United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties :: 2011-12 Annual Report by United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

TOGETHER, WE ARE STRONG. UNITED, we make a difference.

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties 2011-12 Annual Report

Do all the

good you can,

by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can. ~ John Wesley

CONTENTS

Message from the Board Chair and CEO Building Blocks for a Good Life >> Education >> Income >> Health Living United in Wayne County Department of Labor Participation LIVE UNITED Call to Action >> Give >> Advocate >> Volunteer Community Impact Fund Distribution Statements of Financial Position Our Mission Board of Directors Professional Staff What Difference Does It Make?

1 2-8 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 10 11-16 11-12 13-14 15-16 16 17 18 18 18 19

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On the cover: Students from Our Lady of Peace school with Sara Wolff, motivational speaker and board member of The ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania, during the 2012 United Way Youth Day of Caring.

Dear Friends, Since 1921, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has existed to help people and improve lives in our community. A bold goal, yes, but one that is most worthwhile as we strive to make a difference—not just once, but on a lasting basis. Not just for today, but for tomorrow too. This resolve was never more evident than in the past year as our compassion reached beyond our borders when our neighbors were in the most dire of circumstances. While Lackawanna and Wayne Counties were largely spared the brunt of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, our neighboring counties felt the full strength of Mother Nature’s fury. The devastation and destruction was unparalleled in recent memory, and rivaled those storms of epic proportions such as Hurricane Agnes. In the wake of the storms, our United Way immediately teamed up with TimesShamrock Communications, WNEP and the local Red Cross to set up a special fund for flood victims, raising more than $300,000 from thousands of individuals and organizations in our community and from 16 other states, apart from our United Way’s annual campaign which was running concurrently. Our United Way also worked with the Voluntary Action Center to mobilize volunteers and distribute donated items to those most in need in the storm-ravaged parts of the region. Yet, our experience tells us that while meeting immediate needs is critical, even more crucial is the support of long-term efforts to be there after the waters recede and the initial clean-up Person by person, family by family, neighborhood by neighborhood, is over.

A Message to Our Community

the United Way makes a difference everyday,

all because of you

It will take months if not years for many to and it’s . restore their properties, businesses and lives to what they once were. To help support these long-term flood relief efforts, our United Way received a grant for $175,000 from the Harry & Jeannette Weinberg Foundation. Thanks to this outstanding gift and additional financial support from the Diocese of Scranton, our United Way will continue to be there for those flood victims most in need through a collaborative effort with Neighborhood Housing Services and the Diocese. Additionally, in partnership with the United Way of Pennsylvania, our United Way also received a $16,000 emergency preparedness grant from Shell Oil Corporation. For the past 90 years and still today, our United Way stands at the forefront of meeting needs and addressing issues to improve lives for all of us. Whether its helping a preschooler prepare for kindergarten, mentoring a young adult, giving a warm meal to a senior, or providing a safe home in times of crisis - the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is proud to carry on the tradition of investing in local programs, convening collaborations and creating innovative initiatives that have the greatest impact here at home. Thank you for being our partner. Thank you for living united.

Sincerely,

Frank Kincel Chair, Board of Directors

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

Gary W. Drapek President and CEO

COMMUNITY IMPACT: Investing in the Building Blocks for a Good Life The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties believes in empowering people to change the conditions in which they live. We actively engage volunteers, businesses, organizations, nonprofits and other key players to help support this process and make lasting changes possible because community challenges require community-based solutions. Such a broad-based Community Impact approach helps United Way donors have an even greater impact on our community by investing in carefully monitored, effective programs that produce measurable results. With your help, we focus on the building blocks for a good life— a quality EDUCATION that leads to stable employment, sufficient INCOME to support a family through all life’s stages and sound mental and physical HEALTH and safety to lead a fulfilled and productive life.

In 2011 with your support of the United Way, 55,743

A better, stronger community

Fund Distribution to Partner Agency Programs in 2011

people’s lives were touched by Partner Agency programs receiving United Way funding. That’s approximately one out of every four people in our community who were positively impacted by the United Way because you cared enough to make a

e com

—

0 28.

