2017 Community Report

 

 

Neighbors helping neighbors – this is the core of United Way of Long Island’s work. By living united as one community, we can ensure that we remain a resilient and sustainable Long Island – because there is no place like home. United Way of Long Island was able to achieve the following in collaboration with our more than 100 community partners in 2017. 

IMPROVING EDUCATION

  • 33,000 children participated in a United Way-supported early learning program and 95% showed an improvement in school-readiness.
  • 8,000 children participated in a United Way-supported tutoring and homework assistance program.  80% improved their grades and showed advancement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  
  • 6,000+ students received school supplies through the Stuff-A-Bus Campaign. 
  • 105 teens received a United Way DREAMS for Youth scholarship or other monetary award and 100% experienced greater success in school.   

FINANCIAL STABILITY

  • $1.96 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) were returned to more than 1,775 low-income earners.
  • 18,000 individuals received workforce training, completed high school equivalency diplomas and made progress toward a college degree.  
  • 9,200 people were provided with services in order to remain housed and 98% remained housed.
  • 330 opportunity youths became “Ready to Work” and upskilled for better jobs.  
  • 1,119 families received emergency utility assistance through Project Warmth.  
  • 790 families on the brink of eviction were enrolled in homelessness prevention programs.
  • 503 low-income families learned how to successfully manage their personal finances and began saving for college, homeownership or retirement.
  • 109 veterans received emergency financial assistance, case management, PTSD counseling, and other services to maintain self-sufficiency. 
  • 77 young adults and veterans acquired career skills and credentials for better jobs by participating in YouthBuild and VetsBuild.  

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

  • 200,000 healthy meals were served by shelters or home delivery programs. 
  • 125,000 children, families and seniors accessed United Way-supported health related services including those for autism, home health care and pre-natal care.
  • 130,000 clients received assistance from the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP).
  • 50,000 counseling sessions gave people experiencing mental health challenges and addiction someone to turn to.
  • 27,811 individuals received savings of $3,471,683 through the FamilyWize Discount Prescription Program – an average saving of 39% in the areas of mental health, infections, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and others. 
  • 5,000 children participated in the Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Initiative to reduce obesity.  
  • 4,500 activities helped build connections and reduce isolation among people with disabilities.
  • 3,000 families received important information through BeReadyLI to prepare before, during and after a disaster.
  • 3,274 individuals received supportive services through the Ryan White Part A/MAI program, managed by United Way.
  • 6 United Way-supported housing projects were built to address the health needs of families.

2-1-1 LONG ISLAND CALL CENTER

  • 11,129 calls for help were answered by the 2-1-1 Long Island Call Center – a 6.4% increase from the previous year. The 2-1-1 Long Island website received 274,530 visits.

SUPER STORM SANDY, OPERATION RECOVERY & REBUILD

  • $1.8 million in support and grants from the Robin Hood Foundation were deployed to community collaborations and impacted lower-income families on Long Island with continuing needs due to Super Storm Sandy.  

* Individuals may participate in more than one program.

Data and statistics are to date as of January 2018