ONE SIZE FITS ALL
2008 Annual Report
United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties 2010 Annual Report
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG. UNITED WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
2008 Annual Report
CONTENTS Message from the Board Chair and CEO Building Blocks for a Good Life >> Education >> Income >> Health Living United in Wayne County Advancing the Common Good : Department of Labor Participation
2 3-9 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11
Give. Advocate. Volunteer Community Impact: Fund Distribution Statements of Financial Position Our Mission, Board of Directors and Staff Impact Statements
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LIVE UNITED™
12-16 17 18 19 20
TWO WORDS. TWO COUNTIES.
ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
LIVE UNITED
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We invite everyone to LIVE UNITED and be part of the change in our community. Together, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
Dear Friends, Can a t-shirt change an entire community? As we reflect on another year of LIVING UNITED in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, we are inspired by the thousands of people who don’t just wear the LIVE UNITED shirt, but embrace the LIVE UNITED movement every day! We remain grateful for your continued support of—and faith in—the mission of our United Way. Since 1921, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has been focused on programs and special initiatives that improve the lives around us. With your help, our United Way continues to lead the way in creating collaborations and mobilizing partners toward long-lasting solutions to some of our region’s most serious and complex issues. Our community is as unique as the tapestry of individuals who comprise it. Yet, despite our differences we are united by the common desire to make our community better, stronger and healither... to ensure all children have the chance to be successful, that families in our region are financially stable and self-sufficient and that people of all ages enjoy good health and well-being. As a caring community, we are all interconnected—truly a one size fits all approach, particularly as it relates to the size of our community’s heart and the depth of its compassion. It is our firm belief that everyone has a stake in building a better future for all of us in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The LIVE UNITED movement is your invitation to join us, and we are so grateful that you have! Can a t-shirt change an entire community? With you it can!
Sincerely,
Frank Kincel Chair, Board of Directors
Gary W. Drapek President and CEO
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Why Education, Income and Health? The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties believes that EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH are essential for a good life for all of our residents. A quality education is critical to obtaining and keeping a job. Ideally, that job will provide enough income and health benefits to adequately support a family while helping them save for the future and be financially stable. Access to quality healthcare helps children succeed in school, adults be productive and old age be more of a golden age.
Building Blocks for a Good Life—and a Stronger Community »» »» »» »» »» »»
Helping children, youth and adults achieve full potential
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Quality Pre-K and after-school care Adaptive toys and technology for children with special needs Mentoring Youth Leadership Development Senior education programs Residential programs for pregnant women and new moms Pre-K to Kindergarten transition
With your help, the United Way supports critical programs with the following Partner Agencies to improve the education, income and health of our community:
American Red Cross of Lackawanna County The Arc of NEPA
»» »» Promoting financial »» »»
stability and independence
Health
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Catholic Social Services
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Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA
Child care assistance Emergency shelter program Emergency food, rent and energy assistance Residential program for families with domestic violence issues Services to military families Budget counseling Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Income
Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA
Day Nursery Association
»» »» »»
Education
Greater Carbondale YMCA
»» »» »» »» Improving physical »»
and mental health, safety and well-being for people of all ages
Blood donor services Dental services Medical help for the unemployed and underinsured Disaster preparedness Medical transportation Meal delivery for the homebound Counseling Community health programs
FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
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Greater Scranton YMCA Hemodialysis Patients’ Association of NEPA Jewish Community Center
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Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County Lackawanna Branch, PA Association for the Blind
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Meals On Wheels of NEPA, Inc. Northeastern PA Council, Boy Scouts of America
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Saint Joseph’s Center
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The Salvation Army
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Telespond Senior Services, Inc.
Voluntary Action Center of NEPA Women’s Resource Center, Inc.
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Serving Seniors, Inc.
United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA
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Scranton Primary Health Care Center, Inc.
United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA
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Please turn to pages 10-11 for information on the Wayne County grant recipients.
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A quality education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties remains committed to ensuring that people of all ages have access to quality education and life-long learning opportunities. In particular, we are privileged to work with parents, caregivers, school districts, leading child development experts, business leaders, legislators and more to ensure area children enter school ready to learn and prepared for success. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties believes all children deserve the very best start they can to help ensure future success. And as a community of caring people, we all win when children have the skills they need to ensure success in school which leads to success throughout life. This common-sense approach is validated by volumes of research from noted economists which indicate that for every $1 spent on early education, the return on the investment is up $17. This return is measured in crucial metrics such as lower crime rates, fewer teen pregnancies, better access to healthcare and stable employment. Through the Success By 6 program and a host of other special initiatives, grants, and partner agency programs, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is at the forefront in advocating for a quality education for all area young people and promoting active learning for a lifetime. Classroom Readers. Signifying their commitment to early care and education, policy makers, business leaders and community volunteers visited area classrooms on an ongoing basis throughout the year to read to young students. The guests read to children in Pre-K classes, Head Start and child care classrooms as part of an ongoing effort to showcase the importance of and value of early education.
