2013 UNITED WAY OF BERKS COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT You believe two words can make a difference... LIVE UNITED ...And we say THANK YOU! MISSION United Way of Berks County improves lives by inspiring collaboration, volunteerism and financial support to A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP build a stronger community. Dear Friends: While we are pleased to celebrate significant successes during the past year, we know it is not just about the numbers. It is about the people whose lives we change - - kids who are learning to read, parents who are better able to support their families, individuals who have somewhere to turn when it feels like no one is there. It is about helping those in need of help and hope. Thank you for partnering with United Way and helping to strengthen our community. Improving the academic success of children in Berks County is one of our major areas of focus, and we marked our first anniversary of the Ready.Set.READ! initiative in 2013. The critical ingredient for the initiative is collaboration and community action…all of us working together to support strategies that improve reading proficiency. Students at 22 elementary schools within eight school districts are gaining new reading skills thanks to the tremendous support and partnership between the educational community, volunteers, businesses and community partners. We all recognize when you improve education, you improve the community, and vice versa. This past year, Berks Countians continued to share hope, kindness and generosity to build a stronger community and a stronger future. United Way’s work touched the lives of local children, families and older adults - - • More than 300 volunteers participated in projects countywide in our annual Day of Caring • More than 2,400 people found answers through the 2-1-1information and referral service • Over 225 trained volunteers helped nearly 400 second graders needing assistance to become proficient readers • More than 100,000 of our neighbors’ lives were touched by United Way programs • A record $9.3 million was contributed during our annual campaign We share our gratitude with each of you. Your commitment allows United Way to be a powerful force of change in our community. For all you do to support our mission... THANK YOU! Doug Yocom Tammy White Chairman of the Board President 2011 - 2013 2 United Way of Berks County | 2013 ANNUAL REPORT MISSION IN BERKS COUNTY, WE LIVE UNITED United Way of Berks County improves lives by inspiring collaboration, volunteerism and financial support to build a stronger community. United Way donors and partners are the driving force behind United Way’s work to help youth achieve academic success, to strengthen the lives of families and older adults and to build a better community for all of us. • The United Way of Berks County Tocqueville Society, which is made up of individuals that personally Thank you for helping raise more contribute an annual gift of $10,000 or more, than $9.3 million and serving as an represent 21% of the total annual campaign. The 136 Tocqueville members contribute nearly important partner in advancing $2 million. United Way’s work. • The Pacesetter Program is integral to the success of the annual campaign and represents more than 26% of the total 2013 campaign, with 1,476 members contributing an annual gift of $1,000 or more. In 2013, these individuals collectively contributed more than $2.4 million. • The 2013 Community Leaders Challenge Match, which provided $150,000 in matching dollars allowing leadership giving donors to maximize their contributions, was generously supported by Eagle Brass Company, Tompkins VIST Bank and two anonymous donors. 3 FOCUS AREA: eDUCAtIOn United Way of Berks County works with partners, donors, volunteers and supporters to tackle key issues within our focus areas of Education, Income, Health and Safety Net Services. United, we help more than 100,000 local people each year. EDUCATION PROGRAMS FUNDED BY UNITED WAY BIG BROtHeRS/BIG SISteRS OF BeRKS COUntY We help children enter school ready to learn and achieve Mentoring Program Services ............................$178,782 educational milestones by BIRDSBORO COMMUnItY MeMORIAL CenteR Out of School Programs .....................................$57,183 • Improving access to early learning opportunities and CAMP FIRe USA: ADAHI COUnCIL quality child care Council Clubs ....................................................$8,491 • Focusing on youth development Community Outreach .......................................$152,952 tHe CHILDRen’S HOMe OF ReADInG • Funding after-school and mentoring programs Alternative education Program ........................$71,830 BeRKS COUntY InteRMeDIAte UnIt CHILD CARe Child Care .......................................................