Hea

lth —

35.8

difference. Maybe it was a friend, a family member, a neighbor, your co-worker or maybe it was even you

Education — 36.2 %

who benefitted first-hand from the network of caring in place thanks to the ongoing support of the United Way from our community. THANK YOU. Please turn to pages 9-10 for information on the Wayne County grant recipients.

Partner Agencies American Red Cross of Lackawanna County • The ARC of NEPA • Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA • Catholic Social Services • Day Nursery Association • Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA • Greater Carbondale YMCA • Greater Scranton YMCA • Hemodialysis Patients’ Association of NEPA • Jewish Community Center • Jewish Family Service of Lackawanna County • Lackawanna Branch, PA Association for the Blind • Meals on Wheels of NEPA • Northeastern PA Council, Boy Scouts of America • St. Joseph’s Center • The Salvation Army • Scranton Primary Health Care Center • Serving Seniors • Telespond Senior Services • United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA • United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA • Voluntary Action Center of NEPA • Women’s Resource Center 2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

Mindi Ramsey, WNEP’s morning news anchor, joined all of the kindergarten students at Old Forge Elementary school for a public service announcement to remind parents it’s time to register their children for school.

families. Preschool field trips to Kindergarten classrooms were coordinated to Riverside East, Moscow and Old Forge Elementary Schools. With the help of an in-kind donation from Universal Printing Company, we continued the publication of the ever-popular “What Do you Wonder About Kindergarten” books for preschool

aged children entering Kindergarten at Carbondale Area, Dunmore, Moscow, Jefferson, Old Forge, Riverside East and West and Valley View Elementary Schools. Each book is customized by school, featuring full color photographs of the kindergarten teachers and other district faculty and staff members such as the principal, nurse and cafeteria workers. Photographs of actual classrooms, the gym, playground, restrooms and other key areas within each school help the young students and their families feel more comfortable with the new school setting to ease the transition to kindergarten. These books were distributed to 960 families. To celebrate the success of our Kindergarten Transition program and honor the many partners who make it possible, a breakfast event was held in the fall, attended by representatives from 5 area school districts and seven preschool providers. Through the joint efforts of these caring community partners, 2,478 children in our community successfully transitioned to Kindergarten from 2008-2011.

2010

children

1,615

2009

873

2008

children

Kindergarten Transition Program :: Measuring the Impact

773

tools and skills necessary to ensure success in school—and life.

$17.

children

We all win when children have the

Kindergarten Readiness. One of the ways we do this is a comprehensive school readiness program. Working together with parents, caregivers, school districts and educators, our Success By 6/LEARN team helps distribute resources such as Kindergarten Here I Come, Everyday I Learn Through Play and more. Last year, we worked with 24 elementary schools in eight school districts: Abington Heights, Carbondale, Dunmore, North Pocono, Old Forge, Riverside, Scranton and Valley View to reach more than 1,615

EARLY EDUCATION, THE RETURN IS

617

Research shows that for every $1 invested in early education, the return is $17, measured by lower crime rates, fewer teen pregnancies, higher graduation rates and access to better paying jobs.

Success By 6 is pleased to be part of Pennsylvania’s Local Education and Resource Network (LEARN) team to build support systems in every county for organizations and individuals interested in quality early education. Additionally, our United Way participated in the Pennsylvania Early Childhood Economic Summit in Harrisburg, an annual meeting with business and community leaders to frame strategies for improving early childhood education in the state.

INVESTED IN

children

Through our Success By 6 program, special initiatives and partner agency programs, the United Way is committed to ensuring the quality education of our young people and promoting active learning for a lifetime.

FOR EVERY $1

215

The quality of an individual’s education has a profound and lasting impact on the person’s ability to succeed throughout life.

Meet our LEARN team. Our community is a tightly woven tapestry of unique individuals, yet despite our differences, we are united by the common desire to make our community better. When babies are born learning, they become inquisitive preschoolers. When those preschoolers head to kindergarten, they succeed in school. When they succeed in school, they become graduates. When they graduate, they obtain good jobs, create stable homes and have families with a bright future. And, they teach their babies to learn.