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This year we were fortunate to partner with the PNC Executive Reading program which sends out five executives monthly to read at
transition activities for 900 children and their families.
various early care and education sites. Our partnership with PNC Bank has allowed this program to expand, benefiting many more young children. What Do You Wonder About Kindergarten? Success By 6 expanded upon its proven kindergarten transition program in the Old Forge, Carbondale Area, Dunmore, North Pocono, Riverside and Valley View school districts and added the Mid Valley School District in 2010. All children entering kindergarten received the individualized by district “What Do You Wonder About Kindergarten?” book, featuring full color photographs of the kindergarten teachers and other district faculty/staff such as the principal, nurse and cafeteria workers. Photographs of actual classrooms, the gym, restrooms and other key areas within each school help the young students feel more comfortable as they transition to kindergarten. With the assistance of a trained transition specialist and grant support from the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development, we were able to provide highly effective
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. Established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Pre-K Counts brings quality half day and full day pre-kindergarten to three and four year olds in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is an initiative to provide early learning experience to prepare young learners for kindergarten and school success. We continue to support this program by educating our policymakers and business community about the importance of this program. Fulfilling Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children. Success By 6 continued working with the state program—Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children—with a shared belief that every young child in Pennsylvania deserves the chance to succeed in school and life. For more information and to show your support of early education, please visit papromiseforchildren.com. PA One Book Success By 6 partnered with the Lackawanna County Children’s Library to celebrate this year’s PA One Book—a
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statewide early literacy initiative. Over 400 children participated and received a copy of “Whose Shoes? A Shoe for Every Job” for their home library. Keystone STARS. This voluntary initiative of the Department of Public Welfare seeks to ensure continuous quality improvement in child care centers. Lackawanna County boasts one of the highest enrollments in the state as 70.5 percent of our child care centers actively participate in Keystone STARS. This includes 15 “Star 4” sites—the highest rating possible. It’s Time to Register for Kindergarten To help ensure more children had access to all of the various transition activities, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and Success By 6 sponsored the first-ever community-wide “It’s Time to Register for Kindergarten” public awareness campaign. Using the registration information from 10 school districts, we developed posters and flyers listing all registration information and links back to the individual school districts across the
My faculty members were genuinely moved by these books and their ability to help make everyone and everything seem so warm and familiar to our incoming (kindergarten) students.
region. A poster and flyer in Spanish was also developed and shared with the Hispanic community with the help of our many partners. Staff members were invited to write guest posts on local parenting blogs and Lamar Advertising assisted with the outreach by donating electronic billboards, while WNEP-16 joined the effort with production of a public service announcement featuring morning news anchor Mindi Ramsey and her daughter’s kindergarten class. The donated air-time amounted to more than $28,000 of in-kind support.
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~ Judy Castrogiovanni Principal Jefferson Elementary Center North Pocono School Dist. Referring to the “What Do You Wonder About Kindergarten?” Books
Why Focus on Education? :: Early Childhood Learning Stats in Lackawanna County Family and community factors affect how well young children learn, leaving our community’s at-risk children behind. Research has shown that children affected by risk factors such as poverty, family status or poor school system are more likely to enter school behind their peers, struggle in school or drop out altogether. Risk factors like those listed below can hurt a child’s chances of doing well in school. Percentage of children under age five affected by select risk factors: Living in economically at-risk families, up to 300% of poverty Births to mothers without early prenatal care Births to mothers with less than a high school education
Lackawanna County 66.8% 18.9% 15.7%
PA 58.3% 20.4% 16.1%
In addition, less than half of children under the age of five in Lackawanna County participate in publicly-funded, quality early education programs. Furthermore, 21.5 percent of 3rd graders in Lackawanna County scored below proficient on the 2009 PSSA reading test, compared to the statewide average of 22.3 percent. Based on these findings, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and the Early Learning Program Reach and Risk Assessment have concluded that, currently, children are at Moderate-High risk of school failure in Lackawanna County.
FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
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Far too many hard-working families in our area are forced to walk a financial tightrope. Through our Financial Stability Partnership, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties promotes fiscal stability and economic independence through maximized income, increased savings, sound financial decision-making and budgeting and careful asset management for long-term stability. A mainstay of the United Way movement has long been to provide help to people with nowhere else to turn in times of crisis and dire need. Certainly, in these tough economic times, the United Way continues to work with our community partners to function as a safety net, helping to address emergency needs. During the last fiscal year, our United Way has either provided or is directly involved with the distribution of $889,507 to address basic, emergency needs such as food and shelter. Unfortunately, these funds are simply not enough to address some of the underlying issues at the root of these emergencies. Instead, the United Way is focusing on helping individuals and families gain a stronger fiscal foothold on the road to financial stability and economic independence. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Through a partnership with the University of Scranton and a number of other community organizations, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties provides free income tax preparation services for low to moderate income people. Taxes are prepared at no charge by University of Scranton Accounting students and IRS certified volunteers, specially trained to help the tax clients access all available benefits including the Earned Income Credit (EIC). Led by Joe Hammond and Dillon Colarossi, 32 tax preparers were trained and provided over 1,900 volunteer hours of tax preparation services in addition to the volunteer greeters who welcomed the tax clients and assisted with intake 6 paperwork. In addition,
the United Way secured a grant from the IRS for more than $28,000 to aid the program’s expansion with new equipment. Bolstered by these funds and the substantial increase in volunteer hours, additional dates and four new locations were added to the mobile expansion sites to accommodate a larger number of clients, including a larger expansion in Wayne County. During the past year, 1,510 returns were completed with $1,302,977 million being returned to the community including $405,636 in EIC dollars. In addition to the tax preparation services, financial education is provided with an optional program for more intensive help with budgeting and money management. This year approximately 30 clients requested this follow up service from Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania as another piece of the United Way’s overall Financial Stability Program. Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Through a grant from the IRS, the United Way now operates a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) to assist low-income individuals and those
who speak English as a Second Language (ESL) in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. As an LITC, we represent low-income taxpayers before the IRS in audits, EITC audits and certifications, collection issues and appeals as well as amendments to resolve controversy. Another important service will be outreach and educational workshops to taxpayers in our community who speak English as their second language about their rights and responsibilities as U.S. taxpayers. Family Savings Accounts. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties was awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) to help area families and individuals save up to $2,000 for an identified financial goal in the areas of education, transportation or housing. That savings is then matched up to an additional $2,000. Program participants must meet income guidelines, attain monthly savings goals and attend required financial education programs. The United Way was awarded an additional 25 slots from the PA DCED to expand the program. With the
Two successful savers (seated) in the Family Savings Account Program.