$236,390 EXAMPLES OF HOW UNITED WAY AND PARTNERS GIRLS SCOUtS OF eASteRn PennSYLVAnIA MAKE A DIFFERENCE Outreach to Minority & At-Risk Girls ................$112,968 • 89% of the preschool children enrolled in United Way HAWK MOUntAIn COUnCIL:BOY SCOUtS OF AMeRICA Comprehensive Youth Development ................$182,137 supported child care programs improved their Scoutreach .....................................................$86,210 developmental skills and were ready for success OLIVet BOYS AnD GIRLS CLUB OF ReADInG AnD in kindergarten BeRKS COUntY • Supported a mentoring program for more than Comprehensive Youth Development ................$889,426 220 youth and of the eligible youth served who OPPORtUnItY HOUSe Child Care Program ..........................................$86,569 participated for one year or longer demonstrated tHe SALVAtIOn ARMY: ReADInG CORPS 100% graduation from high school and 100% Learning Center ...............................................$36,012 advanced to the next academic grade level YMCA OF ReADInG & BeRKS COUntY • Provided educational and recreational programming Child Care/Healthy Youth ..................................$224,877 Baby University ................................................$121,270 to over 8,000 youth, with 87% of the elementary RAPID ReSPOnSe FUnD GRAntS school students increasing or maintaining their grades Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County ............$15,000 SUB-COntRACteD GRAntS tO OtHeR ORGAnIZAtIOnS Berks Women in Crisis .......................................$5,000 Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County .........................................$5,000 Opportunity House .............................................$1,000 Programs funded reflect allocations provided through a citizen review process and board of directors approval to United Way of Berks County agency and community partners 4 United Way of Berks County | 2013 ANNUAL REPORT FOCUS AREA: HeALth FOCUS AREA: I n com e Together, we’re investing in programs to promote good health We work to promote financial and long-term stability by to help children learn better and adults live more productive • Helping to connect individuals and families with and fuller lives by employment and educational programs • Working to reduce domestic violence and substance abuse • Providing free income tax preparation assistance to • Supporting programs for older adults qualifying households • Supporting programs around mental health, special needs, EXAMPLES OF HOW UNITED WAY AND PARTNERS and counseling services MAKE A DIFFERENCE • Funding health and safety programs • Helped more than 600 Berks Countians to gain EDUCATION PROGRAMS FUNDED BY UNITED WAY EXAMPLES OF HOW UNITED WAY AND PARTNERS functional reading skills and improve literacy skills to MAKE A DIFFERENCE advance individuals’ employment opportunities BIG BROtHeRS/BIG SISteRS OF BeRKS COUntY • Helped over 100 homeless individuals with disabilities Mentoring Program Services ............................$178,782 • Provided physical and occupational therapy and therapeutic BIRDSBORO COMMUnItY MeMORIAL CenteR recreation to over 430 children with developmental or access permanent supportive housing Out of School Programs .....................................$57,183 traumatic-induced disabilities CAMP FIRe USA: ADAHI COUnCIL • Partnered with FamilyWize Discount Prescription Card Council Clubs ....................................................$8,491 INCOME PROGRAMS FUNDED BY UNITED WAY Community Outreach .......................................$152,952 Program, which resulted in savings of more than $275,000 tHe CHILDRen’S HOMe OF ReADInG for Berks Countians needing prescriptions not covered HABItAt FOR HUMAnItY OF BeRKS COUntY Alternative education Program ........................$71,830 by an insurance plan Homeownership for needy Families .................$37,655 BeRKS COUntY InteRMeDIAte UnIt CHILD CARe LIteRACY COUnCIL OF ReADInG-BeRKS • Supported programs to provide a nutritionally balanced Child Care .......................................................$236,390 Literacy training & eSL ....................................$54,178 GIRLS SCOUtS OF eASteRn PennSYLVAnIA meal delivered to 750 homebound, elderly clients 5 days ReADInG AReA COMMUnItY COLLeGe Outreach to Minority & At-Risk Girls ................$112,968 each week, along with providing congregate meals to an Bilingual eSL Program .....................................$65,084 HAWK MOUntAIn COUnCIL:BOY SCOUtS OF AMeRICA additional 150 seniors at various senior centers tHe SALVAtIOn ARMY: ReADInG CORPS Comprehensive Youth Development ................$182,137 Supportive Housing ..........................................$27,995 Scoutreach .....................................................$86,210