The Impact of
As many as one-third of working Americans do not earn enough money to meet their basic needs. Wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of housing, healthcare and education. Currently, 40 million Americans are working in low-paying jobs without basic health and retirement benefits.
investing IN
ACROSS THE NATION, UNITED WAYS ARE WORKING TO CUT IN HALF THE NUMBER OF LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES WHO ARE FINANCIALLY UNSTABLE BY 2018. It’s an ambitious goal to help 1.9 million working families walking a financial tightrope unable to save for college, a home or retirement - get on the road to economic independence. These pages share how your local United Way supports this work:
our investments yield: A thriving community working together, fulfilling basic needs and building economic self-sufficiency for all.
$761,875
the state of
INCOME
2013-2014
•
Investment in
Source: Just Economics
United Way
income
At least 30,000 jobs in Buncombe County, or about 1/4 of total jobs, do not pay a living wage of $11/hr.
•
Almost 1 in 4 (24%) children live in poverty in Buncombe County.
Source: Community Health Assessment, 2010
•
Since 1998, foreclosures in Buncombe County have gone up more than 4 times, from 275 in 1998 to 1,376 in 2010, mirroring the state rate.
2013-2014 Investment
community-level Results we Support:
$204,599
$115,671
People in crisis or with ongoing needs have increased access to and use of public and private services that provide basic needs assistance. People increase their vocational, language and literacy skills.
$19,000
More workers earn a living wage.
$77,335
People increase their capacity to move out of financial crisis.
Source: NC Foreclosure Help
A track record of success Results of our 2011-2012 investments:
30,000 Actual Lives Improved
27,913
20,000
ROI in Income: 135%
Expected Lives Improved
$63,082
People increase skills to manage financial resources and build stability.
$282,187
Low-income households have increased options for affordable and safe housing.
20,676
10,000
0
‘13-’14 expected return on investment:
Emergency Home Repair
Adult Literacy
4,188 people will increase their vocational, language and literacy skills or will earn a living wage,
emergency financial help
Management Counseling
single parent support
access basic needs assistance,
food distribution financial literacy
Holiday advocacy Assistance for reducing
poverty
CLOTHING CLOSET
LEGAL AID
living wage certification
TAX PREP
Housing Assistance
2,678 people in crisis or with ongoing needs will JOB PLACEMENT/ COACHING
diversifying our investments Basic Needs Assistance
18%
Increase Financial Stability
Move out of Financial Crisis
8%
Affordable, Safe Housing
37%
stability,
5,679 households will have increased options for affordable, safe housing, and much more.
360
24
18
Hours were donated by focus area volunteers
Programs receive funding in Income
Programs receive 3-year contracts
NC 2-1-1 ASHEVILLE CALL CENTER EXPANDS TO SEVEN COUNTY AREA Within the past year, the Asheville call center of NC 2-1-1 successfully expanded its service into three neighboring counties: McDowell, Rutherford and Polk.
$
$
27%
Job Skills & Living Wage Jobs
2,898 people will increase skills to build financial
FAST FACTS
Rent/Utility/Medical Assistance
How we reach our goals:
DISASTER RESPONSE JOB TRAINING transitional case management Debt living support
But there’s still more work to be done. That’s where you come in! Turn the page for more information about our important work and how your Giving, Advocating and Volunteering are making a real difference in people’s lives.
10%
Tara’s Story Tara had been living paycheck to paycheck for three years, so when she lost one of her part-time jobs, she had no nest egg to tide her family over while she searched for work. She wanted to provide things like dance class or summer camp for her daughter, but now she wondered if she could keep food on the table. That’s when a friend suggested she call United Way’s 2-1-1 to connect with resources that might be able to help. Our nonprofit partners helped Tara improve her literacy and technical skills and learn how to manage her finances during this difficult time. They helped her access transportation services and healthcare and even connected Tara’s daughter with a summer enrichment program. Your support makes Tara’s success possible. Tara’s success makes our entire community a better place to live. When she gains full-time employment because of her new job skills, her company will be better able to meet its goals. Her co-workers will be able to depend on her because she shows up on time and rarely needs to take a sick day. Her daughter will be on the path to high school graduation and continuing the cycle of employment and contributing to our community.
These communities join our existing service area of Madison, Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties, and share their tradition of strong local partnerships and call volumes among residents. NC211.org is available online to every North Carolinian to search for local services, plus 87 percent of the state’s residents also have access to NC211 by dialing 211 on their phone.
Community partners in Income: Disaster Reflief (American Red Cross); Cornerstone (CARING for Children); The Success Equation, Family Resource Center at Emma (Children First/ Communities in Schools); Job Training & Placement, NEW! GO Kitchen Ready (Green Opportunities); Homelessness Prevention and Rapid-Rehousing, Pathways to Permanent Housing, The Road to Housing (Homeward Bound of Asheville); Supported Employment (Irene Wortham Center); Living Wage Employer Certification (Just Economics); Adult Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (Literacy Council of Buncombe County); Food Distribution, MANNA Packs for Kids (MANNA Foodbank); Mothers On the Move (Mountain Area Child and Family Center); Emergency Home Repair (Mountain Housing Opportunities); Financial/Housing Counseling, Money Self Sufficiency (OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling); Homelessness Prevention, Immigrant Self-Sufficiency (Pisgah Legal Services); Emergency Assistance (Swannanoa Community Council); Hillcrest Community Resource Center (Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation); New Choices (YWCA)