Building Stronger Communities

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)

educationHelping Kids Succeed in School

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 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)

incomePromoting Financial Stability for Families

When you give to United Way you:

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.

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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.

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.

60% of the people in Polk County are obese or overweight. (Source: Florida Dept. of Health)

healthImproving People’s Health

When you give to United Way you:

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 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.

safety netAddressing Community Needs

When you give to United Way you:

w Provide short-term support and resources for initial stabilization of a crisis related to violent 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.

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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.

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

uwcf.org

CONNECTBUILDING BLOCKS THAT

US ALLA 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.

education. income. health.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

Our Partners in POlk & Hardee COunties

Achievement Academy. Inc.Alliance for Independence, Inc.

American Cancer Society, Florida DivisionAmerican Red Cross, Polk County ChapterBig Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc.Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lakeland and MulberryCamp Fire USA Sunshine Council

Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc.Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center

Children’s Home Society of FloridaChurch Service Center, Inc.

Citizen CPR, Inc.Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs

Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland - HardeeEarly Learning Coalition of Polk County

Enterprise Community Services, Inc.Epilepsy Services West Central Florida

Explorations V Children’s MuseumFamily Emergency Services of Winter Haven

Family Literacy Academy at Lake WalesFrostproof Care Center, Inc.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. Girl Scouts of West Central Florida - Polk County

Girls Incorporated of LakelandGirls Incorporated of Winter Haven

Good Shepherd HospiceHardee Family YMCA

Hardee Help CenterHeart of Florida Legal Aid Society, Inc.

HELP of Fort Meade, Inc.InnerAct Alliance

Lake Wales Family YMCALakeland Volunteers in Medicine

Learning Resource Center of Polk County, Inc.Lighthouse for the Blind - Polk Division

Mulberry Community Service CenterNAMI Polk County, Inc.

Neighborhood Service CenterNU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc.

Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc.Sunrise Community of Polk County, Inc.Talbot House Ministries of Lakeland, IncThe Salvation Army of East Polk County

The Salvation Army Serving West Polk CountyTri-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

Alpha Omega Crisis CenterAmerican Red Cross Highlands County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the SunCoast, Inc.Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of AmericaCentral 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 YMCANU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc.

Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc.Ridge Area ARC

Youth & Family Alternatives, Inc.

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

United Way of Central FloridaHighlands County DivisionPO Box 3860Sebring, FL 33871PH (863) 453.3401FAX (863) 453.3405