At United Way of Knox County's Annual Meeting on February 9, 2010, board members, volunteers and partner agency representatives gathered to hear about United Way's impact on lives during 2009. The following reflects United Way's work to Advance the Common Good for Knox County in 2009:

UNITED WAY’S WORK TOWARD ADVANCING THE COMMON GOOD

• Twenty-three Community Impact Panel volunteers interviewed and rated programs of 2010 prospective partner agencies; Fund Distribution Committee members recommended a 2010 investment of $529,125 in 40 programs from 21 partner agencies.
• Seven United Way partner agencies received project assistance at their agency through coordination of 80 volunteers on Community Care Day.
• Four Challenge Grants were awarded, investing $15,000 in new and expanded programs; financial stability in youth was targeted in the Financial Peace University Course coordinated by CenterPointe Church; early learning was promoted through support of YMCA’s childcare; early learning was targeted by Knox County Head Start’s Let’s Get Ready event; and, financial stability was promoted for families through the “Keep the Change” program coordinated by Mental Health America of Knox County.
• A Born Learning Trail was established in Mount Vernon’s Riverside Park, along with an early learning playground; $19,046 was raised to complete this special Early Learning Initiative project.
• Day of Action 2009 was a free day of early learning activities that served 50 Knox County families as part of the Early Learning Initiative.
• Through funding from the Ohio Heritage Foundation’s Rural Homeless Initiative of Southeastern and Central Ohio (RHISCO), five financial stability workshops were presented to 66 participants collectively; workshops focused on buying a car, first time home buyers, home weatherization, stretching grocery dollars, and inexpensive holiday gift giving.
• Area families saved $63,069.82 with the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card; pharmacies reported 5,728 claims, and an average savings of 27% off of $220,771.38 in prescription costs, an average of $10.88 per card use.
• Ninety community members participated in the “Responsibilities of Nonprofit Board Members’ training by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
• A Poverty Simulation was held for 50 area residents, social service workers, volunteers, school representatives and business representatives as part of United Way’s Financial Stability Initiative.
• Area residents saved $70,000 in tax preparer fees through United Way’s free tax assistance program, enabling 355 households to file tax returns free of charge; 307 federal tax filers kept every dollar of the $456,466 in refunds received; 37% of clients received the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Conducted a Behavioral Health Task Force survey of area physicians to learn more about local mental health and addiction issues.
• Co-Hosted “Advancing the Common Good of Knox County through Simple Gifts TM ,” featuring Dennis Embry, Ph.D., president of PAXIS Institute.
• Received $7,355 from Ohio Children’s Trust Fund Grant providing 11,000 Born Learning materials to parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers.
• Served as fiscal conduit for Knox County’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program distributing $33,217 in rent/mortgage assistance for 80 households, and $5,000 in baby formula/diapers; distributed $21,700 in ARRA funds for rent assistance for 55 households and $1,615 for 34 nights of emergency shelter.
• Received AEP Ohio grant of $5,905 for rent/mortgage assistance.
• Completed United Way Worldwide’s Standard of Excellence Self-Assessment; survey data will guide planning for the next three years.
• Secured $649,650 in pledges, 95.5% of the $680,000 campaign goal as of 2/5/2010; with conservative projections of $18,000 on accounts not yet reported, the campaign is on track to achieve at least 98% of the goal.

Download United Way's 2009 Report to Stakeholderst here.

To learn more about the impact of United Way funded programs in 2009, download United Way's Community Impact Report here.