do, we are all people. CONNECTED, INTERDEPENDENT, UNITED. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That’s what it means to
Live United.
OUR MISSION:
To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Orange County to strengthen our community.
Together we can change a life.
Together we can strengthen OUR community. More than 229,000* households in our community can’t meet their most basic needs. These are OUR neighbors. OUR coworkers. OUR friends. These families are forced to choose between paying bills, paying rent, or putting food on the table. These are OUR youth who are striving for a better future, OUR families who are trying to gain financial independence. We believe this is unacceptable. So we’re changing things. Join OUR movement and LIVE UNITED in support of OUR neighbors. OUR coworkers. OUR friends. *Number includes 50,207 Orange County households living below poverty level ($13,690 for 2 adults) and 179,616 households living above the poverty level but below the self-sufficiency standard ($41,437 for 2 adults). Source: Self-Sufficiency Report, 2010.
MEET JENNY RODIN “Your contribution to Orange County United Way helped me receive the help I needed to become and remain a self-sufficient member of OUR community… Thank YOU!” Jenny Rodin Founder, Hope Interventions Just a few short years ago Jenny was homeless, penniless, unemployed, and unemployable. Because of people like you, Jenny now owns her own business and is providing hope and opportunity to others as an Orange County United Way donor. We are proud of the success stories we create together. Help us create more by joining our movement to improve lives.
How We Meet The Need
We invest in Orange County children, families, and individuals by mobilizing our community to meet their most basic human needs—food, shelter, and medical care—while creating pathways to selfsufficient futures through education and training. In short, we help people help themselves. To do this, we focus on the Building Blocks for a self-sufficient life: Education Income Health
EDUCATION
Orange County’s four-year dropout rate rose from 9.5% to 14.3% in the past year alone.* The first Building Block to a successful and self-sufficient future is education. Education is more than just a classroom or a teacher. For youth to receive a quality education, it takes the focus and resources of the entire community to create learning-rich environments where dreams are fueled and opportunities are delivered to those who need them. We help children and youth reach their potential through support of: Readiness to succeed in school Academic achievement Productive and engaged youth
MEET ANDREW
Born and raised in Garden Grove, Andrew entered the pre-K program at Orange County United Way partner agency Hands Together, he was a bit shy and used to being cared for by family members. Soon, Andrew grew into an independent learner who helped other children adjust. He quickly picked up English and developed a love for reading and puzzles. Today, he’s a 14-year-old academic pentathlon winner who loves math and plans to study engineering in college. “I think the school setting established a foundation for him to be a great student.” —Andrew’s mom, Luz
*Source: 2011 Conditions of Children Report
INCOME
More than 318,000 of OUR neighbors, coworkers, and friends live below the federal poverty level in OUR community.* The second Building Block to self-sufficiency is Income. Enough income to help families meet their most basic needs, while gaining the financial capability to plan for—and accomplish—their long-term financial goals. We promote financial stability and independence by helping those most in need to: Develop job skills Increase income Build savings Gain and sustain assets
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
MEET YVONNE
When Yvonne entered the job training program at Orange County United Way partner agency Women Helping Women, she had no one and nowhere to turn. The program gave her the self-esteem boost she needed and restored her hope for a better future. After just two interviews, she received a full-time job. Today she works as a personal care coordinator specializing in mental health, and she volunteers in her community. “Once again, I’m able to take care of myself and my family, and it feels great.”
HEALTH
One in six Orange County residents is uninsured.* There are also 890,000 people at risk of hunger every month in OUR community. And there are 35,000 homeless people in OUR community.* The final Building Block to selfsufficiency is Health (food, shelter, and medical care). Whether it’s a child at risk of going hungry, a family in need of safe housing, or an elderly person struggling to pay for needed medication, Orange County United Way is working to ensure everyone has access to these vital services— because without them, the pathway to self-sufficiency is unachievable. We support healthy lives through: Essential food and proper nutrition Safe shelter and secure housing Basic health care
*Sources: Community Indicator Report; CAPOC 2008-2009 Community Action Plan; OC 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan
EDUCATION
Partner Agencies
United to Bring Positive Change to OUR Community They say it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to strengthen a community ... to make sure everyone receives a quality education, can meet their basic needs, and has the tools needed to build a financially stable future. Orange County United Way is mobilizing the caring power of OUR community and the following 92 agencies to ensure our friends, neighbors, and coworkers have the Building Blocks for a self-sufficient life.
Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club of Westminster Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove Cambodian Family Chapman University Early Literacy Program El Sol Science and Arts Academy Family Support Network Friendly Center, Inc. Hands Together A Center for Children Help Me Grow OC Intervention Center for Early Childhood KidWorks Community Development Corporation Nova Academy Orange Children & Parents Together, Inc. Providence Speech and Hearing Center Rehabilitation Institute of Southern California Science@OC St. Margaret’s of Scotland Episcopal School THINK Together YMCA of Anaheim
INCOME Abrazar, Inc. Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Orange County Girl Scout Council of Orange County Girls Incorporated of Orange County Grandma’s House of Hope Instituto Para La Mujer de Hoy Jewish Family Service of Orange County Legal Aid Society of Orange County
Orange County ARC Taller San Jose Vocational Visions Women Helping Women, Inc.
