2023-2024 Community Impact Report by CVUW

Photo by Elliot Tensen

ALETTER FROMOUR PRESIDENT

DEBBIEROTH President

As I mark the end of my second year as President and CEO of Cedar Valley United Way, I am struck by what an incredible experience it is to be a part of the caring power of our community You have contributed so much to our success over the past year, and I want to share encouraging news from the work you made possible

2023 brought us many successes as we partnered with UWI to gather new research and data around our ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) population We created space to listen to those receiving UW funded services and to learn from their experiences through focus group conversations We sought to provide holistic approaches to the highest priority needs in the Valley

The most exciting news is the number of lives you’ve changed through better access to health, financial stability and education opportunities. 8,253 residents were provided with housing supports ranging from short term, crisis assistance, to case management, to long-term financial literacy and skillbuilding opportunities for those working towards permanent housing. 5,576 individuals overcame barriers to accessing mental health supports; 3,275 accessed individual therapy sessions, 1,349 received crisis intervention services, and 2,347 reported performing better in school or work. 952 individuals were connected with local resources through the 211 helpline.

We now look forward to our 2024-2025 vision of engaging those we serve and connecting the community to make a positive impact in the lives of the most vulnerable populations in the Cedar Valley. We know can do this, because we have an incredible community ready to work with us.

With Gratitude,

COMMUNITYIMPACT

Throughout the past year, I've had the privilege of collaborating with so many of the incredible individuals who contribute to making the Cedar Valley a wonderful place to live This collaboration has involved funded partners, members of our Community Impact Teams, focus group participants, campaign leaders, and legislators. I've also had the honor of meeting numerous emerging non-profit leaders who are dedicated to creating change with an intentional focus on equity. A common thread running through all of these interactions is the understanding that sustainable, communitywide change cannot be achieved by a single person or organization alone It necessitates collective, united efforts Being part of an organization that strategically directs community investments towards addressing the most crucial needs in the Cedar Valley is truly such an honor I look forward to the year ahead as we collaborate with both new and existing organizations to continue amplifying our collective impact on the Cedar Valley.

NILVIAREYES RODRIGUEZ Director of Community Impact and Engagement

INVESTMENTS

Donor Designations - $114,745

Community Data Management Project - $25,000

Books for Babies - $10,000

WHATTHEDATA TELLSUS

Cedar Valley United Way undertakes independent data and research initiatives to identify and emphasize the specific needs and opportunities within our community. These findings are shared across the network to aid in developing programs that best meet the needs of the Cedar Valley and the human services sector. Our dedicated Data Team collects and presents data to our internal Community Impact Team members (CIT’s), sourced from local data provided by various entities Additionally, this year, we conducted focus groups during the summer, providing valuable insights into the current needs of the most vulnerable community members

The information gathered from these focus groups has been instrumental in shaping our strategic priorities and ensuring our efforts are aligned with the real-world challenges faced by individuals and families in Cedar Valley. By engaging directly with community members, we gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and perspectives, which informs our decision-making processes and enhances the effectiveness of our work and investments

As we look to the future, Cedar Valley United Way remains steadfast in our dedication to leveraging data-driven insights to drive impactful solutions. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Community Impact Team Members Visit the ACE-SAP Free Clinic

INVESTINGINALICE

Cedar Valley United Way is proud to partner with United Ways of Iowa and United for ALICE to drive research and action around financial hardship for ALICE households. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE families and individuals are those who make more than the federal poverty level, but less than the ALICE Threshold, which is what is needed to afford the basic necessities of food, housing, childcare, transportation and healthcare We meet ALICE individuals each and every day These hardworking individuals and families live paycheck to paycheck with no extra money to set aside for savings One unexpected car repair bill or medical bill can push these financially burdened families over the edge ALICE households span all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, though households of color are disproportionately ALICE

The future success of our communities is directly tied to the upward mobility of these fragile ALICE households. That is why Cedar Valley United Way is helping families become financially stable and independent by investing in programs with proven strategies to help families improve their economic well-being Our approach is to build family well-being by working with children and adults across the spectrum of Health, Education, and Financial Stability needs to create multi-generational economic prosperity 82%

