Helping Others:
Helping young people succeed
Your gift will make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of young people in Washtenaw County. Here is one example of the way that you can nurture a dream:
Brian Young had a dream to be a music teacher. Without financial resources or support from home, Brian’s dream was floundering. The College/Career Prep Club (C/CPC) at Peace Neighborhood Center, which receives support from Washtenaw United Way’s Community Fund, helped find the resources so Brian could take college entrance exams, apply and be accepted at Eastern Michigan University. As a music major, he now teaches percussion to third through eighth graders in Peace Neighborhood Center’s drum line, nurturing their dreams.
Of the 214 young people enrolled in the College/Career Prep Club since its inception:
147 (69 %) have gone on to attend college;
122 ( 60 %) were the first in their families to attend college; and
182 (85 %) found employment with the help of the CCPC.*
*Peace Neighborhood Center statistics
Supporting and Strengthening Families and Individuals
Your gift to support and strengthen families and individuals helps local families build better lives. Here is one example of the impact that your gift can make:
In 1996, Monica Ireland was a single mother of a three-year-old son. She managed to achieve an associate’s degree, but was unable to further her education on her pay as a waitress. She relied on one babysitter after another to care for her son Desmond while she waited tables. Perry Nursery School, which receives support from Washtenaw United Way’s Community Fund, gave Monica and Desmond the stability and structure to allow him to learn and grow while Monica worked full-time and pursued her education. Now Monica, a college graduate, is the Adoption Intake Counselor for Washtenaw County, and Desmond is a confident, independent teen.
80% of Perry Parents were able to attend school or continue working.
65% of Perry parents have completed a term of college or vocational training leading to a job.
67% of Perry families have increased their financial stability thanks to Perry’s sliding fee scale.*
* Perry parent survey
Assisting Seniors
Your gift to assist seniors makes a real difference in the lives of thousands of senior citizens in Washtenaw County every day, through programs that help seniors live with dignity and independence. Here is one way that you lend a hand through United Way:
Even though Erma Lathum lost her sight to glaucoma 30 years ago, she has maintained her independence. Living along, she often lacks the energy to prepare meals and loses interest in eating. Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, which receives support from Washtenaw United Way’s Community Fund, delivers hot, nutritious meals to homebound individuals. Erma looks forward to her daily delivery. “Meals on Wheels makes me want to eat, even when I don’t feel like it.
78% of clients receiving home-delivered meals report health improvements.
94% say home-delivered meals have made it easier for them to live independently.
96% say that home-deliver meals are their most important source of nutritious food.*
*Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels client survey