Health 2-1-1 Orange County Abrazar, Inc. Acacia Adult Day Services Access OC Age Well Senior Services, Inc. AIDS Services Foundation Orange County Alzheimer’s Family Services Center Anaheim Community Foundation Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove Camino Health Center Canyon Acres Children and Family Services Casa Teresa Casa Youth Shelter Child Guidance Center, Inc. Colette’s Children’s Home Community Action Partnership of Orange County Community SeniorServ, Inc. Community Service Programs, Inc. Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled Families Forward Family Assistance Ministries Friendly Center, Inc. Friendship Shelter, Inc. Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service Gary Center Giving Children Hope Grandma’s House of Hope Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County Human Options, Inc.
Hurtt Family Health Clinic Illumination Foundation Interval House Irvine Adult Day Health Services Laguna Beach Community Clinic Laura’s House Lestonnac Free Clinic Mariposa Women & Family Center Mental Health Association of Orange County Mercy House Living Centers Miracles for Kids MOMS Orange County Nhan Hoa Comprehensive Health Care Clinic Olive Crest Treatment Centers, Inc. Orange County Bar Foundation Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center Orange County Rescue Mission Providence Speech and Hearing Center Raise Foundation Salvation Army Serving People In Need, Inc. Share Our Selves South County Outreach Southwest Minority Economic Development Association Straight Talk, Inc. The Center Orange County Thomas House Temporary Shelter Toby’s House United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County United Labor Agency of Orange County Villa Center, Inc. Western Youth Services WISEPlace YWCA of North Orange County
MEET PATTi
“I’ve always held a job and used to give to United Way through my workplace campaign. Unfortunately, I lost my job and insurance but was fortunate to find assistance at an Orange County United Way partner agency, Friendship Shelter. Now I live in transitional housing, pay rent, and work as a cashier. I have diabetes, and my job requires standing all day, which is painful. I’m so thankful for the special shoes I received for diabetics with the help of Orange County United Way. I can now work pain-free and continue on my path toward an independent and healthy life.”
You Can Help
People joining together to create lasting, positive change in our community—that’s what it means to LIVE UNITED. GIVE
Donate to Orange County United Way’s Community Impact Fund. Any amount WILL make a difference. For just $5 a week—the cost of one gourmet cup of coffee—you could provide:
Need Help?
A night of lodging for 12 families One month of after-school assistance for six children Transportation for 48 disabled individuals to find work
ADVOCATE
Champion OUR cause. Lend your voice. Don’t Just Wear the Shirt. Live It.
VOLUNTEER
Share your time and talent. Use your passion and skills to provide hope to OUR neighbors in need. To learn more about how you can Give, Advocate, and Volunteer, please visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
Sometimes life takes a turn, and you need a hand up to get back on track. If this happens to you or someone you know, call 2-1-1. This comprehensive information and referral service links OUR residents to emergency food, shelter, medical care, employment resources, and so much more. 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week. Confidential. Multilingual. Toll Free: 2-1-1 www.211oc.org
Caring is a reflex... You live, you help. Ram Dass
LEAD UNITED.
You know you’re a leader. Act on it. Show it. Share it.
You care. You want to do something in your life that makes a difference. You’re a leader. So why not join a group of like-minded people who, like you, purposefully do more than expected. They don’t do it because they have to—they do it because they WANT to. They do it because they thrive on the incredible sense of fulfillment that comes from improving lives.
Join us and LEAD UNITED. When you give at the leadership level of $1,000 (just $20 a week) or more annually, you have the opportunity to be a part of something so much greater than any one of us can achieve alone. By joining one of these donor circles, you will have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to improving lives in Orange County by LEADING UNITED.
Tocqueville Society Donors who contribute $10,000 or more annually Women’s Philanthropy Fund (Women Philanthropists) Bench & Bar (Attorneys and Judges) Real Estate Community Builders (Real Estate and Building Professionals)
Emerging Leaders Donors who contribute $500-$999 annually
Leaders’ Society Donors who contribute $1,000-$9,999 annually Women Looking Forward (Women Philanthropists)
Loyal Contributors If you’ve given to United Way for 10 years or more, we want to recognize you! You’re invited to become a United Way Loyal Contributor, joining the supporters who have given to United Way—in any city—for 10 years or more. To learn more about Orange County United Way’s Donor Circles, please visit: http://www.unitedwayoc.org/DonorCircles/
Investors in Change: Our Corporate Partners
Encouraging Employee Giving and Good Corporate Citizenship Dimensions in Giving Partner
Orange County United Way recognizes and thanks our 2011 Dimensions in Giving Partner, Western Digital. This award is given to the corporate partner that truly impacts our community through dollars raised for United Way’s Community Impact Fund, active community service, and an overall commitment to helping people though contributions of time, leadership, resources, and a spirit of giving. Spirit of Orange County Partners Orange County United Way thanks our Spirit of Orange County Partners for demonstrating their commitment to impacting people’s lives in Orange County through annual corporate investments of $100,000 or more in United Way’s Community Impact Fund. All of these companies also enjoy the distinction of being recognized as Orange County United Way Golden Key Partners.
Golden Key Partners Orange County United Way thanks our Golden Key Partners for demonstrating their commitment to impacting people’s lives in our community by raising the most dollars during their annual campaigns for United Way’s Community Impact Fund.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have. H. Samuel Brown Jr.
DON’T JUST WEAR THE SHIRT.
LIVE IT.
GIVE | ADVOCATE | VOLUNTEER 18012 Mitchell Avenue South, Irvine, CA 92614 Phone 949.660.7600 Fax 949.724.3039 www.unitedwayoc.org