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2008-2009 ANNUAL REPORT

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Phil Cajka, incoming Board Chair for 2009, Thom Mandel, United Way Board of Directors Chair and Bob Kulinski, President, United Way of Summit County visit with children at a YMCA Child Care facility. The YMCA Pre-School & School Age Child Care programs are funded in part by your contributions to United Way of Summit County.

DEAR FRIENDS,

As we look back over the twelve months, since we began our 90th Anniversary Celebration, we are struck by the changes that face our constituents. We are witnessing unprecedented economic and social upheaval, and we are seeing many of our friends lose long time employment. Many new people are requesting services from the agencies supported by this United Way. Unemployment in Summit County has risen from 6.2% last year, to 9.3% this past January. Job losses have hit area non-profit organizations particularly hard, reducing their service capacity at the precise moment that need for their programs is increasing to record levels. The reduced demand for durable goods and the drastic erosion in the value of stock portfolios has caused businesses, foundations, and individuals to cut back on their philanthropic giving.

Through all this turmoil and uncertainty, our community has mobilized and responded to help individuals and families get back on the road to recovery. Our 2008 campaign is near the top of any list of community achievements. We are extremely grateful to United Way/Red Cross campaign chair Theresa Carter, her volunteers and our staff, for leading this effort that raised as much money as we did a year ago, at a time when surrounding Ohio communities have raised millions less than in the previous year.

To meet the critical need for basic services, our Board has set aside $450,000 to fund crucial programs that will maintain financial services for families, provide utility assistance payments, and keep our children equipped and ready for school. These funds are being allocated through an open process that will identify the most effective service providers that can provide this vital help. We have also taken major steps to reduce United Way expenses, and maximize funds available for services.

We are making great strides in Community Impact. Born LearningTM and the Felony Re-Entry program are reaching a degree of maturity, and Imagination Library is gaining traction. Our prototype Neighborhood Leadership Institute promises to be an exciting and valuable collaborative program for Summit County.

Going forward we will continue to help our affiliated agencies do more of what they do and do it better, while advancing our common good by focusing on education, income and health in our community.

With sincere regret, we say farewell to our Board Members who are leaving due to term limits. Dave Brockman, Bill Considine, Tim McEldowney, Kevin McMullen, Luis Proenza, John Staudt, Brian Thomas, Chuck Victor and Ted Walter have all been valuable assets to this United Way. They are leaders who have been at the forefront of increasing resources, developing collaborative partnerships for our community, managing and allocating financial and human resources, and advocating and working for a better Summit County and Northeast Ohio.

Finally, our thanks and gratitude go out to our affiliated agencies and our grant agency recipients for the selfless and heroic service that they provide, to individuals and families in our community during these tough times.

Summit County is a far better place because of their efforts.

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