United Way Of Rock River Valley

UNITING THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF OUR COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE LIVES.

1. UNITED WAY SUPPORTED COVID-19 RELIEF EFFORTS BY RAISING AND DISTRIBUTING $1.4 MILLION (SPANNING TWO FISCAL YEARS) FOR COVID RELIEF IN THE ROCK RIVER VALLEY REGION. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM, UNITED WAY ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS FROM NONPROFIT AGENCIES THAT DIRECTLY SERVE CLIENTS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OR SUFFERING FROM ITS ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS AND AFTER-EFFECTS. GRANTS WERE MADE TO AGENCIES TO SUPPORT THEIR OUTREACH OF PPE, FOOD, AND CHILDCARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS. GRANTS WERE ALSO AWARDED TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES WITH THE CAPACITY TO DISTRIBUTE CASH RELIEF DIRECTLY TO CLIENTS IN NEED.

2. UNITED WAY COMMUNITY SERVICES - UNITED WAY 2-1-1 IS A 24 HOUR/7-DAY, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL HOTLINE THAT CONNECTS THOSE IN NEED TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. PEOPLE CALL 2-1-1 FROM ANY TELEPHONE AND THEY ARE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED WITH A REAL-TIME OPERATOR WHO INQUIRES WHAT THEIR NEED IS AND CONNECTS THEM WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY PROGRAMS. DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, CALLS TO 2-1-1 TRIPLED IN VOLUME AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACHED OUT TO THIS SIMPLE TO USE, ALL-INCLUSIVE RESOURCESUNITED WAY'S SINGLE CARE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD HAS SAVED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY $5.4 MILLION IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS. AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON IN WINNEBAGO AND OGLE COUNTIES, THE CARD OFFERS UP TO 40% OFF REGULAR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES. IT IS CONFIDENTIAL AND ACCEPTED AT MOST MAJOR PHARMACIES.UNITED WAY'S STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE SUPPORTS MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY BRINGING POLICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS. THREE STRONG NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSES ARE USED AS RESOURCE CENTERS WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN FIND A RELAXED, EASY WAY TO FORM A RELATIONSHIP WITH A COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER OR A MEMBER OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. NONPROFIT AGENCIES USE THE HOUSES TO OFFER SERVICES THAT ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSED IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE ESL CLASSES, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT INCLUDING RESUME WRITING AND SOFT SKILLS TRAINING, FAMILY SUPPORT INCLUDING LOCATING SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND PARENTING CLASSES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.

3. EDUCATION IMPACT INITIATIVE UNITED WAY'S BOLD GOAL IS FOR ALL 9TH GRADERS TO BE ON TRACK TO GRADUATE WHEN THEY FINISH 8TH GRADE. THIS GOAL IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL IMPACT PROGRAMS. MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS IS CENTERED AROUND AN EARLY WARNING AND RESPONSE SYSTEM THAT TRACKS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS' ATTENDANCE, BEHAVIOR, AND COURSE GRADES IN MATH AND ENGLISH. IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT WHEN JUST ONE OF THESE AREAS BEGINS TO SUFFER, A STUDENT'S CHANCES OF GRADUATING ON TIME FALLS DRAMATICALLY. UNITED WAY USES A DASHBOARD THAT TRACKS EACH MIDDLE SCHOOLER'S PROGRESS AND WHEN PROGRESS IS IN JEOPARDY, A UNITED WAY ACHIEVEMENT ADVOCATE STEPS IN WITH INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS TO GET A STUDENT BACK ON TRACK.UNITED WAY'S DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY SUPPORTS MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING POSITIVE READING HABITS AS SOON AS BIRTH. THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY BRINGS AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS TO CHILDREN AGES 0 5 YEARS OLD WHEN THEIR FAMILIES REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM. BOOKS ARE MAILED OUT EACH MONTH, DIRECTLY TO THE CHILD'S HOME AND CONTINUE UNTIL THE CHILD'S FIFTH BIRTHDAY. CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A HOME LIBRARY OF 60 BOOKS. BOOKS IN THE HOME ARE PROVEN TO BE THE SINGLE BEST INDICATOR OF A CHILD'S SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. THE MORE BOOKS IN THE HOME, THE BETTER THE CHANCES OF THE CHILD MAXIMIZING ACADEMIC SUCCESS.