Impact

We Fight for Education

A good education is the foundation to a better life. With a solid education, doors of opportunity open towards sustainable employment, and thus, financial stability. United Way provided 17,600 children, youth, and parents/guardians with access to early-childhood education, supported positive academic outcomes through academic achievement, school attendance, and grade promotion services designed to boost every child’s chance for success in school, work and life.

United Way Managed Programs

• 132 pre-school students received individualized attention through the ReadingPals While these students began the academic year under performing in reading comprehension, by the end of the year, 71% tested kindergarten ready.
• 344 first-generation, low-income and/or veteran students enrolled at Seminole State College received assistance through the Destination Graduation and received the resources they need to stay in school and graduate with their cohort.

United Way Funded Programs Fast Facts

• 1,469 students were impacted by services that provided early-childhood education, supported positive academic outcomes, improved school attendance, increased grade promotion, and assisted with developing a graduation and post-secondary plan
• 100% of children and youth improved their school attendance rates
• 98% of youth achieved an on-track GPA to move to the next grade
• 100% of high school seniors graduated on time

Partner Agencies in Education

Heart of Florida United Way has partnered with non-profit agencies across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties to ensure students get the assistance they need to succeed. It is only by working united that Central Florida students will be able to live a better life.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida
• City Year Orlando
• Foundation for Orange County Public Schools
• Hope CommUnity Center
• Orlando Community & Youth Trust
• Orlando Day Nursery
• Winter Park Day Nursery, Inc.

We Fight for Financial Stability

Financial stability is a key component to living a better life. With over 50% of the Central Florida population falling into the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained Employed) category, financial stability can be next to impossible to achieve when living paycheck-to-paycheck. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families found themselves falling from the edge of the fiscal cliff; this was the emergency that crippled many people. Despite this new financial obstacle, Heart of Florida United Way served 111,061 Central Floridians last year through financial stability programs.

United Way Managed Programs

• 3,021 Central Floridians received free, in-person tax preparation assistance with an IRS-trained volunteer through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, AARP locations or filed online using MyFreeTaxes.com.
• 767 low-to-moderate income households received tax refunds by claiming the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) through United Way’s financial stability coalition.
• 193 families with 344 school-age children received resources and case management to avoid foreclosure or eviction through the Siemer Institute for Family Stability. By helping families become financially stable, students were able to stay in their school and focus on their education.

United Way Funded Programs Fast Facts

• 1,208 youth and adults participated in jobs skills training
• 83% earned job-relevant licenses, certifications, and/or credentials
• Pre-COVID: 76% who were unemployed or underemployed obtained family sustaining employment, 71% retained employment after six months, and 69% increased their wages.
•  ALICE Recovery Fund: 140 ALICE households impacted by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic received more than $160,790 in rent/mortgage and/or utility assistance.
• 21,593 were assessed for income supports eligibility
• 89% of qualified households received income supports at an average of $1,752 per household
• 5,014 participated in consumer housing education and training programs; 100% obtained or maintained affordable housing
• 304 individuals opened and/or used a deposit account with a bank or credit union; 77% increased their savings (pre-COVID).

Financial Stability Partner Agencies

Heart of Florida United Way has partnered with non-profit agencies across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties to ensure families and individuals have the tools they need to be financially stable. It is only by working united that Central Floridians will be able to live a better life.

• The Christian Sharing Center
• Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C)
• Early Learning Coalition of Seminole
• Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corp.
• United Against Poverty

We Fight for Health

Being healthy is central to living a better life. Whether it’s access to regular check-ups, having someone to talk to about your mental well-being or learning healthy behaviors, being healthy can dramatically influence someone’s life. Last year, 28,973 Central Floridians participated in programs and services that helped them avoid risky behaviors and increase their health and wellbeing.

United Way Managed Programs

• 4,432 HIV/AIDS patients in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard county improved their quality of life through the Ryan White ACA and Ryan White Part B/General Revenue programs.
• 426 children and their families were able to identify potential developmental or behavioral concerns and were linked to community supports through the Help Me Grow program. Because of Help Me Grow, 77% of parents and caregivers increased their knowledge about child developmental milestones.
• 437 clients affected by the June 12, 2016 Pulse tragedy received mental health care through the Orlando United Assistance Center.