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
assistance of United Neighborhood Centers, currently there are 49 active savers in the program, and seven savers that have graduated by reaching the $2,000 level. Three savers used the funds to purchase vehicles; three others used theirs toward home repairs/ remodeling and one saver is opening a small business. Through an exceptional partnership with TR Associates, savers that reach the $500 mark of saving are eligible to purchase a refurbished computer through TR Associates for $50 from the saver, with $50 matched by the United Way. To date, there have been 18 savers who have benefited from this offer. Pre-K Tax Credits. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is committed to ensuring that all children in our community have the best chance for success in school and throughout their lives. As an approved Pre-K Scholarship Organization by the PA DCED, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties helped 164 children from income eligible families attend qualified pre-kindergarten programs as $308,500 in Pre-K tax credits was obtained from 18 area companies. We gratefully acknowledge the following organizations for their outstanding support of this program: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
AAA North Penn - Club Insurance Community Bank & Trust Co. The Dime Bank Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank First Liberty Bank & Trust First National Community Bank Gentex Corporation Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Hildebrandt Learning The Honesdale National Bank International Salt Co. M & T Bank Penn Security Bank & Trust Pennstar Bank PNC Bank, NA TMG Health, Inc. UGI Energy Services Inc. Wayne Bank
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This Pre-K Scholarship has been a gift to my daughter and me and has played a huge role in maintaining our financial stability. As a single mom in college, working hard to make a good life for the two of us, this program bridges the gap. ~ Mother of a preschool child helped by this program.
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PA 529 College Savings Plan Seminars. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties partnered with the PA Treasury to promote the PA 529 College Savings plan as a new addition to our Financial Stability program. Many families of all socioeconomic backgrounds cite saving for college as a financial priority, yet in the face of rising costs for even the most basic of necessities, those same families often struggle to set aside the much-needed resources. To begin addressing this issue, informational breakfast sessions were held at The Colonnade in Scranton and the Hotel Wayne in Honesdale for area employers and human resources professionals. The sessions sought to educate attendees about offering the PA 529 College Savings plan as part of their suite of employee benefits. Follow-up meetings, webinars, benefits fairs and more are planned. Gift of Warmth. Started in 2008 by United Way Board member Patrick McMahon, owner and president of OnePoint, the Gift of Warmth encourages local businesses to support the Emergency Heating Fund in lieu of holiday gifts and tokens of appreciation. Through the generosity of local foundations and many individual donors, our Gift of Warmth program was a great success and enabled us to utilize $65,000 to ensure the health and safety of area residents during the cold winter months. Six households received emergency furnace repairs or replacements while 119 families received assistance with heating emergencies.
Community Investment Council. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ Community Investment Council reviews special requests and awards grants to programs that serve unmet and emerging needs throughout the community. Grantees for the past year included: Interdependence Day support; Women’s Resource Center for Police Training; Lupus Foundation of NEPA for a Wellness Workshop and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA for the Housing Coalition of Lackawanna County. This particular grant facilitates the community-wide application process for federal funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist in providing services for the homeless population in Lackawanna County. This helps our county leverage $1.6 million for critical housing programs in our community.
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Even with a quality education and adequate income, those things fade quickly in importance without the good health, well-being and safety to enjoy them. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is committed to helping people of all ages have access to health related services and benefits to improve the physical, mental and dental health of our community as a whole. Strong, vibrant and healthy individuals and families are the cornerstone of every community.
Good physical and mental health is a basic need that impacts every aspect of one’s daily life. A child with a toothache has difficulty concentrating on her schoolwork. A family who loses health insurance finds themselves on the verge of bankruptcy when a serious illness strikes. A senior citizen without prescription assistance is often forced to choose between paying for his medication and food or other critical bills. Far too many of our friends and neighbors in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties experience the emptiness of not having enough quality, nutritious food to eat, and the debilitating worry about how to afford to put food on the table. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties understands that good health and well-being is a cornerstone for a healthy, productive life.
