EDUCATION INCOME HEALTH20,882UWCF helped

children to succeed in school by:

n Increasing ACCESS to quality childcare n Taking ACTION to improve school readiness n Increasing ACCOUNTABILITY for academic achievement K-12.

UWCF partnered to provide early literacy and school readiness programs for 6,892 children, 6 weeks - 5 years of age. These programs helped prepare children to enter school ready to learn while parents worked to support their families.

UWCF increased accountability for academic achievement for 13,990 children in grades K-12 by measuring attendance and improvements on standardized tests in reading and math.

UNITED WAY IS CHANGING OUR COMMUNITY by making sure children start school ready to learn and succeed, through to graduation and beyond.

3,042UWCF promoted financial stability

for families in the tri-county area by:n Increasing ACCESS to financial services n Taking ACTION to improve and maintain financial stability n Increasing personal ACCOUNTABILITY for finances.

3,042 heads of households were helped to avoid homelessness through emergency assistance while learning of access to programs for GED and other credentials to increase family income.

UWCF helped create free tax preparation sites where families were encouraged to use some of their tax return to open emergency savings accounts. Classes on budgeting and banking also helped families with basic money management and credit repair.

UNITED WAY IS CHANGING OUR COMMUNITY by helping hard working families increase their financial stability by building savings, improving credit scores and increasing family income.

UWCF improved the health of patients by:20,483n Increasing ACCESS to medical caren Taking ACTION to improve and maintain health n Increasing personal ACCOUNTABILITY for health choices.

UWCF is improving health in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. Specific measurements in health including body mass index, vision, seizure control, blood pressure, blood sugars and more were reported for 11,485 adults and children.

UWCF partnered to provide medical and mental health services for 20,483 children and adults whether or not they have insurance.

UNITED WAY IS CHANGING OUR COMMUNITY by improving people’s health and increasing responsibility for personal health choices; many health problems are prevented by changing behaviors.

EducationHelping Kids

Succeed in School

Increase ACCESSto quality childcare

Take ACTIONto improve school

readiness

Increase ACCOUNTABILITY

for academic achievement K-12

IncomePromoting Financial Stability for Families

Increase ACCESS to financial

services

Take ACTION to improve & maintain financial stability

Increase personal ACCOUNTABILITY

for finances

HealthImproving

People’s Health

Increase ACCESS to medical care

Take ACTION to improve & maintain

health

Increase personal ACCOUNTABILITY

for health choices

CONNECTUS ALL

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 provideopportunities 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

BUILDING BLOCKS THAT

United Way of Central Florida

United Way

n

FA

INVEST TODAY.WE RESEARCH COMMUNITY NEEDS AND DRIVE LASTINGCHANGE TO BUILD BETTER LIVES AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

IMPACT TOMORROW.

60 AGENCY PARTNERS provide 110 programs to build better lives in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERSmake a measurable and sustainable change in our community.

8,400+ VOLUNTEER HOURS improve lives by focusing on education, income and health.

$8.7+ MILLION was raised in 2011 by more than 400 organizations and nearly 20,000 donors.

64,000LIVES CHANGEDin the tri-county area last year

+

1,300 NTEERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSdour

+

United Way of Central FloridaHighlands County DivisionPO Box 3860Sebring, FL 33871PH (863) 453.3401

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

Struggling Family Learns Financial Survival Skills

For April Contreras, United Way’s Financial Fitness for Families program helped her family achieve financial stability for the first time ever.

April and her husband have three small children. Their oldest son, now nine years old, received heart surgery two months after birth. To add to the tough times, their youngest son recently became diagnosed with sleep apnea. So when April’s sister-in-law told her about the Financial Fitness for Families classes at the Frostproof Care Center, a United Way partner, she decided to venture over.

Families learn how to become more financially stable and self-sufficient through budgeting, creating a savings plan and, if needed, sessions on credit counseling. The workshops focus on the adults and offers hands-on educational activities for their children. The program also offers fun weekly challenges and incentives for families to utilize the financial tips they have learned.

The Contreras family was able to create an emergency savings account and is now better prepared for life’s challenges.

“The program opened my eyes for how to save money,” said April. “A simple decision like not buying fast food and finding a cheaper way to make dinner are things I never thought about before taking this class.”

Invest Today. Impact Tomorrow.

