No one can create change alone. That s why we need. Our Mission: Unite and engage our communities to improve people s lives.

Transcription

1 No one can create change alone. That s why we need. Our Mission: Unite and engage our communities to improve people s lives.

2 Dear Friends, Our fiscal year 2016 was marked by expanded depth and breadth in our work to improve lives and communities throughout central Maryland. We built upon our Family Stability programs in each of our six jurisdictions, which put more families on the path to stable, independent lives. We launched a new pilot education program to help young students in challenging neighborhoods stay and succeed in school with the goal of getting their high school diploma. We increased our assistance to veterans with the introduction of the Veterans Treatment Docket to help those who served our nation get support and guidance for mental health, employment, legal and financial counseling and other services. New, innovative initiatives and increased, sustainable success in existing programs would not be possible without the support of our key stakeholders our donors, volunteers, staff and others in the community. Together, we can be a powerful force for change to solve critical issues facing our region. Together, we can empower families that are struggling, help kids graduate, change the odds for veterans with challenges that limit their life options, and so much more. Your continued support fuels our fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in central Maryland. By doing so, we can lift up individuals, families and entire neighborhoods, creating a brighter future for us all. No one can create change alone. That s why we are so grateful for each and every one of you. James A. Wheeler Board Chair United Way of Central Maryland Chairman Ayers Saint Gross Franklyn Baker President and CEO United Way of Central Maryland

3 EDUCATION United Way helps children succeed in school so that they can graduate ready for a bright future. This includes a new pilot education program adopted in fiscal year 2016 to help young students stay on track to graduate from high school. United Way Family Center Since 2014, the United Way Family Center at Benjamin Franklin High School in South Baltimore has helped teen parents graduate by providing on-site daycare and educational programs for both parents and their children. The graduation rate is 100 percent for the Center s teen parents who were high school seniors. In fiscal year 2016, 879 school-age children (100%) enrolled in our Homelessness Prevention Program avoided a disruptive move in school. On Track 4 Success is an innovative, data-driven program that works inside schools to help teachers and other professionals identify elementary and middle school students who need intervention now. It provides the extra support students, families and schools need to help stabilize the lives of at-risk youth so that they can graduate in the future.

4 A SAFE HAVEN Upgrades for a Neighborhood Rec Center On the first official day of summer 2016, more than 40 volunteers from UPS, Target, Under Armour, Johns Hopkins and more braved the heat to take part in United Way of Central Maryland s Day of Action to paint interior rooms in Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School Recreation Center, while members of United Way s Women United group created a new library nook. In desperate need of repairs, the Rec Center is an integral neighborhood safe haven for kids to learn and play in without fear, for adults to apply for jobs and for seniors to keep cool during the hot weather. This and other area schools are often the only locations within walking distance where children who qualify can get free summer lunches which might be their only meal of the day. Thanks to our committed volunteers and supporters, we are changing the odds for families and communities in need.

5 HOUSING United Way s housing programs work to put families on the path to stability. We believe that safe, affordable housing is a basic human need, essential to keeping families intact, protected, healthy and selfsufficient. While the region s shelter system provides critical services to the homeless, shelters should be used as a last resort and as briefly as possible by homeless families with young children. Families are currently the fastest-growing homeless group. That s why United Way uses a successful national model to prevent family homelessness and quickly divert those who lose their homes from shelters into housing. 744 families were served in United Way s housing programs in fiscal year And we won t stop there. By providing families with the support and resources they need to build financial security, we continue to strengthen communities across central Maryland one family at a time.

6 KEVIN S STORY When a Child Fears Becoming Homeless Kevin, a young student at Henderson-Hopkins School in East Baltimore, was afraid. His mother is a hard-working and conscientious parent, caring for both her children and her father stricken with liver cancer. Despite working full-time, she had accumulated unpaid bills and her family was facing eviction. Kevin approached Marybeth, a United Way case manager based at the school. He told her he was worried about being evicted from his home, fearful of what would happen to his grandfather if his mother could not take care of him and, most of all, afraid of the prospect of living on the streets, in a shelter, or having his family split up. Marybeth quickly enrolled Kevin s family in United Way s Family Stability Program, which operates out of the school, and developed a plan to keep them in their home. Kevin s mom cried when she heard the news she couldn t believe United Way had programs that could help in real time. United Way s Family Stability programs, operating in 12 high-need neighborhoods in Baltimore City and surrounding counties, are helping hundreds of children like Kevin stay in their homes, free from the worry of homelessness that no child should face.

7 EMPLOYMENT Workforce development and financial education are pressing needs. The root cause for why many families are struggling is tied to lack of job skills and financial literacy. Employment programs provide people with opportunities to obtain or improve employment and income through job readiness training, GED instruction, employment skills training and career mentoring. During fiscal year 2016, 432 people gained or improved jobs as a result of employment services received. $12.16 is the average hourly wage for individuals who secured jobs through United Way employment programs.

