6 minute read
Community Impact
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Through United Way support, Avita Community Partners held Coping Skills Group Therapy Sessions in 2018 on a weekly basis with an average attendance of 9 clients per session. Avita also provided counseling for seniors and caregivers through United Way Support.
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STUFF THE BUS
Collected school supplies for The Place, Forsyth County Schools and local agencies through Publix Supermarket’s School Tools Program as well as from Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Scientific Games, and other local businesses, civic organizations and individuals. Over 59,000 school supply items were collected to benefit students and classrooms during the 2018-19 school year. United Way also provided school supplies for distribution to Forsyth County students, families and teachers through Holiday House.
SUMMER OUTREACH PROGRAM
Provided school supplies for Forsyth Central High School’s Summer Outreach program.
TRANSITION SERVICES
With support from United Way, Creative Enterprises-Forsyth provided 46 adults with disabilities the services and programs needed to help them achieve their optimal level of social, vocational and economic independence. Creative Enterprises-Forsyth continues to use the van transferred to them by United Way to transport clients to community outings and events.
SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Provided funding for adaptive playground equipment for students attending Forsyth County School’s iFOCUS Center, serving students kindergarten through 12th grade with autism and other developmental disabilities who were not making progress in their specialized instructions classrooms due to behavioral issues and were in need of specialized supports to be successful.
TRANSPORTATION
Supported North Forsyth High School’s Raider Ride and Forsyth Central High School’s Central Cruisers during the 2017-18 school year. Approximately 75 students participated in these programs providing after-school transportation for students in need of tutoring and allowing them to participate in after-school activities such as clubs, athletics and ROTC.
TAX PREPARATION
Hosted an AARP Foundation Tax Aide free tax preparation site at the United Way Office. 383 tax returns were prepared, with the total amount refunded of $254,838 in federal returns and $67,253 from state. AARP volunteers logged over 680 volunteer hours during 18 tax preparation sessions.
CHARITY TRACKER
Continued to support the Forsyth County Collaborative on Charity Tracker for data and resource sharing between nonprofits. The Place continues to utilize Charity Tracker as their sole means of data collection including data collection for holiday gifting. Currently have 20-member agencies and 32 agents in the Collaborative.
FORSYTH COUNTY DRUG AWARENESS COUNCIL
United Way acts as fiscal agent for a federal grant which created the Council. The Council is committed to education, advocating and empowering the community to prevent substance abuse across the life-span in Forsyth County. 9
United Way of Forsyth County continues to offer an easy to remember number that connects people to the resources they need to address everyday challenges of living and those that develop during times of community emergencies, as well as volunteer opportunities. Over 3,500 English Helplists and 1,500 Spanish Helplists were distributed throughout the community in 2018.
In 2018: REFERRALS 1,079
• Dial 2-1-1 from any phone to
speak with a contact center specialist. Trouble Connecting?
Dial 404-614-1000
Top Referrals: REFERRALS FOR MAKING DONATIONS (CLOTHING, FURNITURE, ETC.) 380 (35.22%) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING/COMMUNITY SHELTER ASSISTANCE 91 (8.43%) FOOD ASSISTANCE 89 (8.25%) MORTGAGE/RENT PAYMENT ASSISTANCE 83 (7.69%) ELECTRICITY/GAS PAYMENT ASSISTANCE 32 (2.97%)
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BIZ TOWN AND FINANCIAL PARK
Within the new Alliance Academy resides the Junior Achievement BizTown and Financial Park, a simulated town that allows middle school students to explore industries and careers through immersive simulations and acquire foundational knowledge for real world experiences.
The philanthropy store is operated by United Way of Forsyth County, North Georgia Community Foundation and United Way of Hall County.
BEHAVIOR & MENTAL WELLNESS SERVICES
In collaboration with Forsyth County Schools, United Way of Forsyth County is investing in our students’ overall health by providing funding for on-site therapeutic services for students when costs are more than the family can afford. Additionally, we provide funding to support a program addressing bullying, substance abuse and suicide prevention.
TOILETRY/HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Partnered with UPS and other local civic organizations & individuals to provide toiletry and household items to school social workers and community organizations for distribution to those in need.
MORNING TUTORING PROGRAM
Partnered with Rotary Club of North Forsyth-400 to support Little Mill Middle School’s morning tutoring program, The Breakfast Club, by supplying PopTarts as incentives. Over 2,608 student encounters were reported with approximately 171 students served through this program during the 2017-18 school year.
Partnered with Cumming Post Office for the 2018 NALC Food Drive on May 11th and 12th. United Way provided mail carriers with 40,000 flyers to distribute to residents in zip codes 30028, 30040 and 30041 announcing the event. An estimated 15,000 pounds of food was collected over the 2-day period. With the assistance of volunteers from Hightower Baptist Association’s Food and Clothing Bank, the food collected was picked up from the Cumming Post Office and Lanier Annex and delivered to United Way of Forsyth County. The food was in turn distributed to 6 local food pantries/programs.
SUMMER AND SCHOOL BREAK FEEDING PROGRAM
Collected peanut butter, jelly and kid-friendly meals and snacks from local businesses, civic organizations and individuals to support MSG Foundation’s Summer and School Break Feeding Program. Over 15,800 lunches were supplied through the program.
CHARITY NAVIGATOR
United Way received our second consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. That means we've taken steps to be accountable, transparent, & financially healthy! Only 31% of the charities evaluated have received at least 2 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that United Way of Forsyth County outperforms most other charities in America.
DAY OF CARING
Through United Way’s 17th Annual Day of Caring, 165,000 meals were packaged by approximately 843 volunteers at two packaging locations - 573 at the Forsyth Conference Center and 270 at Cumming City Park. Meals packaged through the event were distributed to 8 local food pantries/programs to be available to clients through their food distribution programs. An additional 123 volunteers participated in projects at 3 locations throughout the County.
VOLUNTEERISM
Supported Piney Grove Middle School’s G-3 Day and DeSana Middle School’s Day of Good Deeds by providing transportation for students, staff and parents to and from volunteer opportunities in the community. Also provided other volunteer opportunities through Youth Leadership Forsyth’s Class Day, Solvay Speciality Polymers Volunteer Day and events such as Day of Caring, Gobble Wobble 5K, Stuff the Bus and the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF LANIER-FORSYTH COUNTY CHAPTER
NEW for the 2018/19 school year, the club at Cumming Elementary had 112 students registered and an average attendance of 94 students.
Erwin, a 5th grade student joined the Boys & Girls Club in Forsyth County after a tragic incident happened within his family. He was dealing with emotional issues and showing negative behaviors. When Erwin became upset, he was able to call the Club director to talk about anything he wanted until he felt calm. Throughout the year, he needed the director less and less. Erwin became active in the Martial Arts Enrichment program and other activities. During the summer, he blossomed into a leader and discovered another talent during the Art Enrichment program! During his time at the Boys & Girls Club, he was able to process his emotions on his own. Club leaders enjoyed watching Erwin grow emotionally and commended him on his newly discovered leadership skills and confidence.
The Boys & Girls Clubs prepares every young person, like Erwin, with the skills and knowledge they need for a great future—to graduate from high school with a plan, inspire them to succeed, live a healthy lifestyle and become a leader in the community.