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available at the food pantries and distributed copies to the food pantry clientele. The professor and students worked to compile a list of suggested healthy food donations such as giving canned fruit in light syrup or natural juices instead of in heavy syrup or with added sugar and whole or multi-grain pastas and cereals as opposed to those made with refined grains. The information was then developed into a onepage flyer to be distributed to area companies as part of a community-wide food drive. Pre-K Family Nutrition Education. Through a grant provided by The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Success By 6 and the United Way partnered with all 12 Pre-K Counts classrooms and the Penn State Cooperative Extension to provide a nutrition program for these children and their parents. The nutrition education was provided on site at each of the Pre-K Counts classrooms with a total participation of180 children. Parents were engaged by participating in an innovative education program on site at local grocery stores, where they could learn about nutrition, economical shopping and then grocery shop with their new-found skills. Marywood Nutrition. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties partnered with the Marywood University Community Nutrition class on a new community health initiative. The students from this class worked at four food pantries to understand the economic, health and nutritional needs of the clients utilizing these facilities. They developed tasty, nutritious recipes using only ingredients
Hunger-Free Grant. The partnership between Marywood University and the United Way continued when the school was awarded a research grant to measure Hunger Insecurity (limited or uncertain access to nutritious, safe foods) in Lackawanna County. This grant was awarded by the US Department of Agriculture, and Marywood University was one of only 14 grantees in the nation. National statistics indicate that one out of every six adults—and one out of every four children—struggle with hunger. Here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, difficult economic times combined with high unemployment mean far too many local people simply don’t have enough to eat. As part of this grant, United Way was asked to serve as a key partner to assist in the development of a wide scale community plan to address the underlying issues leading to food insecurity for so many local individuals and families.
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
to 10 local organizations. Currently, the funding for the present year is on hold pending final local award determination.
Healthy Futures. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties continues to focus on the issues surrounding childhood obesity with the innovative Healthy Futures Program. It continued at five partner agencies—the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern PA, Jewish Community Center, Greater Carbondale YMCA, Greater Scranton YMCA and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA—where it was reviewed and funded through our Community Impact process.
FamilyWize Partnership. The goal of this community partnership is to reduce the cost of medicine for children, families and individuals with no prescription coverage by $100. FamilyWize cards are distributed free of charge nationwide by participating United Ways and community organizations. Our United Way is a collaborative partner and to date there have been 14,287 claims made in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with a total savings of $350,954 on these prescriptions. The average amount saved per prescription is around $25, well above the state average of $18.77.
Free Flu Shots. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties partnered with Target and Target Pharmacy to offer free flu vaccinations. Target provided more than 30,000 vouchers for free flu shots to 45 United Ways across the country, and our United Way obtained 500 to distribute throughout our region.
This program is targeted at combating childhood obesity by increasing the physical activity and nutritional knowledge of the children involved in the youth programs at these agencies. Throughout the year, 362 children participated in the Healthy Futures program at these five agencies. Eighty four percent met the goal of 60 minutes of physical activity at least three times per week. All children showed an increase in their nutritional knowledge. State Food Purchase Program. As local administrator of the State Food Purchase Program, the United Way leveraged $286,348 from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. These monies were awarded to 14 local organizations to assist area families with emergency food needs. Through this vital program, approximately 178,534 pounds of food was purchased and nearly 10,157 households received food. Emergency Food and Shelter Program. For more than 28 years, our United Way has served as the local administrator for the FEMA program which provides funds to supplement and extend current available resources for emergency needs including rent, food and energy assistance. During the last complete phase of the program, the local Emergency Food and Shelter Board— chaired by the United Way—awarded more than $129,000 in federal funds
FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
A HEALTHY COMMUNITY
IS A STRONG AND VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND PLAY.
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Wayne County Lives United! During the course of the past five years, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has distributed nearly $200,000 to more than a dozen community and human service organizations providing critical programs and services in Wayne County. Volunteers from throughout Wayne County have embraced this effort and joined together to improve the quality of life for all in this vibrant community of caring people. Annual Campaign. The Live United movement is gaining even greater momentum in Wayne County! The United Way campaign in Wayne County had a banner year in 2010, beginning with the second annual kick-off event at the Hotel Wayne, featuring award presentations to the grant recipients. The enthusiasm that followed led to the increased participation of numerous companies, employee groups and individuals. This excitement led to a 25 percent increase in giving over the previous year and raised the bar for even more success in subsequent campaigns. Pre-K Tax Credits. During the 2010 campaign, 18 area businesses—including The Dime Bank, Honesdale National Bank and Wayne Bank—made contributions to the United Way’s Pre-K Tax Credit Scholarship program. These funds allowed the United Way to assist 43 families and their children in Wayne County with scholarship assistance totaling $40,955—almost double what was provided the prior year. Educational Improvement Organization. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties was approved by the PA DCED as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) to help facilitate an advanced academic program that enhances the curriculum in a public school program.
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Two businesses contributed to United Way’s EIO program with funds totaling
participating United Ways, such as ours, and help reduce the cost of prescription medication. In Wayne County last year, 1,877 claims were made with a savings of $50,521.
$10,675. Due to the targeted nature of the funding, our program provided the Stock Market Game to middle school students in the Wallenpaupack Area School District. All students participating in the program did so voluntarily. Under the guidance of two teachers from Wallenpaupack Area School District, this module assisted the students in math, economics, language, research and critical thinking skills while building and maintaining a stock profile. All the student participants showed an increase in educational knowledge, with the first place finisher having a 64 percent rate of return. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. This marked the second year of expansion into Wayne County for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partnership with the University of Scranton. In the first year, 17 families received help with their taxes. During this VITA season, that number jumped to an astounding 128 returns completed in Wayne County.
