United Way Of Greater Mercer County Inc

TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITIES.

BASIC NEEDS AND HEALTH & WELLNESS: THROUGH THE STRIKE OUT HUNGER (SOH) INITIATIVE 80,000+ MEALS WERE PROVIDED IN 2022 TO TRENTON AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA WHICH INCLUDES FRESH PRODUCE MADE POSSIBLE WITH UWGMC'S PARTNERSHIP WITH WEGMANS, MERCER STREET FRIENDS FOOD BANK, ROLLING HARVEST FOOD RESCUE, GEOGREENS, A HYDROPONIC FARM AND OTHER LOCAL NJ FARMS. THE STRIKE OUT HUNGER INITIATIVE INCLUDES A COMMUNITY-WIDE MEAL PACKING EVENT, PICKING/GLEANING FRESH PRODUCE, FOOD DRIVES, AND AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON FOOD INSECURITY. OVER 218 INDIVIDUALS WERE SCREENED FOR SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM), NEW JERSEY HEALTH BENEFITS, AND OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS. THE TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF BENEFITS CONFIRMED WAS $100,000+ WITH THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL DRAWDOWN OF $1,752. SNAP PROVIDES NUTRITION BENEFITS TO SUPPLEMENT THE FOOD BUDGET OF NEEDY FAMILIES SO THEY CAN PURCHASE HEALTHY FOOD AND MOVE TOWARDS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. HEALTH INSURANCE LIKE MEDICAID AND CHIP (CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM) HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES ACCESS HEALTH BENEFITS AND MEDICAL CARE. A TOTAL OF 2,772 MERCER COUNTY RESIDENTS BENEFITED FROM SINGLE CARE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS FAMILYWIZE), A DISCOUNTED PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM WHICH EQUATES TO A SAVINGS OF $270,247. THIS FREE SERVICE CAN BE USED WHETHER OR NOT AN INDIVIDUAL HAS INSURANCE.

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES: MORE THAN 15,000 CONTACTED NJ 2-1-1, A MULTILINGUAL REFERRAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE HOTLINE AVAILABLE 7-DAYS A WEEK/24 HOURS A DAY. THE TOP THREE NEEDS FOR MERCER COUNTY RESIDENTS WERE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. MOST OF THE INQUIRIES CAME FROM OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS IN THE TRENTON, LAWRENCEVILLE, PRINCETON, AND HIGHTSTOWN. UWGMC CONTINUES TO MAKE A GALAXY DIGITAL, THE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT AND MATCHING SOFTWARE AVAILABLE TO MERCER COUNTY NONPROFITS AND AREA BUSINESSES.

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT MORE THAN 1,229 MERCER COUNTY RESIDENTS FILED THEIR TAXES FOR FREE THROUGH THE VITA PROGRAM OR FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES. THE SAVINGS IS $491,600 PLUS. WHEN LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, EVERY PENNY COUNTS. HAVING TO PAY A TAX PREPARER THE AVERAGE $400 IT COSTS TO FILE FEDERAL TAX RETURN MEANS SKIMPING ON FOOD, PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, OR THE UTILITY BILL. UWGMC'S VITA PROGRAM (VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE) IS ESSENTIAL TO ENABLING LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS GET THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY BACK INTO THEIR POCKETS. UWGMC PARTNERED WITH OPERATION HOPE AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL COACHING AND DEBT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FREE TO FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. IN RESPONSE TO THE UNANTICIPATED FINANCIAL HARDSHIP THAT THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS HAS BROUGHT, THE FINANCIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND COACHING ADDRESSES A HOUSEHOLD'S ENTIRE FINANCIAL SITUATION, INCLUDING PAYING FOR ESSENTIALS, UNDERSTANDING DEBT REPAYMENT OPTIONS, BALANCING HOUSING COSTS WITH CREDIT CARD DEBT, AND STUDENT LOANS.

EDUCATION: UWGMC'S COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM PROVIDES TWO VITAL RESOURCES THAT CREATE PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC STABILITY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. OUR FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) WORKSHOPS HELP STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ACCESS FREE FEDERAL AID AND OUR ESSAY WORKSHOPS EXPAND A STUDENT'S PORTFOLIO OF AFFORDABLE OPTIONS BY ELEVATING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF AN APPLICATION. MORE THAN 900 KITS LITERACY, STEM, ANTI-BULLYING AND GARDENING - WERE CREATED AND DISTRIBUTED TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE HELP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.