Town Of Palm Beach United Way Inc

THE TOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITED WAY, INC IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY BY HELPING PEOPLE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT BUILD A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL BY FOCUSING ON IMPROVING EDUCATION, INCOME, AND HEALTH.

BUILD HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES FOR ALL: INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECAUSE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND REQUIRE FEWER GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND COSTLY LONG-TERM CARE. HEALTHY KIDS ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND HEALTHY ADULTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO MAINTAIN OR GAIN EMPLOYMENT. THE TOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITED WAY INVESTED $1,362,650 INTO 32 PROGRAMS AT 18 NONPROFIT PARTNER AGENCIES IN PALM BEACH COUNTY. MEDICAL AND DENTAL: MANY INDIVIDUALS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE OR DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY CO-PAYS FOR PRESCRIPTIONS. AS A RESULT, THEY ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH STATUS AND ARE AT-RISK FOR LONG-TERM, SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES. POOR HEALTH IMPACTS THE ABILITY TO FUNCTION, TO ATTEND SCHOOL AND TO MAINTAIN OR GAIN EMPLOYMENT. $354,400 WAS INVESTED INTO 5 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 9,141 PATIENTS.MENTAL HEALTH: MANY PEOPLE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS FROM TIME TO TIME. A MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN BECOMES A MENTAL ILLNESS WHEN ONGOING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS CAUSE FREQUENT STRESS AND AFFECT THE ABILITY TO FUNCTION. IF IMPLEMENTED EARLY, SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS WILL ALLEVIATE THE NEED FOR MORE EXTENSIVE SERVICES FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS. $264,000 WAS INVESTED INTO 11 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 13,999 CHILDREN AND ADULTS.SUBSTANCE ABUSE: INDIVIDUALS ENGAGING IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR FAMILIES, JOBS AND ENGAGING IN RISKY BEHAVIORS. MOST PEOPLE WHO GET INTO AND REMAIN IN TREATMENT STOP USING DRUGS, DECREASE THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, AND IMPROVE THEIR OCCUPATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING: ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE TREATMENT, INTERVENTION OR ON-GOING RECOVERY PROGRAMS IS NECESSARY TO HELP INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME SUBSTANCE ABUSE ADDICTION OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. $301,500 WAS INVESTED INTO 3 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 525 CHILDREN AND ADULTS.OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT: THE NEW GENERATION OR SENIORS HAS DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS THAN PREVIOUS ONES. OLDER ADULTS NEED SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEM MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT LIVING AND/OR INCREASED OR SUSTAINED FINANCIAL SECURITY. CAREGIVERS OF FAMILY MEMBERS NEED SERVICES THAT PROVIDE THEM SUPPORT AND HELP MAINTAIN A STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR LOVED ONES. $149,750 WAS INVESTED INTO 5 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 4,805 SENIORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS: AFTER AGE 21, YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES "AGE OUT" OF THE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS PROVIDED THROUGH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS NEED SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEM MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT LIVING, FINANCIAL SECURITY, AND A STABLE ENVIRONMENT. $293,000 WAS INVESTED INTO 8 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 2,382 CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

