Home > Results > Success Stories

Success Stories

Here are just some of the many success stories that result from your contribution to United Way. Dollars given to United Way of East Central Iowa's Community Impact Fund are distributed to programs that meet our communities' most pressing needs. These programs address three key areas: Strengthening Children & Youth; Strengthening Families; and Strengthening Connections.

Strengthening Children and Youth

Waypoint Child Care August 10, 2007 Julie, a single mother of two, works full-time but sometimes the family lives paycheck to paycheck. Her previous childcare provider strained Julie’s resources and more importantly, she knew her children weren’t receiving quality care.

Young Parents Network August 10, 2007 Kelly is a young mother of 4 year-old, Sam. Kelly has cerebral palsy which has resulted in having limited use of one side of her body. She has worked very hard at keeping her son safe and wants the best for him.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters August 10, 2007 Emily was matched with her big sister, Carol, in 1998. With the absence of Emily’s father, Emily needed caring friends whom she could trust and learn to share feelings. Time spent with Carol helped her grow.

Salvation Army August 10, 2007 Maria and her children moved from Chicago so she could attend Kirkwood Community College. She called the Salvation Army and inquired about its Summer Day Camp program because she needed childcare for the summer while she continued her studies.

---

Strengthening Families

Aging Services August 10, 2007 George is 75 years old and he lives alone. He suffers from bipolar disorder. His closest living relative is his sister in California.

The Arc August 10, 2007 Renee was going through a difficult divorce while working full-time and being the sole parent to her 10 year-old-daughter, Sarah. Being a single parent had its own difficulties, but added to Renee’s stress was Sarah’s difficult behavior.

Safe Place August 10, 2007 Steve came to Safe Place with a long history of alcohol abuse, homelessness, unemployment and poverty.

Witwer Center August 10, 2007 Tom and his wife weren’t comfortable with his mom, 93, and his aunt, 94, living on their own in Pennsylvania. Three years ago, Tom and his wife brought the two to live with them in Cedar Rapids.

---

Strengthening Connections

United Way 2-1-1 August 10, 2007 Jeff never thought it would happen to him: He lost his job. He, his wife and two children were evicted and didn’t think they had any place to turn.

American Red Cross August 10, 2007 A family of eight in Urbana was totally displaced by a fire that occurred in their home. The American Red Cross responded by putting the family in a hotel and providing food, clothing, blankets and toys for the children.

Waypoint August 10, 2007 A single mother of five, Amy was struggling to support her family after losing a job and going through depression. When she applied for food assistance, a mandatory blood test revealed that her two year-old son, was suffering lead poisoning.

NTS August 10, 2007 Mark, who relied on his own car to get to his job in Marion, found himself stranded when his car broke down. His car needed over $2,000 in repairs, which he could not afford at the time.

Related Links Strengthening Children and Youth Strengthening Families Strengthening Connections

Note: These stories are real submissions from United Way partner agencies. To protect the privacy of persons in these stories, photos and/or names may be changed at the discretion of United Way and its partner agencies.