In addition to education, income and health, United Way's Community Impact Fund also funds other programs that deliver vital services to the community. Your Community Impact Fund investments are helping create lasting change and better opportunities for Northeast Florida.

Programs include:

a community support network to coordinate planning, information and referral services, volunteer recruitments and disaster services
services that promote financial stability and independence, such as the Real$ense Prosperity Campaign
positive youth development
emergency services to help prevent and combat domestic violence and child abuse
independence for individuals with disabilities

Success Story: Delores and Dorian

Failing third grade and receiving behavior referrals, Dorian was on the wrong track at school. Through the help of a United Way funded agency, Delores was connected to a parent-support group and Dorian received one-on-one tutoring and encouragement to get back on track. What once felt like a lose-lose situation became a win-win. Dorian was not only promoted to the next grade, but his behavior and school grades have improved significantly. When asked how the group has been helpful, she responded, “They gave me hope; even with the ups and downs, his behavior is back on track.”

Success Story: Patrick

Helping children build vocabulary and other key literacy skills is crucial to their success both in and out of the classroom.

Unable to read and in danger of failing first grade, Patrick’s mother was worried he would continue to fall behind in school. Richelle, who is illiterate, could not provide her son these essential fundamentals. Through the help of a United Way-funded program focused on enhancing reading skills, he received one-on-one attention from reading tutors. As a result, Patrick passed the first grade and has renewed self-esteem and confidence. In fact, he is now teaching his mom to read for a little while each night. Richelle hopes to learn to read, go back to school, and perhaps someday be able to teach others how to read. Not only did Patrick receive the skills to succeed in class but it’s also given his mother something to strive for.

Success Story: Brynna

With Brynna’s mom struggling to take care of five kids and work all by herself, Brynna felt as though she had no one listening to her. With the added stress at home, it was difficult for Brynna to focus on her classes. During her freshman year of high school she was connected to a United Way-funded student enrichment program for girls. Brynna received one-on-one tutoring, counseling, and opportunities to participate in community service projects. With renewed confidence and encouragement from her teachers, she qualified as a candidate for a college scholarship program. Now a senior, Brynna is looking forward to setting career goals and a brighter future. “It’s brought me closer to my own family and helped make me a strong person,” says Brynna, “I have a reason not to quit… at anything.”