For more than 85 years, United Way has been using its expertise to make the South Hampton Roads region stronger. Now we’re creating opportunities for a good life for all by focusing on: With quality education, a stable job and access to affordable health services, people thrive. Education Financial Stability Health

Why is this work important? Research shows there is a strong connection between a child’s early experiences and his/her successes in school and later in life. Education Intended Result: More kindergartners are promoted to first grade. One out of eight (12%) children entered kindergarten below readiness benchmarks set by the state. (VA State Department of Education) 3.5% of our region’s Kindergarten to 3 rd grade students were retained in 2008, compared to state average of 2.3%. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Helping Children & Youth Achieve Their Potential

Education Helping Children & Youth Achieve Their Potential Why is this work important? For children to be successful in school and beyond, they need a firm footing in basic reading and mathematical skills. In Spring 2009, 83.5% of our region’s children passed their 3 rd grade English SOL Test and 90% passed their 5 th grade Math SOL Test. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Intended Result: Elementary students are prepared to succeed in later grades.

Education Helping Children & Youth Achieve Their Potential Why is this work important? The Rand Corporation estimated that each high school dropout costs between $188,086-$297,188 in current dollars per year, pulling from government services and welfare. Nearly one in ten of our region’s high school students are dropping out before graduating. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Only 80% of our region’s students are graduating high school on time. The on-time graduation rate for African Americans is eleven percentage points lower than that for whites. For males, the rate is seven percentage points lower than that of females. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Intended Result: Young people graduate from high school.

Education: Making an impact in early childhood education United Way’s Raising A Reader take-home book bag program has seen measurable results in preparing children to succeed in preschool and beyond: The kindergarten retention rate has decreased from 8.0% to 3.5%. Approximately 26,400 books are distributed to at-risk children each year.

Financial Stability Promoting Financial Stability and Independence Intended Result: More working families increase their income. Why is this work important? A growing and diversified regional economy is vital for citizens to be economically self-sufficient. The region’s per capita income in 2007 was $37,347 compared to the State’s average of $41,727. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) From 2006 to 2008 the region’s poverty rate increased by just over one percentage point to a rate of 10.7%. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) % of Persons Below Poverty (2008) Chesapeake7.7% Isle of Wight7.8% Norfolk18.9% Portsmouth18.5% Suffolk9.7% Virginia Beach6.5%

Financial Stability Promoting Financial Stability and Independence Intended Result: Ending homelessness in South Hampton Roads in 10 years. Why is this work important? There is growing demand for affordable housing for our neediest citizens. Approximately 1,400 people are homeless on any one day in South Hampton Roads. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Number of Homeless Persons (2009) Chesapeake38 Norfolk577 Portsmouth303 Virginia Beach433 Western Tidewater71 Region1,422

Financial Stability: Promoting financial stability and ending homelessness As a member of the Regional Taskforce to End Homelessness, United Way is moving people off the streets and into housing. In addition to recruiting volunteers for Project Homeless Connect events throughout the region, United Way has helped establish permanent support housing units for the chronically homeless in Norfolk and Virginia Beach and is looking forward to the opening of a third such complex in Portsmouth. Gosnold Apartments Norfolk 60 Person Occupancy Cloverleaf Apartments Virginia Beach 60 Person Occupancy South Bay Apartments Portsmouth 60 Person Occupancy

Financial Stability: Promoting financial stability and ending homelessness United Way of South Hampton Roads, in partnership with the South Hampton Roads Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, has helped provide volunteer tax services to eligible citizens, while seeking to educate, inform and communicate the value of financial literacy to citizens of South Hampton Roads: 1,200 low income individuals received free tax preparation services. More than $1.5 million in refunds were processed. 460 individuals qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit with an average refund of $1,600.

Health Improving the Health of Children and Adults Intended Result: Disparities in health status will be reduced for children and adults. Why is this work important? Health is strongly linked to education and income: good health allows children to learn better and adults to increase their income through productive work. Conversely, health problems often lead to school absences and is the primary cause of bankruptcy. South Hampton Roads has a high rate of obesity and hypertension which causes increased spending for medication and other health related expenses.

Health Improving the Health of Children and Adults Intended Result: Access to primary care services will be improved for low-income and the uninsured. Why is this work important? “Uninsured adults…are four times more likely to delay or forego needed care. [This]…can lead to more serious health problems, making the uninsured more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable conditions. Overall, the uninsured are less likely to receive preventative health care.” (2008 Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured) There are over 123,000 persons in the region who are without health insurance. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Nearly 7% of children under 18 are uninsured. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report) Among adults between the ages of 16 and 64, nearly 16% are uninsured. (2009 Investment in Priorities, Visions and Indicators Report)

Health: Making an impact for the common good 40% of the U.S. population report they don’t buy medicine they need or reduce the required dosage because of the high cost. United Way partnered with Access Partnership and FamilyWize to distribute prescription discount cards to local residents. The FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount cards are offered free of charge to anyone without prescription drug coverage or for medicine not covered by insurance, Medicare or other benefit plans. Using this card can help reduce prescription drug costs by 20% or more. The savings on the cost of the medicine is provided by the participating pharmaceutical companies. Since United Way began making these cards available in the community, citizens have saved more than $2.4 million on the cost of their medications.

Why United Way of South Hampton Roads? We link all of the safety net services for families in our region We engage 52,000 donors annually to make a real difference in our community We make it easy for every organization to advance the common good with their donations regardless of size We mobilize thousands of volunteers annually to engage in important social issues

Why United Way of South Hampton Roads? Regional & Local Measureable impact Partners & programs Investment decisions Governance

Why United Way of South Hampton Roads? Convenience Flexibility Oversight Scope Reach Leverage easy

United Way wants everyone involved, to bring every resident of South Hampton Roads to the table to make a difference. We already know that education, income and health are integral to the well-being of our community. We want everyone else to know how important these things are too. And it’s not just about money. Advocacy and volunteerism are necessary parts of the equation People can stand up and demand action. Or lift a hand and do it themselves. Regardless, it has to be done together.

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