United Way of Oxford and Lafayette County

Using funds raised through the annual campaign, the organization was able to provide program grants to more than twenty local non-profit organizations involved in promoting good health, quality education, and financial stability in Lafayette County. These program grants supported a wide range of efforts, including but not limited to support for adolescent mothers, special olympics opportunities for disabled athletes, counseling for victims of crime, after- and summer-school programs for young children, enrichment and mentoring activities for children and youth, basic needs assistance in the form of rent and utilities payments, meals on wheels services for seniors, and a transitional program for families moving out of homelessness. Tens of thousands of residents of Lafayette County benefited from this work.

Using funds raised through the annual campaign, designated gifts and sponsorships, and non-cash gifts the organization funded the lou excel by 5 coalition, which is a community coalition working to ensure that all children in Lafayette County enter kindergarten prepared to succeed in school and in life. The lou reads coalition is a community coalition, and United Way serves as its lead partner and fiscal agent. The lou reads coalition supports parents by providing resources and workshops, offers free professional development opportunities to local early childhood caregivers, co-sponsors a family resource library (free "toy lending library" open to the community), and coordinates family- friendly events for young children and their families.