THE MANY FACES OF OF TOMPKINS COUNTY 2017 – 2018 Community Report “I have the privilege to work with these and so many other exceptional community members who care deeply about the residents of this community.” Letter from James Thank you for viewing UWTC’s annual report. In the midst of this unfolding organizational Whether you have chosen a print or electronic transformation, it periodically felt as if we were format, you will find a snapshot of the work done building an airplane as it was taxiing down the by committed and caring volunteers and staff. runway. UWTC’s Board, volunteers, and staff are The 2017-18 fiscal year presented a range of to be commended for boldly moving forward in unanticipated opportunities, and many came in the face of major change. the form of real challenges. A special thank you goes to Heather McDaniel Cornell University’s Andy Noel and Adrian Durant and John Rudd for stepping in last September graciously gave UWTC their trust to partner in to lead our community campaign. For the bringing generators to the U.S. Virgin Islands record, September is not the ideal time for following last year’s devastating hurricanes – assuming campaign leadership roles. John and Power the USVI. This provided UWTC finance Heather were (and remain) community and director John Peeples and I the opportunity to UWTC champions. learn a lot about the purchase, and land and water I have the privilege to work with these and so transport of durable goods. Thanks to generous many other exceptional community members individuals and volunteers, UWTC also helped who care deeply about the residents of this facilitate the shipping of complete classrooms community. Their caring leads to concrete and needed supplies to Houston and Florida. actions that make life better for all. At home, our agency partners continued to Thank you and all who helped make life provide meaningful services that change people’s stronger in Tompkins County. lives. Internally, UWTC volunteers completed a planning and operational cycle with the creation of a new business model for community engagement and impact, asking and answering the question: How can UWTC become a better and more inclusive community partner with James Brown, President and CEO individuals and employers? United Way Tompkins County Page 2 United Way of Tompkins County 2018 Day of Action United Way of Tompkins County Education helps people meet their immediate, Children and youth succeed basic needs while creating lasting in school, work and life. change by strengthening the three building blocks for a good life: Education, Financial Stability and Health. Financial Stability Individuals and families have improved stability and self-sufficiency Health Children, seniors and adults have improved physical emotional, and mental well-being. Page 3 THERE IS A WAY To support local mothers Two years ago,14-year-old Anna discovered she was pregnant just a few weeks before giving birth. Searching for support, Anna found her way to the Child Development Council’s Teen Pregnancy/Parenting Program. Through the Child Development Council (CDC), she received transportation assistance, baby supplies, and information on birthing, childcare, and parenting. The CDC helped Anna understand her rights and accommodations as a young mother, enabling her to shorten her school day so that she could spend more time with her baby. Thanks to hard work, support from her family, and CDC’s continued advocacy, Anna is on track to complete high school. Anna can continue working with CDC until her child is five years old, so her success story is far from over. There is a way, the United Way. Because of UWTC funding, Anna was able to transition to motherhood with a village of support and encouragement. Page 4 Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. With YOUR help in 2017 Raised for Hunger and Food Security Families Seniors received tax received childcare counseling services assistance Our Mission: Vision Statement Community Values Working with others, we will build We, as a Tompkins County an organization that supports Organization, understand: To improve individuals in their efforts to The culture of this community live self-sufficient, productive affects our employees, our lives by lives and connect families with customers, and our business. We their communities. We will also benefit when others succeed, mobilizing encourage diverse agencies and and we must be engaged. communities to engage each We affirm that we will: other to achieve mutual goals the caring and models while expecting Actively promote conversations fairness, dignity, and respect. around shared values that celebrate inclusiveness, power of our excellence, independence Disability statement and generosity. We commit to communities In order to address the needs collaboration with others to of individuals with disabilities, create a culture of tolerance, United Way of Tompkins County is respect, and sustainability. committed to working with local We will continue to develop organizations in our community and implement organizational that provide opportunities for policies and practices that mirror individuals with disabilities to lead our communities’ assets fully inclusive lives. This applies and opportunities. to all programs across Education, Therefore, we commit our Financial Stability, and Health. organization to be fully engaged Your support for the United Way in building a community Community Care Fund helps people where hope is encouraged, with all abilities maximize their and equality is the norm. independence as fully engaged members of our community. Page 5 Corporate Cornerstone Partners 2018 Day of Action Platinum Corporate Cornerstone Partners $50,000 and above provide the infrastructure upon which UWTC works and serves. This generous and committed group of individuals and employers join together and underwrite UWTC’s administrative costs so that 100% of all other donations can be used for needed program services. Diamond Circle Diamond Gold $25,000 — $49,999 $10,000 — $24,999 $5,000 — $9,999 Anonymous Nexamp, Inc. Page 6 Silver $1,500 — $4,999 Anonymous Corporate Cornerstone Partners, investments, and earned income underwrite Bronze $100 — $1,499 UWTC’s administrative Baker Travel costs so that 100% of all other donations can be used for needed program services Page 7 “It’s my goal to help someone every day. My theory is, everybody is hungry everyday.” Why I Volunteer 2018 Day of Caring “For those who can’t feed themselves, I like to At the 2017 UWTC Day of provide not just food but good food. When food Caring food drive, Joan Barber, a longtime United Way volunteer is given with no strings attached, in a kind way, working through the Ithaca Kitchen it’s an obvious service of love and caring.” Cupboard, coordinated and organized food donations which - Joan Barber, Food Coordinator from Ithaca totaled more than 1,000 pounds. Kitchen Cupboard Page 8 Student United Way Our Student United Way Ithaca College Student United Way groups represent current The Ithaca College Student United Way (IC SUW) engages the community through volunteerism and and next generations of annual events, such as their Family Carnival. All IC SUW community leaders. United fundraising goes to support their annual competitive Way of Tompkins County grant cycle to fund local nonprofit organizations. supports two local Student Cornell University Student United Way United Ways, Cornell The Cornell Student United Way leads and supports University and Ithaca a range of service activities and fundraising efforts College Student United Way. including the annual Duff Ball. Fundraising by the Cornell Student United Way supports the Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service jobs program for local high school students. Finger Lakes Toy Library Ithaca Child Newspaper Ad $240 Catholic Charities Personal Needs Product Program $500 Ithaca Health Alliance Total Grants in Fall 2017 Free Clinic Services $760 Total $1, 500 Page 9 Student Engagement “Usually as a teenager, you Summers of Service would not expect to be able The Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Program provides high school students with paid summer jobs at to deal with $25,000 and act United Way partner organizations. During Summers of as ‘adults.’ However, YAP was Service 2017, sixteen students were employed at local a student centered program nonprofits, where they learned about health and human where all the decisions were services in Tompkins County. made by teenagers. I learned that we can deal with Youth and Philanthropy Program (YAP) Youth and Philanthropy (YAP) provides youth with a important topics too!” greater understanding of current community needs and - Jisoo Ha, YAP 2017 opportunities to explore individual leadership abilities, participate in team-building activities, learn about charitable giving, review grants, and invest in community programs that impact local residents and organizations. FOCUS on Community Understanding Service UWTC staff and high school YAP students work for several weeks at Dryden Middle School to hold a competitive grant process. In 2017-18, students from Dryden Middle School awarded $2,000 to local organizations serving the Town of Dryden. FOCUS awards are funded by the Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund and Cornell University Student United Way. Page 10 2017 YAP Awards Total YAP Grants in Fall 2017 Advocacy Center of Tompkins County Golden Opportunity (GO) Critical Safety Needs Fund $1,700 GO Tutoring & Mentorship $1,165 Catholic Charities of