8 SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED Program Helps Veterans with Re-entry to Job Market Many who have served active duty in the military have difficulty navigating the transition to civilian life. In fact, one of the most common struggles returning veterans face is finding and keeping a job. The Veterans Treatment Docket (VTD), coordinated by United Way, was introduced in fiscal year 2016 and provides area veterans the help they need to get back on their feet and re-enter the work force. For veterans, a record of a misdemeanor charge is often a barrier to employment. VTD clients are identified by the Baltimore City District Court and Judge Halee Weinstein, who spearheads the program. Veterans are assisted with employment opportunities through various partner agencies who work with the participants on job training, coaching and placement. The VTD also provides support and guidance for mental health needs, substance abuse, counseling and other services. According to United Way s VTD program coordinator Jamie Meyers, Vets in the program often have access to services they re not aware of, and we help coordinate a treatment plan to move them more swiftly toward self-sufficiency and a more stable life. *This project is supported by a grant from the Maryland Judiciary s Office of Problem Solving Courts.

9 HEALTH United Way of Central Maryland fights hunger by providing healthy food and access to healthcare to our neighbors in need, while also addressing broader community health issues. 4.9 million pounds of food (4.1 million meals) distributed to low-income families. Harvest Helper volunteers gleaned and harvested over 280,000 pounds of produce from local farms for distribution to food pantries and those in need. Through United Way s Harvest of Plenty program, 4,000 Thanksgiving meals were distributed to low-income families. More than 60 volunteers and 30 partner organizations supported the program by handling phone calls and packing and distributing meals. *All data in fiscal year 2016.

10 GREENS FOR GOOD Harvesting Vegetables for Those in Need When you re on a fixed income or barely able to make ends meet, being able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables seems out of reach. That s why volunteers from United Way of Central Maryland, Target in Annapolis, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and a local church all came together at First Fruits Farm to harvest kale and collard greens. The result: pound bags over three tons of nutritious kale and collard greens harvested to feed hungry families. You re going to get hot and tired, one of the First Fruits Farm lead volunteers told the group. When you do, just remember who you are helping. This lead volunteer shared a story about passing out bags of potatoes at a recent festival and helping a woman carry the bag back to her car. When he got there, it was obvious that this woman and her daughter were living in their car. The woman told him those potatoes were the only food they had that day. Since 2004, the farm and its volunteers have provided nearly eight million pounds of fresh produce to hungry people living in our communities. First Fruits Farm is a valued partner, helping United Way improve community health.

11 2-1-1 MARYLAND HELPLINE The Maryland United Way Helpline provides individuals and families with one easy-to-remember phone number for help with housing, food, healthcare, utility assistance resources and more. 104,941 calls answered in fiscal year 2016 (33% increase since 2013). 14,855 calls for help with tax preparation; $15.4 million in refunds, including $4.5 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds through the Baltimore CASH campaign and its coalition partners. Top 5 Caller Needs in Fiscal Year ,815 calls for utility assistance 21,878 calls for housing assistance 19,603 calls for tax preparation/legal assistance 14,780 calls for family and individual support services 11,614 calls for food assistance A special thanks to our sponsors:

12 ALICIA S STORY With the Help of Pregnant with her fourth child when she received an eviction notice last summer, Alicia didn t know where to turn for help until she heard about the Maryland United Way Helpline. Her call to led to her acceptance into a United Way Homelessness Prevention program, where Alicia was paired with a case manager who worked with her to map out a plan for regaining stability in her life. First on the list: create and stick to a monthly budget. With a budget in place, the next step was to help Alicia find an affordable home for her growing family. Because things like a security deposit and moving costs can put new housing out of reach for many, United Way s Homelessness Prevention program provided financial assistance to make a new apartment possible for the family. With the help of her program case manager, Alicia remains employed, stably housed and her children are progressing academically and socially.

13 FINANCIAL REPORT FY 2016 Annual Report FUNDS SUPPORTED FUNDS RAISED FY 2016 ( 000) FY 2015 ( 000) Program Support $30,991 1, $34,241 $32,330 2,119 1,552 1,352 $37,353 Pledges and contributions, net of uncollectible Grant income Other revenue Community initiatives Total Funds Raised Pledges and contributions, net of uncollectible Other revenue Grant income Community initiatives Total Funds Raised FY 2016 ( 000) FY 2015 ( 000) Allocations and other distributions $4,318 $5,299 Donor designations 17,700 18,030 Grant expense 2,710 2,886 Program services 3,532 2, Maryland United Way Helpline 1,376 1,303 United Way Worldwide membership investment Total Program Support $29,797 $30,505 Support Services Administration support $1,909 $1,778 Development support 5,226 5,019 United Way Worldwide membership investment Total Support Services $7,310 $6,960 United Way of Central Maryland, as a federation, honors designations made to each member organization by distributing receipts based on donor designations to each member, and as fiscal agent, to certain other nonprofit organizations. United Way does not charge membership or application fees to any agency in order to receive such designations.

14 FINANCIAL REPORT FY 2016 Annual Report Balance Sheet Assets As of June 30, 2016 ( 000) As of June 30, 2015 ( 000) Cash and cash equivalents $4,408 $5,291 Pledges receivable (net of provision for uncollectible) 13,537 15,651 Prepaid expenses and other assets Investments - at market 15,965 16,947 Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation) Charitable trust 1,925 2,030 Total Assets $36,879 $41,142 Liabilities Allocations and other distributions payable $2,688 $2,901 Designations payable 11,317 12,219 Accounts payable and accrued expenses Retirement benefits - related payable 1,234 1, Total Liabilities $15,393 $16,789 Net Assets Unrestricted net assets $14,718 $18,124 Temporarily restricted net assets 5,775 5,236 Permanently restricted net assets Total Net Assets $21,486 $24,353 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $36,879 $41,142 Full financial statements are available by contacting United Way of Central Maryland at