2016 Community Report

Because of you - individual donors, corporate campaigns, foundations, volunteers, organized labor, and other supporters - United Way of Long Island was able to achieve the following in collaboration with our more than 100 community partners in 2016. Download a PDF of our 2016 Community Impact Report

IMPROVING EDUCATION

  • 95% of the 34,000+ children participating in United Way-supported early learning programs showed an improvement in school-readiness.
  • 80% of the 7,800 children participating in United Way - supported tutoring and homework assistance programs improved their grades. Of this number 90% improved their attendance after participating in academic and social enrichment activities.
  • 100% of the 105 teens participating in D.R.E.A.M.S. for Youth and other scholarship initiatives through United Way of Long Island experienced greater success in school.  
  • 6,000+ students received school supplies through the Stuff-A-Bus Campaign.  
  • More than $350,000 in scholarships were distributed to 105 high school and college students to enhance their educational opportunities.
  • 115 young adults and veterans acquired career skills and credentials for better jobs by participating in YouthBuild and VetsBuild.

FINANCIAL STABILITY

  • $2.25 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) were returned to more than 14,000 low-income earners.
  • 800+ families on the brink of eviction were enrolled in homelessness prevention programs.
  • 9,500+ people were provided with services in order to remain housed and 98% remained housed.
  • 19,000+ individuals received workforce training, completed high school equivalency diplomas and made progress toward a college degree.  
  • 1,500+ employment placements were made, as well as workers upskilled for better jobs.  
  • 1,052 families (1,887 adults/ 1,257 children) received emergency utility assistance through Project Warmth.  
  • 657 veterans received emergency financial assistance, case management, PTSD counseling, and other services to maintain self-sufficiency.
  • 500+ low-income families participated in financial coaching and began saving for college, homeownership or retirement.

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.
  • 50,000+ counseling sessions gave people experiencing mental health challenges and addiction someone to turn to.
  • 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.
  • 5,000+ children participated in the Healthy Kids,  Healthy Families Initiative to reduce obesity.  
  • 3,258 individuals received supportive services through the Ryan White Part A/MAI program, managed by United Way.
  • 15,000+ individuals received savings of $730,000 through the FamilyWize Discount Prescription Program.
  • 7 United Way-supported housing projects were built to address the health needs of families.
  • 32,730 clients received assistance from the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP).

2-1-1 LONG ISLAND CALL CENTER

  • Approximately 10,500 calls for help were answered by the 2-1-1 Long Island United Way Call Center.
  • 211LongIsland.org received 394,000 visits

* Individuals may participate in more than one program.

Data and statistics are to date as of January 2017.