Gift of Warmth. In the second year of this program in Wayne County, generous donors helped ensure people in need would not suffer undue hardship during the cold winter months. Nineteen families in Wayne County were assisted with emergency heating issues. 2010 Grant Recipients In the fifth year for the United Way’s Wayne County Fund Distribution process, the following local organizations received awards from the volunteer committee comprised of Wayne County residents who make all funding decisions. The monies came from workplace campaigns, corporate gifts and individuals during the prior year’s campaign. In 2010, the committee was pleased to award a total of $60,000 to the following organizations: • Catholic Social Services of Wayne County Emergency Assistance
FamilyWize Partnership. FamilyWize cards are distributed for free by
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Devereux Pocono Center Life Share Program Friendship House Early Childhood Program Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County House #15 - Damascus Twp. Hamlin Fire and Rescue Co. Ambulance Equipment - Defibrillators Hawley Public Library Building Modifications Honesdale Area Ministerium Housing Partnership of Wayne County Honesdale Communities That Care Honesdale HS Mentoring project Honesdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps/ EMS - Advanced Life Support Services Greater Wayne County Hose Co. No. 1 - Water Rescue St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Accessibility Texas #4 Fire Company Keeping our Firefighters Safe Program Victim’s Intervention Program In-School Counseling Project Wallenpaupack School District Jr. Achievement BizTown and Jr. Achievement Finance Park Wayne County Area Agency on Aging Wayne County Food Pantry and Portable Air Conditioning / Heating Units for Low Income Elderly/Frail Wayne County Public Library Early Literacy Programs Wayne County YMCA “Get Moving”
Advancing the Common Good Department of Labor Participation. During the past year, the United Way’s Labor Department continued two partnerships that promoted community initiatives. The partnership with the Northeast Pennsylvania Labor Management Committee produced very favorable results. The PreApprenticeship program reached 22 high school seniors in Lackawanna County, eight in Wayne County and over 200 across the region to prepare these young men and women to take an apprenticeship test and enter the Building Trades. Also, we partnered with the NEPALMC in the third regional Safety Conference held at Lackawanna College.
FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
Labor partnered with IBEW Locals 1600 & 81 along with PPL to collect blood for a member of Local 1600 that was badly burned on the job. This was a second collection for this member. The department also continued its tradition of support for the National Association of Letter Carriers food drive. It was another successful year for the drive, filling nearly every food pantry in the Greater Scranton area. Additionally, the William E. Cockerill, Sr. Award was presented to Drew Simpson, United Way board member and member of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters.
The Department of Labor Participation also continues to be an important member of the Commonwealth’s Rapid Response team, meeting with displaced workers to quickly help access important services during times of unemployment and layoffs and providing a resource brochure. The Career Link of Lackawanna County also makes over 2,000 copies of the resource guide available to local people in need of the information.
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CALL TO ACTION :: GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. When the Community Chest—the precursor to the United Way— held its first community-wide fundraising campaign in 1921, hundreds of volunteers canvassed neighborhoods and visited businesses in the greater Scranton area asking their family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers to join them in supporting our community’s most pressing needs. Certainly, in the decades to follow, much has changed - from our region’s largest employers, to the complexity of some of the most serious issues facing our residents. Even fundraising itself has evolved as United Way donors now receive email updates and can even pledge their support online. But, while much has changed, the one constant remains the caring people of our region. Whether its the volunteers doing the asking or the donors doing the giving, our region is truly fortunate to have loyal supporters who LIVE UNITED when they GIVE UNITED! 2010 Campaign - Year in Review. The 2010 campaign certainly faced a variety of challenges as the economy struggles to get back on track. But the Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ community continued to rise to the challenges and achieved remarkable success. In fact, according to the United Way of Pennsylvania, our United Way was one of only four across the Commonwealth to achieve its financial campaign goal. Under the leadership of Ann and Dave Hawk, of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, a dedicated group of volunteer leaders helped take the campaign to new heights surpassing $4.1 million for the first time in our 90 year history. 2010 also marked the first for record levels in personal giving in the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of Lackawanna and Wayne counties. The Alexis de Tocqueville Society is a national program to recognize individuals who contribute $10,000 or more annually to the campaign. Leading the way was our first $100,000 contributor to the campaign, Joe Amato, who hosted an event at his home in Glenmaura and set forth a $100,000 challenge match program. Another first was the giving of Ann and Dave Hawk as they became our first $50,000 supporters. And the firsts did not stop there. Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company in Mehoopany became the region’s largest single employee campaign with contributors surpassing $270,000 for the first time. This reflects an increase of $20,000 over the prior year and is the total employee giving to all regional United Ways in their employee footprint. This incredible level of giving led to the employees of The P&G Paper Products CompanyMehoopany Plant to be named recipients of the Spirit of Caring Chairman’s Award - the highest honor United Way bestows on individuals, organizations or employee groups in our area.
