United Way Of The Desert

TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY THROUGH MOBILIZING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY.

UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT UTILIZES A LARGELY VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN PROCESS TO INVEST RESOURCES IN PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE, WHICH HELP MORE THAN 11,000 PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COACHELLA VALLEY AND MORONGO BASIN. WE REACH PEOPLE IN NEED TO HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR THE LONG-TERM. OUR EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON THREE AREAS: EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY AND HEALTH. UNITED WAYS FUNDING SUPPORTS 15 PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 8 MEMBER AGENCIES. TOGETHER WITH THE COMMITMENT OF DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS, UNITED WAY IS ABLE TO ACHIEVE LASTING RESULTS. WE USE PROVEN PRACTICES TO PROTECT OUR DONORS INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND DELIVER THE BEST RETURN ON EACH DOLLAR TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE GREATEST NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS.A) PROGRAMS FOR FINANCIAL STABILITYCONDITIONS: IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY, NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS LIVE AT OR BELOW 200% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL AND STRUGGLE TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS. UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, AND SHELTER FOR OUR MOST AT-RISK RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE FINANCIALLY IMPACTED BY COVID-19. THESE PROGRAMS HELP KEEP FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES AND ON THEIR WAY TO RECOVERY BY ALLOWING THEM TO RETAIN MORE OF THEIR INCOMES.RESULTS: NEARLY 3,000 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED FOR THE YEAR IN THE AREA OF INCOME STABILITY. THE PROGRAMS RECEIVING FUNDING FOR THIS AREA PROVIDED DIRECT RELIEF AND AID TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT LOST INCOME DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT ALONE, PROVIDED $154,850 IN DIRECT RELIEF FOR UTILITY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO 1,351 COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSEHOLDS, AND AN ADDITIONAL $200,000 TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS ASSISTING FAMILIES IN NEED IN THE AREA OF FINANCIAL STABILITY.B) PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATIONCONDITIONS: MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF CHILDREN ENTERING KINDERGARTEN HAVE NOT HAD ANY FORM OF EARLY EDUCATION. WITH 34% OF CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY, AND MORE THAN 80% OF CHILDREN IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY QUALIFYING FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH, MANY CHILDREN DO NOT RECEIVE AN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AT HOME DUE TO A FAMILYS FINANCIAL CONSTRAINT TO PAY FOR QUALITY PRE-K OR AFTER-SCHOOL CARE. PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN AND DEVELOP. AFTER-SCHOOL CARE AND PROGRAMS FURTHER ASSIST WITH A CHILDS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, HELPING TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE FOR THEM AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED IN CONTINUAL LEARNING BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY. RESULTS: UNITED WAYS FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 5,500 YOUTH IN ACCREDITED CHILD CARE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE; EARLY LITERACY SUPPORT; EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT; LIFE SKILLS; CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; AND CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMS.C) PROGRAMS FOR HEALTHCONDITIONS: ONE-THIRD OF COACHELLA VALLEY RESIDENTS ARE OBESE AND AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING CHRONIC AND LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS. IN ADDITION, OUR MOST UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS, INCLUDING SENIORS, DISABLES ADULTS, AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES LACK ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE. RESULTS: UNITED WAY FUNDING OF HEALTH CARE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 1,050 INDIVIDUALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN; CASE WORK AND COUNSELING FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE; AND NUTRITION EDUCATION FOR YOUTH.

UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT FUNDS AND MANAGES SEVERAL PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES FOR SPECIAL AREAS OF NEED. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH SEVEN WATER AGENCIES TO PROVIDE MORE THAN $95,000 IN EMERGENCY WATER UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO 1113 FAMILIES TO PREVENT WATER SERVICE SHUT-OFF. IN ADDITION, THE RAISING A READER PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES EVIDENCE-BASED EARLY LITERACY INTERVENTIONS FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, SERVED MORE THAN 2100 FAMILIES IN 2020-2021. LASTLY, WITH THE ONGOING IMPACTS OF COVID-19, UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $60,000 IN UTILITY, TUITION, AND HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 238 COACHELLA VALLEY FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR BASIC NEEDS.

UNITED WAY OF THE DESERT ALLOWS DONORS TO DESIGNATE GIFTS TO OTHER UNITED WAYS OR SPECIFIC 501(C)(3) AGENCIES. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 354 DONOR DESIGNATIONS TO 265 AGENCIES AND OTHER UNITED WAYS IN THE 2020-2021 CAMPAIGN. AGENCY DESIGNATIONS MAY BE PAID THROUGH A UNITED WAY OR FEDERATION TO WHICH THE AGENCY BELONGS.