2011 Campaign Brochure

Building Stronger Communities

education

Helping Kids Succeed in School Last year in our community, 43% of children entering kindergarten did not have the language skills they needed to learn to read.

(2010 ECHOS Status Results – Polk County Schools)

t A book bag and a tote were all that Alexia had left to her name. Now she has a job and a new apartment.

Your United Way gift helped make this possible.

When you give to United Way you: w Help train teachers to improve preschool language skills and prepare children like Karly to enter school ready to read. w Provide mentors and tutors that help to improve

income

Promoting Financial Stability for Families

academic performance of children at risk of school failure. w Help kids who are struggling in school, to get the help they need to graduate on time.

In our community, 50% of single-parent families with young children are living in poverty.

(Source: US Census)

When you give to United Way you: Karly’s parents were told she would never be able to see. 85% of learning is visual. Still legally blind, with eyeglasses and therapy, Karly will enter school ready to read.

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w Help people like Alexia earn GED’s, pursue higher education and advance in their jobs so family income can grow. w Help families build savings accounts so they can manage emergencies like car repairs, high utility bills, or unexpected health issues. w Support volunteer tax preparation programs that help families use tax returns to establish savings and meet financial goals.

health

Improving People’s Health

60% of the people in Polk County are obese or overweight.

(Source: Florida Dept. of Health)

t Providing support to stabilize a family crisis is important to the well-being of a compassionate

When you give to United Way you:

community.

w Improve access and utilization of health services for people like Tylor who don’t have health insurance. w Increase knowledge and personal responsibility about health issues that

safety net

Addressing Community Needs

lead to improved blood pressure, weight control and other critical health indicators. w Reduce avoidable hospitalizations, institutionalizations and incarcerations with prevention services and treatment for those with addiction.

Safety Net programs provide short-term crisis services important to the well being of a compassionate community.

When you give to United Way you: w Provide short-term support and resources for initial stabilization of a crisis related to violent

A serious medical condition had destroyed Tylor’s music career. Because of generous United Way donors, he is back to work playing the songs he loves.

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weather, fire or acts of violence. w Provide emergency food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless. w Provide counseling for individuals dealing with grief and mental illness that reduces the need for hospitalization/institutionalization.

uwcf.org

Our Partners in Polk & Hardee Counties

BUILDING BLOCKS THAT

CONNECT US ALL education. income. health.

A quality education is the first step toward a stable job and steady income.

Without good health, everyday life becomes a struggle. United Way is working to provide opportunities for all of us to succeed. We are all in this together, so when you help your neighbor in need, you also make your community stronger.

2-1-1 is free, bilingual, and available 24 hours a day. All calls are confidential.

Dial 2-1-1 on any phone in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties.

If you have trouble, dial 863-648-1515.

Services and information can also be accessed online at www.uwcf.org/211

United Way of Central Florida

Achievement Academy. Inc. Alliance for Independence, Inc. American Cancer Society, Florida Division American Red Cross, Polk County Chapter Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc. Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America Boys & Girls Clubs of Lakeland and Mulberry Camp Fire USA Sunshine Council Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc. Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Children’s Home Society of Florida Church Service Center, Inc. Citizen CPR, Inc. Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland - Hardee Early Learning Coalition of Polk County Enterprise Community Services, Inc. Epilepsy Services West Central Florida Explorations V Children’s Museum Family Emergency Services of Winter Haven Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales Frostproof Care Center, Inc. Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Girl Scouts of West Central Florida - Polk County Girls Incorporated of Lakeland Girls Incorporated of Winter Haven Good Shepherd Hospice Hardee Family YMCA Hardee Help Center Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society, Inc. HELP of Fort Meade, Inc. InnerAct Alliance Lake Wales Family YMCA Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine Learning Resource Center of Polk County, Inc. Lighthouse for the Blind - Polk Division Mulberry Community Service Center NAMI Polk County, Inc. Neighborhood Service Center NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc. Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc. Sunrise Community of Polk County, Inc. Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland, Inc The Salvation Army of East Polk County The Salvation Army Serving West Polk County Tri-County Human Services, Inc. Volunteers In Service to the Elderly (VISTE) Women’s Care Center of Bartow, Inc. Women’s Resource Center of Florida, Inc. YMCA of West Central Florida, Inc. Youth & Family Alternatives, Inc.

Our Partners in Highlands County

United Way of Central Florida PO Box 1357 Highland City, FL 33846 PH (863) 648.1500 FAX (863) 648.1535

United Way of Central Florida Highlands County Division PO Box 3860 Sebring, FL 33871 PH (863) 453.3401 FAX (863) 453.3405

Alpha Omega Crisis Center American Red Cross Highlands County Big Brothers Big Sisters of the SunCoast, Inc. Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, Inc. Children’s Home Society of Florida Early Learning Coalition of Highlands Co. Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society, Inc. Heartland Horses & Handicapped, Inc. Highlands Family YMCA NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc. Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc. Ridge Area Arc Youth & Family Alternatives, Inc.