HELPING ADULTS ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND STRENGTHEN THE SAFETY NET: INVESTMENTS IN FINANCIAL STABILITY LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY BECAUSE INCOME-BASED PROGRAMS ALLOW ADULTS TO FIND AND MAINTAIN JOBS, SECURE HOUSING, PAY DOWN DEBT AND SAVE FOR THE FUTURE. ADULTS WHO ARE FINANCIALLY STABLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE HOMELESS, ENGAGE IN CRIME AND DEVELOP HEALTH PROBLEMS. THE TOWN OR PALM BEACH UNITED WAY INVESTED $1,090,200 INTO 21 PROGRAMS AT 14 PARTNER AGENCIES IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.ACCESS TO JOBS AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING: ALTHOUGH UNEMPLOYMENT HAS GONE DOWN IN THE LAST DECADE, SALARIES AND WAGES HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THE COST OF HOUSING AND DAILY LIVING EXPENSES. FOR THIS REASON, THE MAIN INCOME EARNER IN A LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD WORKS 2 OR 3 JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND MANY FAMILIES ARE BORROWING HEAVILY AND RELYING ON HIGH-COST ALTERNATIVES TO COVER THEIR DAILY EXPENSES. $160,000 WAS INVESTED INTO 4 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 917 INDIVIDUALS.FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORT: THE GROWTH OF LOW SKILLED JOBS IS PROJECTED TO OUT-PACE THAT OF MEDIUM AND HIGH-SKILLED JOBS INTO THE NEXT DECADE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE COST OF BASIC HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES CONTINUES TO RISE. THE RESULT IS THAT 40% OF WORKING FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD.TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND ARE ONE EMERGENCY AWAY FROM FALLING INTO CRISIS. MANY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN AND WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM WHEN HIT WITH CRISIS. $228,000 WAS INVESTED INTO 2 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 51,200 INDIVIDUALS.FOOD ASSISTANCE: FOOD INSECURITY IS THE LIMITED OR UNCERTAIN AVAILABILITY OF NUTRITIONALLY ADEQUATE FOOD FOR AN ACTIVE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY NEARLY 200,000 PEOPLE ARE FOOD INSECURE, INCLUDING MORE THAN 50,000 CHILDREN. HUNGER CAN HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. $198,000 WAS INVESTED IN 7 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 204,249 INDIVIDUALS.HOUSING SUPPORT AND EMERGENCY SHELTER: INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OFTEN LIVE ON THE EDGE BETWEEN LOW INCOME AND BECOMING HOMELESS. THEY MAY FIND THEMSELVES IN NEED OF EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR A VARIETY OF COMPLEX ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REASONS. EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF HOMELESS SERVICES AND ARE OFTEN THE FIRST PLACE TO TURN. $249,000 WAS INVESTED IN 4 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 1,114 INDIVIDUALS.DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS THE WILLFUL INTIMIDATION, PHYSICAL ASSAULT BATTERY, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND/OR OTHER ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR PERPETRATED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER AGAINST ANOTHER. IT AFFECTS INDIVIDUALS IN EVERY COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF AGE, ECONOMIC STATUS, RACE, RELIGION, NATIONALITY, OR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND. $255,200 WAS INVESTED IN 4 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 11,442 CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

IMPROVING CHILDREN'S EDUCATION: INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION TO LEAD OUR FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES. CHILDREN WHO HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION FROM CRADLE TO CAREER POSITION THEMSELVES FOR WORK THAT PAYS A SUSTAINING WAGE. THE TOWN OF PALM BEACH UNITED WAY INVESTED $1,048,100 INTO 24 PROGRAMS AT 16 PARTNER AGENCIES IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: CHILDREN ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT THEIR FIVES WHEN THE HAVE HAD THE BENEFIT OF HIGH-QUALITY EARNING EXPERIENCES IN THEIR EARLY YEARS. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS CAN PUT CHILDREN ON THE PATH TOWARD POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND PREVENT POOR OUTCOMES IN ADULTHOOD. $807,600 WAS INVESTED IN 12 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 5,326 CHILDREN.MIDDLE SCHOOL SUCCESS: PROVIDING ACADEMIC SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PREPARES THEM TO TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL AND PUT THEM ON A PATH TOWARD SUCCESS. MENTORING, AND AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TUTORING, AND COLLEGE AND CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAMS KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED DURING A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND. $121,000 WAS INVESTED IN 5 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 662 YOUTH.HIGH SCHOOL AND AFTER: A HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIAL IS A MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, POST-SECONDARY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS AND MOST CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, INDIVIDUALS WITH HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKFORCE, EARN HIGHER WAGES, AND ACCESS SAFER HOUSING, HEALTHIER FOOD, AND BETTER MEDICAL CARE THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS WHO LACK HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIALS. $119,500 WAS INVESTED IN 7 PROGRAMS PROVIDING SERVICES TO 3,352 STUDENTS.