United Way of Central New York

Community impact:united Way's community program fund currently provides funding to 74 programs at 33 local agencies that passed our fiscal and management review. Our eight outcome areas are: children are born healthy and have the social, emotional, and developmental supports to thrive. People can meet their basic needs. Children enter school ready and are reading at grade level by third grade. Youth ages 13-18 develop the academic, social, and emotional skills for success in high school and beyond. Adults can gain employment, maintain their jobs, and advance in their careers. Individuals with trauma, mental illness, and substance abuse diseases receive support, treatment, and prevention. Older adults are safe, healthy, and able to maintain the highest possible quality. Families and individuals become self-sufficient; securing and maintaining education and income to support their basic needs and build wealth of life.

Housing & homeless coalition:the housing and homeless coalition of Central New York (hhc) acts as the local hud continuum of care (coc ny-505). The United Way of Central New York became the collaborative applicant in 2017 and the staff of hhc became United Way employees.hhc is dedicated to reducing, preventing, and ultimately ending homelessness in our community. The hhc allocates and oversees federal funding to service providers in the three-county region: onondaga, oswego, and cayuga. Prior to the pandemic, through the work of the hhc, homelessness in this region had been reduced. Since 2021, homelessness has increased dramatically and the hhc has been instrumental in bringing together people to address the New challenges that have arisen. Hhc has also brought in New grants during the year and has added staff.

Literacy coalition of onondaga county:the literacy coalition of onondaga county began in 2007-2008. Lcoc works to achieve 100% literacy across all ages. Lcoc brings together stakeholders to monitor literacy and support programs that support learning for children and adults. The lcoc continues to participate in the dolly parton imagination library and is the oldest and largest program in nys. More than 1.6m children in onondaga county have received a free book in the mail every month from birth to age five. Lcoc also focuses on literacy services for adults.

Ca$h coalition:united Way of Central New York administers the ca$h coalition, convener of organizations and businesses dedicated to promoting financial stability and asset-building opportunities for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in onondaga county. The ca$h coalition oversees free tax preparation services through the vita (volunteer income tax assistance) program. Total returns were 3,222 generating returns of $4.1m.2-1-1:2-1-1 cny is an information and referral service launched in february 2015 that serves onondaga, oswego, madison, jefferson, lewis, and st. lawrence counties. It is supported by nys, onondaga county, and United Way. In the past twelve months, the total number of calls/texts to 211 cny between 7/1/23 and 6/30/24 is 36,680.regional volunteer center:united Way of Central New York coordinates a comprehensive volunteer center serving cayuga, cortland, madison, onondaga and oswego counties. Our volunteer center was actively involved in pandemic relief efforts. We connected 1,109 referrals for opportunities within the community. The day of caring in 2023 mobilized 1,215 volunteers logged a total of over 3,645 hours on our day of caring, completing 100+ projects at local nonprofits and community organizations. The value of that time can be calculated at over $115k!our drives were as follows:2023 care package: 850 care packages2023 book drive: 6,000+ books2024 United for moms: 200 bagsleadsafe cny coalition:in march of 2024, United Way of cny became the home of the leadsafe cny coalition and hired a director. The coalition is focused on eradicating lead poisoning and assisting/educating affected families. Book buddies:the United Way of cny's book buddies program is an in-person tutoring program that utilizes community volunteers to work one-on-one with students in kindergarten through third grade to provide them with a positive environment for reading practice, helping them to become stronger readers. Twice a week, for 30 minutes, students practice their reading skills with a supportive adult. Volunteers commit to at least one hour a week and work with two students during the hour. The syracuse city school district contracted this year with the United Way of cny to deliver book buddies at five schools, seymour dual language academy, roberts prek-8 school, bellevue elementary, dr. Weeks and dr. king. We served close to 500 students during the school year and external evaluators determined that children involved in book buddies made greater progress in reading skills than their peers.