2011

2012

Total impact since 2008 = 4,093 children

Kindergarten Registration. To help ensure more children had access to all of the various transition activities, the United Way’s Success By 6 program once again sponsored a community-wide “It’s Time to Register for Kindergarten” campaign in the spring. Registration information was collected from all public schools serving children in Lackawanna County which was then distributed back to all licensed childcare providers and preschools, our partner agencies and the community at large. The information was also translated for the Spanish speaking community. Once again, WNEP-16 produced a public service announcement featuring morning news anchor Mindi Ramsey and the entire Kindergarten Class at Old Forge Elementary. The ad ran 225 times during March and April with a total value of $49,760 of donated airtime.

learning centers throughout Lackawanna County. Nearly 50 readers from 17 area companies participated in the program including a special visit to the children at Treasure House in Scranton from Senator John Blake and United Way Campaign cochair (and retired teacher) Susan Brady. Success By 6 is also fortunate to work in partnership with PNC Bank’s Executive Reader program which sends bank executives to read to children at these early learning centers throughout the year. Community readers in the classroom reached more than 700 children. Through a generous partnership with Highlights for Children and High Five magazine, Success By 6 provided 26 early learning centers with 55 cases of educational magazines, totaling 2,750 distributed to area children.

Community Readers and Early Literacy. To highlight the importance of quality early learning and early literacy, Success By 6 celebrated PA Promise for Children month in October by recruiting guest readers from the community to read to children at early

Disaster Response. After the disastrous flooding following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, Success By 6 partnered with Community Services for Children to conduct a book drive for early childhood centers damaged in the flood. With the help of the Lackawanna County Public Library system, drop-off stations were set up and thousands of books were collected and distributed to help rebuild the libraries of those lost at early childhood

Pennsylvania State Senator John Blake reads to the children at the Treasure House .

“With the help of the United Way’s Success By 6 program, we are able to implement a successful outreach program to our incoming kindergarten students and parents. I have received a great deal of positive feedback from our staff and parents regarding all we are doing to help ease such transitions.”

~Scott Pentasuglio | Principal, Riverside East Elementary School

centers in the flood ravaged parts of our region. Keystone Stars. This voluntary initiative of the Department of Public Welfare seeks to ensure continuous One of our “Shining Stars” at the Keystone STARS 10th Anniversary celebration. quality improvement in child care an early care and education centers. More than 62 percent resource guide for parents. of regulated child care centers Compiling valuable information in Lackawanna County actively from a number of different participate in Keystone STARS. sources, this will serve as a guide for finding quality early In celebration of Keystone care, what to expect from STARS’ 10th Anniversary, childcare providers and more Success By 6 was proud to as well as tips for parents on recognize children nominated how to be their child’s first as Shining Stars by parents, teacher and how to make teachers and even the everyday moments into children themselves! learning moments. The entire resource guide is available for Supporting Good Dental Health. download on our website at The importance of good dental uwlc.net. health and hygiene in young children is critical and helps In addition, make to prevent more serious health sure to visit our issues later in life. To this Facebook page end, Success By 6 partnered at facebook.com/ with the Young Lawyer’s SB6uwlc for early Association to distribute 168 learning events dental health bags to young and parenting information in children in need in our area. Lackawanna County. What’s Next? Success By 6 has recently launched a new initiative entitled “The First Steps,”

Outcomes

In 2011, 873 preschool children successfully transitioned to kindergarten • 303 at-risk youth in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program showed an improvement in behavior • 294 women and children were kept safe from domestic violence and learned to develop a personalized safety plan to keep them safe • Turn to page 19 for more outcomes that you made possible in education. >> 2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

