TOGETHER, WE WILL LIFT 15,000 HOUSEHOLDS OUT OF POVERTY BY 2028, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. 1 in 3 Pierce County families live in poverty. We fight for them so they don’t have to choose between buying groceries or paying rent. We fight so their children have strong futures. United, we can do much more together than alone.

1 IN 3 LOCAL RESIDENTS STRUGGLE TO GET BY THE NUMBER OF PIERCE COUNTY RESIDENTS STRUGGLING WITH POVERTY WOULD FILL THE TACOMA DOME AND CENTURY LINK STADIUM

TRANSFORMING LIVES with poverty-cutting programs and services that help residents who are struggling BASIC NEEDS: Building a Solid Foundation Ensuring Pierce County families have access to basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter so they can move out of crisis. SOUTH SOUND 2-1-1: Breaking Down Barriers Connecting local families to critical resources and navigation services such as behavioral health, housing, transportation and employment. STRONG FAMILIES: Achieving Financial Stability Ensuring families become stable and can thrive with free financial, educational and employment coaching.

CHANGING COMMUNITY CONDITIONS ADVANCING CHANGES IN POLICY that affect root causes of poverty and lead to systems change BEING INCLUSIVE ACROSS SECTORS to ensure the best minds in the community work together   FOSTERING INNOVATIVE & SCALEABLE SOLUTIONS that are human-centered, one neighborhood at a time ENSURING A STRONG SAFETY NET that promotes self-sufficiency.  

USING DATA TO INFORM OUR WORK Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Standardized measurements present a broad picture of financial insecurity in Pierce County

MEET THE FACE OF POVERTY

WHY DO SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS STRUGGLE? THE COST OF LIVING CONTINUES TO INCREASE…

CHANGING LIVES, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME “I felt all alone like I had no one to turn to. After getting support, I was able to focus on the big picture. I got a job, stable housing and I know that I have the strength and the connections to so many services and supportive groups that coach me and are there for me every step.” Anita, Sound Outreach/Center for Strong Families Program Participant

BASIC NEEDS: Building a Solid Foundation by ensuring individuals and families have access to food, clothing and shelter so they can move out of crisis. Last year alone, more than 124,105 of our residents received services ranging from food and shelter to child development support.

SOUTH SOUND 2-1-1: Breaking Down Barriers  United Way operates South Sound 2-1-1, a FREE resource that connects individuals and families and helped them navigate through services via phone, text or online. We connect people in need with a trained specialist to get matched with the right services in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis Counties. Utilities Rent, Low Cost Housing/ Shelter Transportation Legal Assistance Basic Food Behavioral and Physical Health Employment FamilyWize Discount Prescriptions and much more! During personal hardships and emergencies, South Sound 211 is a lifeline that can help individuals find programs and services for basic needs most of us take for granted. With the cost of living skyrocketing throughout Pierce County, too many individuals and families are struggling to afford basic needs like food, clothing and shelter.   We connect individuals and families with programs and services that help them meet their basic needs right in their community. Instead of multiple calls, this free helpline connects people in need with a trained specialist to get matched with the right services. With 211, individuals and families have access to hundreds of services and programs from Pierce, Thurston and Lewis Counties such as, Utilities, Rent, Low Cost Housing, Transportation, Shelter, Legal Assistance, Basic Food, Employment Resources, Behavioral and Physical Health and Free Tax Preparation. 211 can also be accessed via text or online.

2-1-1 RESULTS YOU CAN SEE In 2018, 2-1-1 Offered a Lifeline to Critical Services 90,000 total contacts were made with 2-1-1 5,599 connected to rental assistance 2,743 connected to a transportation provider 404 families were connected to childcare  “Speaking with 2-1-1 made me realize that there are people who do care and now I have somewhere to turn.” -- Robert

Recent graduates of a Center for Strong Families certificate program. STRONG FAMILIES: Achieving Financial Stability So far, we have deployed the Center for Strong Families program at 7 sites to help residents face their toughest financial challenges. Individuals get free one-on-one financial and career coaching and education to help them take control of their finances and move into economic self-sufficiency.   Families who struggle with poverty know it's more than just money they lack. Many don't know where or how to find the resources that will help get them back on solid ground. Recent graduates of a Center for Strong Families certificate program.

STRONG FAMILIES: Center for Strong Families results… 112 people achieved a level of post-secondary education or training to prepare for higher paying jobs while building skills that lead to better jobs; 373 people got new jobs!   Average net worth income per family increased to $12,496 making it easier to afford daily expenses, build assets and prepare for minor emergencies 312 people built savings, have good credit, manage debt and develop a goals for a realistic retirement 207 grew their credit scores and developed smart debt, so their families can reach long term goals like home ownership or college education LEARN EARN KEEP GROW

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS AT WORK By leading, collaborating and investing in initiatives and program, programs we tackle social issues with key community partners. 

GIVE GENEROUSLY When you support our work, you’re gaining a strategic partner to align your philanthropy with your goals. 

ADVOCATE FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE Our advocacy agenda provides guidance on state policies and positions that address our work in breaking the cycle of poverty. We focus on: Ensuring there are Emergency Services for People in Need Building Strong Families through Economic Stability Making sure Kids have a Healthy Start

VOLUNTEER AND GET CLOSER TO OUR WORK Our Summer Meals program ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Look for ways to get engaged year-round! CenturyLink employees participated in a Day of Action

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR CORPORATE LEADERS

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO REDUCE POVERTY? Donate an extra $25 a month to provide 5 calls to 2-1-1 to help house people who are experiencing homelessness Give your time to collect and sort food for the Summer Meals Program for local school kids Write your congress person and ask them to support hard working families struggling to make ends meet Attend a United Way event to connect with like-minded leaders who want a stronger Pierce County Never stop fighting for what’s right for all members of our community. You are a difference maker!