Annual | United Way of Racine County

2017 Annual Report

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

Rodney Prunty

Let me start by saying THANK YOU. In 2017, United Way of Racine County celebrated its 95th anniversary and what a special celebration it was.
Through our annual fundraising campaign, we raised the second largest amount in our history: $5,350,000. However, we could not have done it without all the great corporate partners, generous donors, tireless volunteers, and everyone else who was gracious enough to lend their time and support to our organization.

As you may already be aware, we have transitioned from a fundraising organization to an organization that focuses on impact, measurable outcomes, and positive community change.

We create impact because of the fundraising we do. Fundraising is the means; improving lives is the end. Both are equally important. Our strategic focus of Building an Educated Workforce helps achieve that end.

As we continue to execute our strategic plan, we’re beginning to see the results that we’d hoped to see in our fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community.
In Health, by collaborating with community partners we engaged hundreds of people through special events and other efforts focused on mental health and recovery.

In Education, the LIFT strategy implemented at the Knapp Community School is changing a neighborhood one student at a time by providing after-school programming that helps improve academic achievement and reduce disciplinary referrals.

In Financial Stability, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helped Racine County residents claim valuable tax credits that are an important resource to help them become financially stable.

These are examples of real impact and the true measure of our success as an organization. While we know there’s more work to be done, we are proud of what we have accomplished thus far.

Each year, our Annual Report is a chance to highlight the spectacular efforts we all made together toward our goal of Building an Educated Workforce in Racine County. You’ll notice this year’s report is a little different.

I hope you enjoy it and remember, we have one life, to live better we must LIVE UNITED.

RODNEY PRUNTY
PRESIDENT & CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICER

UNITED WE FIGHT

United Way of Racine County fights for the health, education, adn financial stability of every person in our community. United we build an educated workforce in Racine County. No matter the obtacles. No matter the odds. We surround the community's most critical problems and we fight. Because change doesn't happen alone. Hope isn't a one-man band. And there's no such thing as self taught or self made. We have one life. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED.

OUR IMPACT

600+ hours of after-school programming provided.

Knapp Community School

3,600+ hours of tutoring provided by 161 tutors to 105 students in the Racine Unified School District.

Schools of Hope

40,639 books mailed to Racine County children.

Imagination Library

$564,931 in tax refunds returned to community.

VITA

$400,000+ saved on prescription medication.

FamilyWize

24,374 calls for services in Racine County.

Impact 2-1-1

$5,700+ in grants to youth-led community service projects.

Youth As Resources

New in 2017. Learn how we're helping local veterans.

Veterans Initiative

New in 2017. Learn how we're helping local middle schoolers.

NFL Character Playbook

Impact Stories: Health

IMPACT STORIES: HEALTH

Will Anderson is an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with Congenital Cerebellar Hypoplasia, or "small cerebellum." This causes motor skill and cognitive delays. For three years, Will has attended Camp Kinder, a youth summer camp organized through RADD that provides activities for disabled youth ...

IMPACT STORIES: EDUCATION

Chiquita is a wonderful example of giving a hand up and giving back. Chiquita is a single mother who was worn out by her daily commute from Waukegan to Racine. She needed a job near her home and family - which she found at Knapp Elementary, the community school her two children attend.

IMPACT STORIES: FINANCIAL STABILITY

David is a veterna who had his taxes filed with the help of United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. His participation in VITA sparked a conversation betwen United Way and Veteran's Outreach, which partnered to bring financial literacy classes and a VITA site to the residents of Veteran's Outreach, where David works ...

OUR HISTORY

In 2017, United Way of Racine County celebrated 95 years of working to create postive change throughout our community. Here is a brief look back at United Way's history in Racine County. We look forward to coninuning our impact work as we build an educated workforce in Racine County.