United Way Funded Programs Fast Facts

• 19,575 children, youth and adults obtained health care services
• 94% of parents and caregivers improved their parenting skills
• 93% of pregnant women received prenatal care
• 100% of children and youth adopted healthy behaviors
• 53% achieved one or more health care treatment goals

Partner Agencies in Health

Heart of Florida United Way has partnered with non-profit agencies across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties to increase access to health care and well-being awareness. It is only by working united that Central Floridians will be able to live a healthier and better life.

• Embrace Families (Community Based Care of Central Florida, Inc.)
• Grace Medical Home
• Health Care Center for the Homeless, Inc.
• Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families
• UCP of Central Florida

We Fight for Survival

There are basic necessities that everyone requires to live a better life. Food and housing top the list, but according to the United Way ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed) Report, nearly half of Central Florida is struggling to consistently provide the basics. United Way worked to reduce the level of crisis for 275,239 of our community members by helping to meet immediate, emergency needs through programs and services.

United Way Managed Programs

• 258,500 individuals received assistance through United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral Crisis Line. Ranging from suicide crisis de-escalation to hurricane season information to connecting individuals with resources to meet housing, food, healthcare and utility needs, 2-1-1 was there to answer the call 24/7/365.

United Way Funded Programs Fast Facts

• 13,974 were provided with case management services and 7,007 were provided with low barrier emergency housing in support of issues related to homelessness and domestic violence
• 36,385,633 meals were served through congregate meal services and emergency food pantries
• 92% of seniors reported “maintained or improved” ability to live independently
• 91% of seniors reported “maintained or improved” physical and mental well-being

Partner Agencies in Basic Needs

Heart of Florida United Way has partnered with non-profit agencies across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties to ensure every person in our community has access to the basic necessities needed to live a better life.

• Catholic Charities of Central Florida
• Christian Service Center for Central Florida, Inc.
• The Christian Sharing Center
• Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
• Harbor House (Orange County Center Against Domestic Violence)
• Help Now of Osceola
• Meals on Wheels Etc., Inc.
• Osceola Council on Aging, Inc.
• Safehouse of Seminole
• The Salvation Army of Orange & Osceola County
• The Salvation Army of Seminole County
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
• Seniors First, Inc.

We Fight for Veterans

Making it home is only half the battle. Mission United is a collective effort that addresses the complicated and fragmented systems of veteran services currently in place. It is a community collaboration that serves as a central contact for veterans to access community support and resources.

MISSION UNITED

• 712 veterans received case management and services to increase stability for the veterans and their families.
• 85% were able to receive the services needed to address their needs.

 Volunteers Who Joined the Fight

Volunteer work impacts all facets of United Way’s mission. Heart of Florida United Way’s Volunteer Resource Center harnesses the caring power of our community to create lasting change. Overall, 6,019 volunteers contributed 47,515 hours of service, saving local nonprofit agencies over $1 million ($1,152,238).

Thanksgiving Project 2019: For the first year, Heart of Florida United Way dished out 1,000 Thanksgiving meal kits with a side of hope at three sites throughout Central Florida. The Thanksgiving Project alleviated some financial burden for more than 600 pre-qualified ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) by reducing expenses for a big holiday meal.

Share the Love 2020: Share the Love brings together volunteers to pack nutritious, shelf-stable meals for families in need. In 2020, volunteers packed 1,000 Friendship Soup kits to feed those in need in our community.

Volun-Tourism: In 2019, 75 million people visited the Orlando area. The VRC has established a line of Volun-Tourism products to appeal to individual, corporate, and convention visitors to extend the benefit of our local Tourism industry. These programs harness the volunteer power of groups ranging from 3 to 3,000 participants to support the community through meal packing, bike build, and other engaging projects.

In 2019, more than 3,000 H&R Block employees visiting Orlando for their annual conference helped prepare 250,000 meals for Feeding Children Everywhere and built 300 bikes for New Image Youth Center United Against Poverty Orlando and Orange County Public Schools. Our Volunteer Resource Center is helping to bring Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities to life through engaging volunteers activities.