Community Impact is . . .

1. The mission of Lenawee United Way is to mobilize community resources to create a measurably better life for the people of Lenawee County. Lenawee United Way

2. create lasting changes in community conditions Mobilizing communities that to improve lives Community Impact is . . . Definition of Community Impact: Improving lives by mobilizing communities to create lasting changes in community conditions. Lenawee United Way

3. “Cultivate the root. • The leaves and branches will take care of themselves.” • Confucius Lenawee United Way

4. Priority Area Goal Objective Strategy What Does “Getting Focused” Look Like? Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Lenawee United Way

5. Income-To cut in half the number of lower-income families who are financially unstable Health- To increase by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors Education- To cut in half the number of high school dropouts in half Funding Collaboration Programs Our Goals Over Next 10 Years: How We’re Working Towards Them: Lenawee United Way

6. Our Programs

7. Myth Buster #1 • How much of my donation goes to serving those in need? • 99% of your investment stays in Lenawee County. The other 1% is membership dues paid to United Way Worldwide for the use of the brand, market research, and training events. Lenawee United Way’s overhead is 14%, which meets national United Way Worldwide standards and compares favorably with other local non-profit health and human service organizations. Lenawee United Way

8. Myth Buster #2 • My investment doesn’t go where it’s needed most. • Lenawee United Way awards grants to address the greatest needs of the most vulnerable persons in our community. Community volunteers decide where your investment is most needed. These teams of volunteers review and evaluate each program application and decide upon the level of funding to award each program. In addition, United Way has its own annual audit conducted by an outside accounting firm to make certain the donor gifts are used properly. Lenawee United Way

9. Myth Buster #3 • My investment doesn’t go where I want it to. • Your donation is invested in the Community Impact Fund which supports our partner programs. If you prefer, gifts of $100 or more, may be designated to a specific non-profit health and human service agency (7% administrative fee will be applied). Your designation to a specific non-profit agency does not effect the amount of money that partner agencies are awarded from the Lenawee United Way Community Impact Fund. Lenawee United Way

10. Myth Buster #4 • Does United Way support church-related activities? • United Way funds agencies that offer a wide range of services including some that are affiliated with local churches. However, these programs are supported because they meet a critical community need. United Way funds only the health and human service programs, not the religious activities. Lenawee United Way

11. Myth Buster #5 • Who decides which programs you fund? • Knowledgeable, well-trained volunteers from across our community - people like you - carefully screen and select the programs funded by your United Way contribution. After • selection, these programs are closely monitored to make sure they produce positive, measurable results. • Our United Way staff facilitates this unique process but does NOT determine which programs are funded; the process is entirely community-driven. Lenawee United Way

12. Myth Buster #6 • Why give to United Way instead of a specific agency? • An investment to the United Way will assure the availability of an entire network of human services.  For example, a homeless family needs food, clothing, and shelter.  If you give to a specific agency you can make this happen.  But, what if the family also needs job training, daycare, and counseling to leave the shelter?  No one agency can meet all the needs of this family.  United Way makes sure all these services are available, from the temporary bed to the long-term solution.  Lenawee United Way

13. Myth Buster #7 • I don’t have a lot to give, can I make an impact? • YES you can!  No matter how much you choose to invest, you will be helping to improve the lives of families in Lenawee County.  Your investment is joined by many others to support a network of programs and partnerships that produces outcomes. Lenawee United Way

14. 2012-2014 Funded Programs Education Adrian Community Preschool – Kindergarten Preparation Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee – Project Learn Communities and Schools of Lenawee – Integrated Student Support Communities and Schools of Tecumseh – Total Quality System Goodwill Industries – Youth Start LISD – Lenawee’s CHILD Income Childcare Network – Family Support Community Action Agency – Complete Approach to Self-Sufficiency & CASS Mini IDA Goodwill Industries – Workers on Wheels Habitat for Humanity – Home Ownership Housing Help of Lenawee – Housing First Health Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee – Triple Play Catholic Charities – Clinical Counseling Voucher Program Family Counseling & Children’s Services – Clinical Counseling Voucher Program Family Medical Center – Improved Access to Medical Services HOPE Community Center – The Wellness Club Legal Services of South Central MI – Domestic Violence Prevention Salvation Army – Fresh Food Initiative YMCA of Lenawee – Y Jump Start to PLAY