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Also a Chairman’s Award winner in 2010, Penn Security Bank & Trust Company employees demonstrated why they rank among the best in helping our local community. Focusing on employee education and involvement, their effort was reenergized with multiple employee group presentations in all facilities in our region. This creative and enthusiastic campaign effort helped Penn Security employees achieve personal milestones in giving. Another winner, the Scranton School District, recorded a 33% increase in giving, establishing themselves firmly at the top of all Educational institutions with employee giving more than doubling any other group in the Education Division of the annual campaign. And not to be outdone, the employees at Moses Taylor Hospital exceeded all expectations and surpassed their ambitious employee goal by more then $5,000, firmly placing them in this category of Award Winning groups in 2010. The campaign is made possible because of the thousands of companies, individuals and employee groups who give of their time and financial resources to help local people in need. Their tireless efforts in reaching out to others to ask for their support of the campaign and their unparalleled personal generosity in giving truly is what the LIVE UNITED concept is all about. A perfect example of such an individual is our long-time friend and dedicated volunteer Mrs. Ann Moskovitz. Ann is one of those uniquely committed individuals with a deep passion to make a real difference. She has served as a member of the United Way’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee and was the 1996 co-chair of the annual campaign. Ann has lent her considerable fundraising expertise to every division of the annual campaign and, in 2010, as she has for many years, Ann and her husband Leo served as Leadership Giving co-chairs. Ann was also honored with a well-deserved Spirit of Caring Chairman’s Award in 2010.
Other —24.4%
Corporate Giving —23.3%
Sources of Revenue 2010 Campaign THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
Individual Giving—7.4%
% 6.7
— p. ing Cor on Giv n i No ndat Fou
Employee Giving —38.2%
THE UNITED WAY.
THE POWER OF YOUR
GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS
IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
AND CHANGES LIVES. FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
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CALL TO ACTION :: GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is a recognized leader in collaborations and positive, measurable community impact. But to bring about long-term, systemic changes that address underlying issues while meeting immediate needs, we know that it takes more than fundraising. Our United Way is uniquely positioned to bring people together around focused issues to get things done. We engage decision-makers, industry experts and policy leaders at the local, state and national levels to help address the most pressing needs in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.
ADVOCATE (ad-vuh-keyt) v. - to plead in favor of; to defend a cause; to support or promote the interests of another.
PA Budgetwatch Town Hall Meeting. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties joined forces with the United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP) to present a panel discussion related to the proposed FY 2011 state budget and the impact of devastating cuts to nonprofits across the Commonwealth—and here in our region. This meeting was the kick-off of an eight city tour of similar events across the state. Nearly 150 representatives from local social service organizations gathered at the Scranton event, featuring a panel discussion with Stephen Arnone, LackawannaSusquehanna Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Program; Jodi Askins, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children; Mary Gaffney, Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging; Michael Hanley, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Tony Ross, United Way of Pennsylvania. Nonprofit State Budget/Recession Survey. Also at the Town Hall Meeting, the local results of a statewide nonprofit survey conducted by UWP were released. The survey found that funding reductions in the last two state budget cycles and the economic recession have taken a heavy toll on Pennsylvanians in need and the organizations that serve them. The survey drew responses from over 1,000 nonprofit organizations that serve all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Responding groups included food banks, domestic violence agencies, libraries, faith based organizations, children services and agencies that serve seniors and people with disabilities. According to responses from organizations in our region:
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72 percent of area nonprofits have experienced a cut in state funding
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95 percent have experienced an increase in demand for services
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57 percent saw an increase in first time individuals seeking services
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48 percent saw an increase in unemployed clients
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29 percent saw an increase in uninsured clients
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24 percent expanded waiting lists
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10 percent eliminated programs
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
Why Cut What Works Campaign. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties joined with other United Ways and concerned nonprofits to ask state legislators “Why Cut What Works” with a series of moving posters and postcards illustrating the real effects of devastating state budget cuts to the nonprofit infrastructure across the Commonwealth. More than 30,000 of these postcards flooded the Capitol Building in Harrisburg, signed by clients and social service providers in our region and across the state. adultBasic Testimony. Auditor General Jack Wagner held four public hearings across the state—including in Scranton—to obtain public viewpoints regarding the use of the state’s tobacco settlement money toward health initiatives benefitting Pennsylvania residents. United Way’s Vice President of Community Impact, Peg Kopko, delivered testimony supporting use of the funds toward a restoration of the adultBasic health insurance plan for Pennsylvania residents in need. More than 41,000 Pennsylvanians, including nearly 1,000 in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties were enrolled in the adultBasic program when it expired at the end of 2010 because the private insurers’ portion of adultBasic funding expired. Nearly 12,000 residents of the two counties were on a waiting list for the program with almost 500,000 across the state when the funding expired. What You Can Do. As evidenced by the definition, advocacy goes far beyond public policy. Anyone can champion the cause, because LIVE UNITED isn’t just a clever slogan. It’s a way of life. The United Way is looking for people like you—people with a strong voice who are passionate about helping others and making a difference in our community. Start by visiting us online at UWLC.NET and sign up for our e-newsletter or connect with us on our Facebook page to learn more about the community issues that you care most about. Engage your co-workers, friends and family. Speak out about education, income and health. Write letters to your legislators at the local, state and federal levels or a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Even by simply wearing your LIVE UNITED shirt with pride, you can help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.