$1.4 MILLION IN TAX REFUNDS

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Since 2008, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has worked in partnership with the University of Scranton and a number of other community organizations to provide 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 Angela Kokas, 26 tax preparers were trained and provided more than 2,000 hours Peg Kopko, United Way staff, and Joe Hammond, University of Scranton VITA coordinator, confer about a tax return during the most recent tax season. of tax preparation services in addition that expansion in 2007, to the volunteer greeters who the number of tax returns welcomed the tax clients completed stood at 777. The and assisted with intake chart below illustrates the paperwork. Taxes are prepared steady annual growth of this at the University of Scranton program which has more and in mobile sites throughout than doubled. Over the past Lackawanna and Wayne five years, 6,462 tax returns Counties. have been completed with more than $5.5 million being With this tremendous volunteer returned to the community in support during the past year, 1,592 tax returns were Five Year Analysis completed with $1,479,594 VITA Tax Returns Completed being returned to the community in federal refunds, including $473,626 in Earned 2008 975 returns Income Credits.

$318,000

IN FEE SAVINGS

Since our earliest days as the Community Chest in Scranton, a hallmark of the United Way movement has been to provide a solid safety net in times of crisis and dire need. During the last fiscal year, our United Way provided or was directly involved in the distribution of $840,870 to address basic, emergency needs such as food and shelter. Yet, according to Census figures released last year, more than 25,000 residents of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties are living in poverty. Through our Financial Stability Partnership, the United Way promotes fiscal stability and economic independence to help area families increase income, build savings and gain assets.

We all win when families are financially stable, lifted from the depths of poverty and leading productive lives.

1,592

FAMILIES IMPACTED

In addition to the free tax preparation services, the United Way partners with Consumer Credit Counseling of Northeastern Pennsylvania to provide financial literacy information to tax clients. This is the fifth year of the VITA program expansion to mobile sites. Prior to

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

2009

1,115 returns

2010

1,270 returns

2011

1,510 returns

2012

1,592 returns

refunds. Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Through a grant from the IRS, the United Way is in the second year of operating a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) to assist lowincome 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 is 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. In the past year, we opened 20 cases in the clinic. Our outreach efforts expanded as we reached more than 200 low income and ESL taxpayers throughout the year. This included the 2011 Latin Pride Festival and two outreach sessions held at Catholic Social Services for the Bhutanese community. As a result, four individuals

approached us to offer their services as translators for the VITA program to help us overcome the language and cultural barriers with this growing segment of our population. 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 170 children from income eligible families attend qualified pre-kindergarten programs as $340,950 in Pre-K tax credits was obtained from 19 area companies. We gratefully acknowledge the following organizations for their outstanding support of this program: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

AAA North Penn - Club Insurance The Dime Bank Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank First Liberty Bank & Trust First National Community Bank Frontier Communications Gentex Corporation Hildebrandt Learning The Honesdale National Bank International Salt Co. Luzerne Bank M & T Bank Penn Security Bank & Trust Pennstar Bank PNC Bank, NA

• • • •

PPL Corporation Topp Copy TR Associates Wayne Bank

Our United Way was proud to be recognized by the Commonwealth as having one of the largest programs in terms of dollars received in the state, and we are grateful to these supportive companies. 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 sessions cover topics such as: Pay Yourself First; To Your Credit; Raising Money Smart Kids; Bank on It; Borrowing Basics and more. With the assistance of United Neighborhood Centers, there are currently 27 active savers in the program, and 26 savers that have graduated by reaching the $2,000 level. To date, there have been 16 auto purchases; 5 home repairs; 2 home purchases; 2 education expenses and 1 small business start-up. To further support our

“My husband and I would like to send our heartfelt thank you for providing the Family Savings program which not only enabled me to save but provided the matching funds for my husband’s last semester at Marywood University where he recently received a Master’s in Speech and Communication Disorders. Without this program he wouldn’t have been able to finish his studies. My husband is 46 and is accomplishing a goal that was not even remotely possible earlier in his life! Thank you very much!”

