North Texas Area United Way Inc

TO IMPROVE LIVES BY MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY

EDUCATION: NORTH TEXAS AREA UNITED WAY (NTAUW)HELPS INDIVIDUALS BE PREPARED, INSPIRED, AND EMPOWERED TO BE CAREER AND COLLEGE READY. ONE WAY THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED IS BY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT ENRICH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING THOSE OFFERED BY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WICHITA FALLS, BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS, PRESBYTERIAN CHILDRENS' HOMES AND SERVICES, TEEN COURT OF WICHITA FALLS, CHILD CARE PARTNERS, COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, IOWA PARK RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER, WICHITA FALLS ARTS COUNCIL, WICHITA FALLS YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, ZAVALA AND YMCA. NTAUW SUPPORTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS EMPLOYING EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE KINDERGARTEN READINESS, ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. NTAUW DESIGNS AND IMPLEMENTS ITS OWN PROGRAMS FUNDED BY GRANTS, DONATIONS, AND CAMPAIGN REVENUE TO FILL IDENTIFIED GAPS. AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE TEXAS HOME VISITING PROGRAM (THV) THAT MATCHES PARENTS WITH A TRAINED HOME VISITOR WHO COMES TO THE PARENT'S HOME OR A CONVENIENT LOCATION. TEXAS HOME VISITING USES PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVEN TO SUPPORT FAMILIES FROM PREGNANCY UNTIL THE TIME A CHILD ENTERS KINDERGARTEN. TEXAS HOME VISITING USES THREE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE PROGRAMS ARE: NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, AND HOME INSTRUCTION FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL YOUNGSTERS. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS HEALTHY OUTCOMES THROUGH PREVENTION AND EARLY SUPPORT (HOPES). THIS PROGRAM IS OPERATED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES. THE HOPES PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION SERVICES THAT TARGET FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BETWEEN 0-5 YEARS OF AGE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE A HOME-VISITING PROGRAM COMPONENT, 24HR PARENT TALKLINE AND FATHERHOOD ENGAGEMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER SERVICES THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES RESIDING IN WICHITA COUNTY.

INCOME: NORTH TEXAS AREA UNITED WAY (NTAUW) IS HELPING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE. PROGRAMS SUPPORT SAFE AND THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS. NTAUW IS WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, OTHER FUNDERS, AND EMPLOYERS TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS AROUND ONE OR MORE OF THESE STRATEGIES. NTAUW FUNDS PROGRAMS THROUGH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, SALVATION ARMY OF WICHITA FALLS AND WICHITA ADULT LITERACY COUNCIL. THE TEXAS RESOURCES FOR IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN DEPLOYMENT (TRIAD) PROGRAM, LED BY NTAUW AND FUNDED BY THE DALLAS AND BRIDWELL FOUNDATIONS, PROVIDES WRAPAROUND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO MILITARY FAMILIES IMPACTED BY DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) PROGRAM, LED BY NTAUW AS WELL, PROVIDES FREE TAX-PREPARATION SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FINANCIAL COUNSELING.

HEALTH: NORTH TEXAS AREA UNITED WAY (NTAUW) IS FOCUSING ON INCREASING THE HEALTH OF THE NORTH TEXAS AREA SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS ARE MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND SOCIALLY ACTIVE IN A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDE NUTRITIONAL MEALS AND SOCIAL INTERACTION PROGRAMS THROUGH THE KITCHEN IN WICHITA FALLS AND AT THE BURKBURNETT SENIOR CITIZENS SENIOR CENTER. INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH FIRST STEP, INC. THE SINGLE CARE DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM HELPS LOCAL FAMILIES SAVE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG EXPENSES. THE 2-1-1 CALL CENTER HELPED 14,945 CALLERS WITH FOOD ASSISTANCE AND HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE 11 COUNTY SERVICE-AREA IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.