income

LIVE UNITED

Achievement Academy, Inc. Birth to Three Alliance for Independence, Inc. Adult Day Training, Residential Services American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Patient Lodging American Red Cross-Polk County Chapter Emergency Services, Health & Safety Services Big Brothers Big Sisters Comprehensive Mentoring Boy Scouts of America Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouting for At-Risk Youth Boys & Girls Clubs of Lakeland & Mulberry Wogan S. Badcock Jr. Club, Youth Development (3 Lakeland Clubs) Camp Fire USA Youth Mentoring Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc. Agape Food Bank, Family Empowerment, Lake Morton Senior Center, Mental Health Counseling Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Audiology for Kids, Audiology for Seniors, FastForword Program, Language Is All Around Us, Speech-Language Pathology Children’s Home Society of Florida Advocacy Center, Hansen House Center Church Service Center, Inc. Creating Healthy FamiliesCitizen CPR, Inc. CPR/First Aid Training Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs George W. Jenkins Memorial Complex, Lake Wales Unit, North Ridge Unit Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland - Hardee Accessible Quality Childcare Early Learning Coalition of Polk County Accessible Quality Childcare Enterprise Community Services, Inc. Workplace Financial Education Epilepsy Services of West Central Florida Case ManagementExplorations V Children’s Museum Biggest Saver-Exploring Family Finance, Financial Education Services, Storybook Camp Program Family Emergency Services of Winter Haven Financial Building BlocksFamily Literacy Academy at Lake Wales Early Literacy-Family Program Frostproof Care Center, Inc. Financial Fitness Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Girl Scouting for At-Risk Youth - Hardee County Girl Scouts of West Central Florida-Polk County Traditional Troop Membership, Membership Extension Outreach Girls Incorporated of Lakeland Building Strong, Smart & Bold GirlsGirls Incorporated of Winter Haven, Inc. Before, After School, & Summer ProgramGood Shepherd Hospice The Caregiver Program, The Grief Center Hardee Family YMCA After School Program-Adventure Club, Summer Program-Adventure Club, Young Adults - Achievers Club Hardee Help Center Basic Needs Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society, Inc. Legal Services HELP of Fort Meade, Inc. Access to Healthcare, Building Family Savings, First Steps to Financial Stability, Preschool Literacy Program InnerAct Alliance Drug Prevention Education Lake Wales YMCA Preschool Language & Literacy Development, After School Care & Summer Day Camp Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Inc. Pharmacy Program, Targeted Chronic Disease Management Learning Resource Center Academic Assistance Lighthouse for the Blind Early Intervention, Rehab for Blind or Visually ImpairedMulberry Community Service Center Financial Stability NAMI Polk County, Inc. Family Support & Education Neighborhood Service Center, Inc. Services for SeniorsNU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc. Senior Meals-Hardee Peace River Center Children’s Psychiatric Services, Domestic Violence-Polk County, Rape Recovery & Resource ProgramSunrise Community of Polk County, Inc. Adult Day Training, Residential Services Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland, Inc. Emergency Shelter/Basic Needs, Good Samaritan Free Clinic, Supportive Housing/Trustee Renewal Program The Salvation Army of East Polk County Shelter for Women & Children, Social Services The Salvation Army Serving West Polk County YES! Youth Education Success, Emergency Family Stability & Nutrition, H.A.L.O. Child Enrichment Center, Family Financial Stability Ministry, Family Living Program Tri-County Human Services, Inc. Agape Halfway House for Women, Health Care Educator Drug Abuse Treatment Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) Service to Seniors Women’s Care Center of Bartow, Inc. Women’s Shelter Women’s Resource Center of Florida, Inc. Independence Program for Women YMCA of West Central Florida, Inc. After School Child Care, Summer Day Camps Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc George W. Harris Youth Shelter

American Red Cross-Highlands County Emergency Services Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Boys & Girls Club of Highlands Project LearnBoy Scouts of America Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouting for At-Risk Youth Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Audiology for Kids Children’s Home Society of Florida Hansen House Center Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands Co., Inc. Children’s Advocacy Center, Eye Check, Emergency Rescue Services Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland-Highlands Accessible Quality Childcare Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Girl Scouting for At-Risk Youth Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society, Inc. Legal Services Heartland Horses and Handicapped, Inc. Horse Therapy Program Highlands Family YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship Program NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc. Home Delivered Meal Program Peace River Center Domestic Violence Ridge Area Arc Community Employment, Adult Day Training, Residential Services Webber International University High School Academic SuccessYouth and Family Alternatives, Inc. George W. Harris Youth Shelter

Polk and Hardee

Highlands

United Way of Central Florida Partners and Programs

Student Overcomes Family Trouble to Win Scholarship A’Nasia is a 12-year-old girl who entered a United Way funded program at Girls Inc. of Winter Haven in 2006. She was very shy, insecure and had little interest in school. A’Nasia’s mother Angela was unemployed due to health issues and the family of five struggled to cope after her dad left them.

In 2010, Girls Inc. started a Step Club for girls. A’Nasia was reluctant to get involved but eventually joined the group. The club helped her develop a different perspective on life and school. She participated in Girls Inc’s homework assistance program and her school grades began to improve. The agency staff communicated routinely with her mother and teachers about ways they could all work together to help her succeed in school.

Her teachers noticed a positive change in A’Nasia’s attitude as she gained confidence and excelled academically. She graduated fifth grade with a 3.75 average and earned a Fancelli Family Future Leaders Scholarship from Polk State College. Today, she enjoys attending school and has matured into a confident young lady.

“Girls Inc. has not only made an impact in my girls’ life but they have also made an impact on my life, or should I say, my entire family’s life as well,” says A’Nasia’s mom, Angela.

education healthWoman Receives Life-Saving Medical Help Connie McAdams has been a diabetic for over 25 years and had always managed her health through regular doctor visits and medication. That is until she lost her healthcare insurance through a divorce. Because of her past medical history, healthcare insurance through her employer was far too expensive so Connie was not able to see a doctor or find medications for her chronic diseases. Then, someone told her about Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM), a United Way partner. She visited LVIM where a nurse discovered that Connie’s blood sugar was over 400 and her blood pressure was very high. In addition, it was found that she was in 3rd stage kidney disease and her kidneys were working at only 40 percent. LVIM staff began treating Connie’s condition and worked to get her the medications she needed through a United Way-sponsored pharmacy program. Now three years later, Connie is healthy and enjoying life to the fullest. “I truly believe that I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for LVIM,” says Connie. “I know I wouldn’t. I owe them my life.”

Helping Kids Succeed in School Promoting Financial Stability for Families Improving People’s Health