Lifting families out of poverty. That goal drives the work done by United Way's Community Initiatives Department as well as our member agencies that focus proactively on increasing people’s earnings stability. We make allocation grants to agencies and lead, pursue, and join grant-funded partnerships -- like the Free Community Tax Service, the Financial Stability Alliance, Bank On Bloomington, and our new Dollars and Sense program for teens -- that can help families stay self-sufficient.
Our Earnings strategies:
- Build savings and assets.
- Increase the number of Earned Income Tax Credit filings.
- Increase financial literacy and capability.
- Provide job-related supports needed by working families.
United Way and our member agencies are increasing financial stability:
- 81% of parents with children enrolled at Monroe County United Ministries said their financial situation and employment opportunities improved because of MCUM’s sliding-fee childcare.
- 100% of clients in the Stone Belt and LifeDesigns supported employment programs gained new job skills.
- 512 people including seniors, youth, recovering addicts, victims of domestic violence, and people with disabilities were helped with budgeting and money management.
- 519 people received employment counseling at Shalom Community Center, Amethyst House, Salvation Army, and Area 10 Agency on Aging.
- 91% of clients obtained or maintained employment while recovering from addictions at Amethyst House. 84% reported an increase in income and 92% developed budgeting skills.
- 157 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness were helped to obtain a birth certificate or ID, which will help them in securing housing, employment, health care, and other necessary resources.
- 23 community members with disabilities transitioned into fully independent employment because they no longer needed workforce support.
United Way’s mission is to meet critical needs today and reduce the demand for those services tomorrow. Thanks to informed supporters like you, we and our member agencies are able to do both.