ALICE Household Survival Budget for Family of 4 $61,308

of families in Black Hawk County live at or below the ALICE threshold 43%

Female-headed Single Parent households in Black Hawk County are ALICE 56%

Children age 3-4 in ALICE households are not enrolled in preschool

COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT

In the summer of 2023, Cedar Valley United Way conducted Focus Groups to better understand the needs of our community, evaluate our impact, and stay engaged with those we serve. Our primary goal is to bring lasting change to the Cedar Valley by focusing on the building blocks of a good quality of life. We thus decided to focus first on the community’s own perceptions of what it would mean to have a “good quality of life” in the Cedar Valley Participants were recruited in collaboration with CVUW-funded partners The attendees, who were current or past participants in 31 different programs, took part in four 2-hour sessions held at CVUW and Jesse Cosby Center During these sessions, participants were provided with meals, grocery gift cards, and childcare support.

WHATDOESITMEANTOHAVEAGOODQUALITYOFLIFE?

Health:

An ability to physically participate in the activities of life was valuable for a good quality of life, with transportation, the cost of medications and services, culturally inappropriate service, and racial discrimination named as barriers to physical health Mental health was named far more often as a critical element of a good quality of life, defined explicitly as having good decision-making and healthy coping skills within a family setting

Education:

Education was seen as a steppingstone toward a good quality of life as well as a resource that might not be available without having a generally stable life with transportation, childcare or regular meals.

Financial Stability:

A good quality of life was described as the consistent ability to meet a family’s needs without worry The alternative was “ a state of worry” that included stress, an inability to plan a future, and a sense of being trapped

WHATBARRIERSEXIST?

Inclusion: The need for culturally appropriate resources was often mentioned across the three strategies. This highlighted a need to be able to identify underlying cultural barriers that might prevent access or success

Transportation: Transportation has long been identified as a community characteristic that presents barriers to those without resources or ability to own a private car Buses were typically identified as the only alternative, with both the time required and a lack of service cited as major barriers.

Community Safety: Participants consistently named a sense of community and a supportive, pleasant, safe neighborhood as critical to having a good quality of life. The key aspect highlighted was trustworthy organizations offering support, advice, and companionship, alongside essential infrastructure like parks, safe housing, and clean water 3.

Program Awareness: The importance of community awareness of programs came up in all groups, either as a matter of making programs more accessible or as a means of spreading resources more widely, with fewer overlaps and more efficiency.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone that participated in these discussions, generously sharing their time, experiences, and insights. Their contributions are invaluable in helping us understand the community’s needs and guiding our efforts to create long-lasting change and a better quality of life for everyone in our community

As we look to the future, our intent is to continue these Focus Groups and facilitate community conversations every two years, ensuring we continue to give a voice to our community.

EQUITYINACTION

CVUW prioritizes equity in policies and partnerships By engaging with the community, we are able to identify and address barriers to program access By actively listening to the needs of our community members, we have implemented new strategies to address these barriers. We are broadening grant-making inclusivity and capacitybuilding efforts in order to best respond to community needs This dedication to equity is at the core of our mission, as we strive for a more equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

EFFORTS

SOCIALINNOVATION

Cedar Valley United Way offers social innovation investment funds to tackle systemic poverty by supporting new, collaborative, and innovative initiatives. This funding focuses on transformative solutions with potential for lasting impact, supporting new ideas and programs to combat poverty and promote equity and community collaboration in the Cedar Valley

In 2023, Cedar Valley United Way is proud to have completed our final year in a three-year commitment to developing the We Can! Parent Partner Project in collaboration with UNI’s Center for Educational Transformation The program aimed to culturally tailor a trauma-informed program for the Waterloo Community School District and develop a parent-focused initiative to reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and increase community resilience and healing

This year, we are excited to support One Cedar Valley’s Road Home project. Road Home was created to aid justice-impacted individuals in successful reentry, reducing poverty cycles and recidivism The 16-step life skills program aims to enhance lives through education, exposure, assessment, mentorship, and community resources Road Home seeks to lower recidivism through holistic reentry services, with post-incarceration programs showing a 30% reduction in recidivism. The initiative aims to boost equity, reduce recidivism, lower unemployment rates for marginalized communities, and meet workforce needs in the Cedar Valley over the next three to five years.