SPEAK UP ABOUT WHAT MATTERS TO YOU. FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
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CALL TO ACTION :: GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. We each possess unique talents and special abilities that can easily be harnessed to make a real difference in our community. When the philanthropic network of volunteers that would become the United Way first started this grassroots movement in 1921, it was clear that dedicated volunteers have immense power to make things happen. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties owes its very existence to the dedication and unyielding support of thousands of area people who roll up their sleeves each year to get things done. Each function of the United Way is made possible by the volunteers who support it. Hundreds of volunteers work on the annual campaign each year whether it’s at the Cabinet level, within individual companies, or individuals themselves writing letters and making phone calls to garner support. As you can see on the next page, more than 50 volunteers gave over 620 hours to ensure that those donor dollars raised during the campaign would be carefully spent on programs that deliver real, measurable results. And even the programs themselves exist only with the support of volunteers. Consider the astounding 1,900 hours that were given by the 32 trained and certified tax preparers as part of our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. When caring people unite, anything is possible! Day of Caring. Since 1994, the United Way’s Day of Caring has been an annual tradition with the value of completed projects nearing the $1.5 million mark. In 2010, nearly 500 volunteers representing 45 companies participated in Day of Caring, a substantial increase in the number of companies rolling up their sleeves to make a difference. The teams were comprised of employees, students, teachers, members of the military, business and government leaders and other community-minded citizens. The volunteer projects included landscaping, painting, cleaning, maintenance, client visitation and other essential tasks to benefit the local nonprofits making a difference in our community everyday. Youth Day of Caring. To encourage the next generation of volunteers to participate at an early age, our United Way holds an annual Youth Day of Caring for students in grades 7-12. In 2010, more than 200 students were mobilized in 11 agencies. Both Days of Caring are generously sponsored by Pennstar Bank. What You Can Do. If you have even a few extra hours to devote to others, you can make a real difference in someone’s life. Whether you’re looking to fill some free time with a meaningful volunteer experience or would like to make more of a long-term commitment, there are hundreds of ways to get involved. Visit UWLC.NET for more information.
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Community Impact :: Fund Distribution Your United Way investment has the power to change lives. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties remains steadfastly committed to our role as faithful stewards of the hardearned resources entrusted to us by the people of this community. The Community Impact Fund Distribution process helps ensure that the programs receiving United Way funding are creating measurable results. In both Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, dedicated volunteers meet annually to make critical funding decisions to support much-needed programs. Pages 10-11 of this report detail the fund distribution process in Wayne County. In Lackawanna County, last year, 54 Community Impact Committee volunteers—themselves contributors to the United Way—came together and completed 627 hours of scrutinizing the agencies which provide United Way funded programs by reviewing client data, units of service and outcomes. This annual citizen review process truly sets the United Way apart from other non-profit organizations. While the United Way’s Board of Directors must approve the decisions of the Community Impact Committees and volunteers in both counties, it is these individuals who are called upon to offer an objective review of how United Way funds are being utilized in this community. It is an extremely difficult but absolutely essential part of the United Way movement. These carefully monitored investments help to ensure that a wide range of services are in place responding to the immediate needs of our community—ranging from providing food for a family in need to shelter for domestic violence victims, early intervention for children with special needs to recreation and vocational training to adults with special physical and mental challenges, quality programming for youth to caregiver support for adults, the United Way changes lives—because of you!
Community Impact Focus Areas Our United Way’s focus on Education, Income and Health is further broken down into six areas of greatest impact. The dollar amounts listed were allocated to our partner agencies in Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
Investing in Youth & Children $453,809 Strengthening Families $503,312 Improving Community Health & Wellness $145,324 Helping Neighbors in Crisis $403,753 Supporting Older Adults $134,853 Caring for People with Special Physical or Mental Challenges $229,842
WHEN YOU SUPPORT THE UNITED WAY,
YOU HELP MORE THAN ONE PERSON OR ONE ISSUE.
THE UNITED WAY IS THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF ALL OF US
WORKING TOGETHER. 17 FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
Statements of Financial Position For the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2010 with summarized comparative information for Fiscal Year 2009.
ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Cash subject to donor restrictions Pledges receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible pledges of $225,189 and $404,406 Investments Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation Prepaid expenses Other receivables Beneficial interest in assets held by community foundation
2010 $ 1,957,120 5,228
2009 $ 1,773,549 76,454
1,055,513 2,275,082
987,132 2,114,593
$ 5,484,832
Total assets
130,094 16,640 6,396 38,759
148,921 14,974 8,739 36,862 $ 5,161,224
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts payable Accrued payroll and payroll taxes Allocations payable Agency funds Due to designated agencies Reserve for community service Total liabilities Net assets Unrestricted Board designated Undesignated Net investment in land, buildings and equipment Total unrestricted net assets Temporarily restricted Time restricted Purpose restricted Total temporarily restricted net assets Total net assets Total liabilities and net assets
$
8,113 $ 12,995 16,621 459,736 305,868 192,823 149,066 153,570 251,248 38,920 43,035 869,783 762,212
1,818,655 369,223
1,722,983 275,932
154,485 2,342,363
175,477 2,174,392
1,752,857 519,829 2,272,686 4,615,049 $ 5,484,832
1,723,058 501,562 2,224,620 4,399,012 $ 5,161,224
An independent audit was completed by McGrail, Merkel, Quinn and Associates for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 and is available for review at the United Way office.
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The official registration and financial information of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties may be obtained from The Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, in Pennsylvania, 1(800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
Our Mission To improve the quality of life of the people of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and surrounding communities by serving as a catalyst for community problem solving and by conducting an efficient, encompassing volunteer fundraising effort to positively impact the community’s most compelling social problems.
