Waysupportedfoodpantryprogramsservedmorethan114,545individuals,andUnited-Wayfundedreferralcenterslin

United Way of Central Ohio

Building Blocks for a Good Life United Way of Central Ohio is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income, health and home. These are the building blocks for a good life: a quality education that leads to a productive career, enough income to support a family through retirement, good health, and a safe place to live.

We have identified key issues in our community and are working to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place.

EDUCATION Kindergarten Readiness Community Issue: Economically disadvantaged children enter kindergarten 1-2 years behind in language and other skills important to school success.

Our Response: In 2006-07, 2,250 young children in Franklin County received high quality early care and education services in United Way-supported early learning centers.

High School Graduation Community Issue: In 2006-07, Columbus City Schools’ graduation rate was 72.9%.

Our Response: United Way-funded youth programs helped 33,657 children and youth develop the social skills and life skills they need to succeed in school.

INCOME Financial Stability Community Issue: Franklin County’s population has increased 2.5% since 2000; the number of families living in poverty has grown at nearly 20 times that rate – by 40.8%.

Our Response: In 2007, workforce development programs supported by United Way placed over 2,000 people in full-time employment at an average starting wage of $9.13 per hour. An additional 317 people entered into training programs to gain the skills that will make them more competitive in the workplace.

Emergency Assistance Community Issue: The 2-1-1 assistance hotline in Franklin County received 139,869 emergency food requests in 2007, up from 116,997 requests in 2006.

Our Response: In 2007, United Way supported food pantry programs served more than 114,545 individuals, and United-Way funded referral centers linked over 106,433 callers to food pantries in their neighborhoods.

HEALTH Barriers to Accessing Health and Wellness Services Community Issue: More than 38,000 Franklin County residents were without a regular source of medical care such as a doctor’s office or clinic.

Our Response: In 2007, United Way supported visiting nurses served 347 clients. Of those people, 70% were linked to at least one additional health care service.

Maintaining Healthy Nutrition and Fitness Community Issue: In Franklin County nearly 25% of all children and 48% of African American children are overweight.

Our Response: 88% of 1,500 participants in a United-Way supported youth sports and physical education program reported engaging in at least 60 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week.

HOME Safe Neighborhoods Community Issue: There are 287 identified neighborhoods groups in the City of Columbus. Only two of them have paid staff members to help keep their neighborhoods safe and their neighbors involved.

Our Response: In 2007, United Way’s Neighborhood Partnership Center developed nearly 70 trainings in 2007 for over 730 participants who learned how to improve their neighborhoods.

Safe and Decent Housing Community Issue: There are over 4,500 vacant properties in Columbus.

Our Response: United Way’s advocacy efforts were instrumental in the passage of HB 138 in the Ohio state legislature. This law will help reduce the growing number of vacant and abandoned properties in our communities, which can be havens for criminals and threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.