Interested in learning more about our Social Innovation work? Visit CedarValleyUnitedWay org/SocialInnovation

The Road Home Project Support

FOCUS AREAS

HEALTH

Supporting health equity in communities is vital for overall well-being Cedar Valley United Way focuses on improving health outcomes through a range of programs targeting h to end of life. We invest in tives promoting mental and maternal and infant health, e and child and elder abuse m to reduce health barriers, nd empower individuals to d partners offer a continuum treatment, tackling the most r community

1in4

individuals faces a mental health challenge

EDUCATION

education leads to greater out a person's life, making poverty Cedar Valley United community programs to hildhood through adulthood y-building in early childhood ms, learning and leadership academic achievement. We onal approach to enhance and adults achieve success

68.7% of 3rd graders in Black Hawk County read proficiently compared to 75.6% of 3rd grade students in Iowa.

Books for Babies Delivery to UnityPoint HealthAllen Hospital

FINANCIALSTABILITY

Financial stability is crucial for quality of life, but many in the Cedar Valley struggle to make ends meet due to low wages and systemic inequities Cedar Valley United Way is helping families become financially stable and independent by investing in programs with proven strategies to help families improve their economic wellbeing Our approach is to build family well-being by investing in programs focusing on job training, overcoming barriers to family-sustaining wages, encouraging savings as a financial safety net, and services that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for those seeking a place to call home.

50%&69% of ALICE homeowners and renters are costburdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their gross income on housing.

EMERGENCY&BASIC NEEDS

Food Shelter Safety Transportation It is easy to take these essentials for granted, but for many people, these basic needs are in critically short supply or non-existent It is vital for any community to have a safety net of programs that provide for short term and immediate needs Through our Emergency and Basic Needs investments, we extend aid to the most vulnerable members of our community These investments cover essential areas such as food, shelter, rental & utility assistance, and the removal of immediate obstacles to safety or employment These services often serve as lifesaving interventions that make a critical difference for individuals in crisis Cedar Valley United Way recognizes the significance of helping those in immediate need survive today so they can thrive tomorrow

43% of Black Hawk County households can’t afford basic needs.

Socktober Sock Delivery to The Salvation Army (Along with House of Hope and Together for Youth)

STORIESOF IMPACT

GROWINGMINDS

Child Care Scholarships are provided to program participants based on family size and income using a sliding fee scale Because we were able to give this mother the United Way Scholarship, she was able to leave an abusive relationship, get her own place, and find a job Mom is doing so much better now and has even been able to obtain a vehicle to bring her son to school and to go to work, which is something she would not have been able to do without her discount

Removing Childcare as a Barrier To Work For Low-Income Families

A patient since September 2023 was hospitalized for psychosis They experienced homelessness, unemployment, financial problems, and served jail time due to underlying, untreated mental health issues Thanks to the Care Coordinator placed in the hospital setting, they are now connected with the services they need including receiving a long-acting injectable medication and routine medication appointments Outreach staff assists with transporting them to these appointments They were referred to and completed the Momentum program for job and life skills training and are more familiar with community resources in the Waterloo area. Their mental health has improved significantly and they have reunited with their family. This is only one of many examples of how BHGMHC is able to provide these critical, life changing services through positions supported by Cedar Valley United Way funding

THANKYOU.

Learn about our work, mission and more by visiting our website, www.CedarValleyUnitedWay.org.

Whether you are looking to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about our programs and initiatives, you will find a wealth of information on our website

Or learn how you can become a sponsor of one of our fantastic events to the right We would love to have you on board! Your support will help us continue our important work and create a positive impact in the lives of those in need Together, we can build a stronger, more United community. Thank you for your support!