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2008-2009 ANNUAL REPORT |
PAGE 3 |
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. |
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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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