United Way of Northeast Florida is making sustained positive changes in peoples' lives. The success stories you can view here are the results of such changes, made possible by services provided by participating United Way Agencies.

Critical Focus #1

Leveling the Playing Field: Early Childhood Success
United Way-sponsored programs improve access to prenatal and infant care and to quality preschool programs. The goal is to provide young children their best chance to be ready for school.

Cynthia

Born with a cleft palate, Cynthia endured years of corrective surgeries. Her early traumas took a toll: When she enrolled in a United Way-funded early learning program, she was painfully shy and refused to look at staff or other children. Her mother, a volunteer at the child care center, has been a faithful attendee at parent meetings where she learned how to redirect Cynthia’s temper tantrums and create effective discipline strategies. Cynthia’s father attends sessions that help fathers and daughters bond while completing an activity. Today, Cynthia talks more, knows the alphabet, can write her name and, loves dancing!

Critical Focus #2

Intervention When It Counts: Helping Students Achieve
United Way sponsors programs that provide mentoring, counseling, case management, teen parenting prevention and support, after-school activities, tutoring, and enrichment activities to help students succeed in spite of obstacles.

Andrew

For Andrew, as for many boys, growing up in a single-parent home can pose unique challenges. But when he joined a United Way-funded youth development program in the second grade, his life changed for the better. Now on track to attain the organization’s highest leadership rank, this young man says it has helped him become a better student and a wellrounded person. Confident and outgoing, Andrew credits the program’s leaders and friends for helping him learn how to speak up, participate and reach out to others.

Critical Focus #3

Support for Older Adults: Senior Engagement & Independence
United Way funds programs that help frail seniors maintain their independence and delay costly out-of-home care. Also supported are programs that connect retired citizens with volunteer and philanthropic opportunities.

Richard and Barbara

A member of the committee that helped create a local United Way-funded community center, Barbara is glad she recognized the need. “If it wasn’t for the center, we wouldn’t be as social as we are now,” she says about herself and husband Richard, two of many seniors who stay active and involved through its programs. Today, they enjoy meeting and greeting new members, volunteering at a local arts and music center and periodically writing for the local newspaper. Richard plays tennis and helps facilitate a senior cultural program. Married 54 years in September, the couple takes water aerobics classes together, attends concerts and lectures and are active members of the senior social group.