2010 Board of Directors Chair Frank Kincel Manager, Briggs Corporation Senior Vice Chair Sandy Chickeletti Vice President, M & T Bank Vice Chair, Community Service Development Peter Curtin Senior Vice President /Scranton Region, PNC Bank
Vice Chair, Resource Development Lewis J. Critelli President & CEO, Wayne Bank Vice Chair, Community Impact Marketing Randy Williams Brand Strategist, Lavelle Strategy Group
Secretary Anne Salerno Scranton School District
Immediate Past Chair Patricia Lynett Community Leader
Treasurer John Canavan Community Leader
Campaign Chairs David and Ann Hawk Gertrude Hawk Chocolates
Honorary Lifetime Members Richard Marquardt Judith Graziano
Harold W. Baillie, Ph.D.
Dr. Paul Kaczmarcik
John Nalavenko
John J. Tighe
Craig Best
Noelle Lynett
Mark Paradise
Dr. Anthony Yanni
George Brown
James Manley
Dr. Ann Pipinski
Cynthia Yevich
Dr. Robert D’Alessandri
Patrick McMahon
Robert Schwartz
Elizabeth Zygmunt
Tom Donohue
Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn
William Schweighofer
L. Peter Frieder, III
Sister Anne Munley, IHM
Drew Simpson
United Way Staff* Gary W. Drapek President and Chief Executive Officer
John J. Orbin Vice President, Resource Development/Campaign
Jack R. Evans Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Nicole M. Keller Vice President, Community Impact Marketing Peg Kopko Vice President, Community Services
*as of June, 2011
FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
Stig B. Fromm Manager, Community Services
William E. Cockerill, Jr. AFL/CIO Comm. Services Liaison
Jaime Herrmann Manager, Community Impact
Maripat Kovalkoski Manager, Operational Systems
Daniel Nowakowski Manager, Campaign
Elena Kozloski Manager, Office Services
Elizabeth Vincent Manager, Campaign
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EVER WONDER WHAT DIFFERENCE YOUR GIFT TO UNITED WAY REALLY MAKES? In Lackawanna and Wayne Counties during 2010, you helped 4,710 households with emergency food. You assisted 1,971 households with emergency housing issues. Because of you, 152 households received emergency heating assistance and a safe, warm home. In the middle of the dark night, 475 households received after hours emergency assistance. There are 103 brighter smiles and healthier mouths, because you helped 103 individuals receive over $55,000 of free dental care. You put clothes on the backs of people from 2,650 households who received clothing assistance. You helped 20 new moms and their babies receive an average of 155 days in transitional housing to help them get a new start. When others had given up on them, you helped 40 at-risk teens provide over 60 hours of community service last year. You provided clean clothes, diapers and other itty, bitty necessities for 1,350 families with young children who received baby pantry assistance. You put thousands and thousands and thousands of entertaining books on kids’ bookshelves. You fed meals to 690 homeless individuals and gave them shelter for the night. In fact, because of you, they were safe and warm for a combined total of 7,000 nights in a shelter. You supported help and healing by making available 2,855 hours of individual and family therapy. You were there when 315 at-risk youth enjoyed at least 1.5 hours of mentoring a week from their Big Brother or Big Sister. You delivered 1,818 warm, nutritious meals to 115 area seniors who had just been released from the hospital. Thanks to you, 2,300 children can see better after receiving free vision screening. When all seemed lost, you facilitated emergency services for 170 families after a devastating disaster like a fire or flood. You also gave nourishing food and beverages to the 2,955 emergency responders who got there first. You kept 130 women and children safe from domestic violence by providing an average of 90 days of shelter in a “safe house”. You helped them move forward by working with them to develop a personalized safety plan too. You aided 150 visually impaired individuals as they enjoyed 840 helpful visits to maintain their independence. You stood up for 200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities when they received 2,150 hours of advocacy services. You helped 500 seniors overcome frailty and isolation to maintain independent living. You did this with the help of 100 Senior Companions who provided over 212,000 hours of companionship. You offered free educational, social and recreational services to over 900 children. You helped 55 individuals with physical disabilities receive assistive technology services to remain functionally independent. You helped over 900 children transition successfully to kindergarten. You were there when 180 preschool children received nutrition education programs. You helped 362 school age children have a Healthy Future by measuring their nutritional knowledge and physical activity. You were behind the wheel when 70 dialysis patients received over 9,000 transportation trips for life-sustaining treatment. In times of loss and economic uncertainty, you helped 554 unemployed or uninsured individuals receive medical care. You strengthened the network of basic human services. You made people healthier. You helped individuals and families achieve financial stability. You helped ensure success for children and young people. You live united. And we all win.
THANK YOU. 20 UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
FY 2010 ANNUAL REPORT | UWLC.NET
WHEN WE LIVE UNITED... STUDENTS ARE INSPIRED. CHILDREN ARE SUCCESSFUL. FAMILIES ARE STRENGTHENED. OLD AGE IS MORE OF A GOLDEN AGE. TIMES OF CRISIS ARE LESS FRIGHTENING. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHALLENGES ARE LESS CHALLENGING. OUR COMMUNITY IS STRONGER AND HEALTHIER.
LIVE UNITED
™
LIVE UNITED
™
United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties
2008 Annual Report
615 Jefferson Avenue • Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510 PO Box 526 • Scranton, Pennsylvania 18501-0526 PO Box 328 • Waymart, Pennsylvania 18472 P: 570.343.1267 • F: 570.969.2977
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