~Successful saver in the Family Savings Account Program

savers, we continued an exceptional partnership with TR Associates, enabling savers that reach the $500 mark to purchase a refurbished computer for $50 with a $50 match from the United Way. To date, there have been 20 savers who have benefited from this offer. 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. The donors are then given cards, such as the one pictured here, to include in or serve as their corporate holiday greeting. Cards are also available specially worded for personal use. Through the generosity of local foundations and many corporate and individual donors, our Gift of Warmth program enjoyed

another successful year which enabled us to ensure the health and safety of area residents during the cold winter months. Across our two-county area, 153 families received assistance with heating emergencies. Community Investment Council. The United Way’s 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 and United Neighborhood Centers for the Housing Coalition of Lackawanna County. This grant helps our community leverage $1.6 million for critical housing programs from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Outcomes

8,034 households without enough to eat were helped with emergency food • 1,457 families with young children received baby pantry assistance to help with basic necessities like clothing and diapers • 26 low to moderate income individuals graduated from our financial education and savings program and were able to purchase their identified savings goal • Turn to page 19 for more outcomes that you made possible in income. >> 2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

Strong, vibrant and healthy individuals and families are the cornerstone of every community. Whether its a neighbor without health insurance, a co-worker who is the victim of abuse, a child down the street without enough food to eat, a family member struggling with mental illness or a senior who can’t afford his prescription medications, our United Way is committed to ensuring the good health and well-being of everyone in our region. We are proud to support a broad array of healthrelated programs and services. Together with our numerous partners, we’re helping thousands of area residents lead heathier and more productive lives.

We all win when people of all ages enjoy good physical and mental health, safety and well-being.

Hunger In Our Region. Far too many people in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties experience food insecurity—the often debilitating uncertainty of where their next meal will come from. In fact, according to a study by the Food Research and Action Center, more than one quarter of all families in Northeastern Pennsylvania have a problem putting food on their tables. In an area boasting one of the highest senior populations in the Commonwealth, we all too often see our seniors faced with the choice between buying food and paying for prescription medications or other crucial bills. And, the youngest among us are far from immune from hunger. In most school districts in our region, the percentage of children eligible for the free and reduced federal school lunch program far exceeds the State average, indicating a grave need that is only further evidenced by the bare shelves seen all too frequently at area food pantries. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is committed to helping ensure area residents of all ages have adequate quantities of quality, nutritious food. Caring & Sharing Healthy Food Drive. What began as a one-time effort in response to the 101 day state budget impasse in 2009 has now been embraced as an integral part of our annual Day of Caring. Each fall, dozens of local companies volunteer for the day with United Way and our

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

26 PERCENT OF FAMILIES IN NORTHEASTERN

PENNSYLVANIA

DO NOT HAVE

ENOUGH FOOD.

Patricia Dunleavy (left) and Ann Boland Chase (right) drop off donated food from Marywood University faculty, staff and students as part of the Caring & Sharing Healthy Food Drive.

agency partners. The Caring & Sharing Healthy Food Drive is a natural outcropping of that support. Area companies are asked to conduct a food drive focusing on a limited number of much needed food items which are then donated to area food banks. In 2011, the result was approximately one and a half tons of nutritious food being donated to United Neighborhood Centers, the Salvation Army, Bread Basket of NEPA and the Friends of the Poor. Community Gardens. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties recently began a pilot program of financial and volunteer support to develop two community

gardens in low-income housing developments in the Mid Valley and Carbondale. The goal of the gardens is to provide fresh produce for lowincome residents who will tend to the garden plots with the help of volunteers. Grow United. Similar to the community garden concept, the United Way is utilizing our network of supportive employee groups and Day of Caring volunteers to Grow a Row: Give a Row. Because one of the most scarce commodities in local food banks is fresh produce, we are working with volunteer gardening enthusiasts across the region to grow and donate fresh vegetables to food banks in their communities. Backpacks for Kids. Many children in area school districts who participate in the free and reduced school lunch program go home on the weekends with no alternative for healthy food once they are away from the school setting. Our United Way, in partnership with the Weinberg Food Bank, has implemented a Backpack for Kids pilot program in the Carbondale Area Elementary School as well as Preston

Children in the After-School program at the Greater Carbondale YMCA volunteer each week to sort and pack the donated food for the Backpacks for Kids program at the Carbondale Area School District.

Elementary School in Wayne County. Children in these areas eligible for free and reduced school lunch are given the opportunity to take home a backpack filled with approximately six pounds of nutritious, child-friendly food for the weekend. The backpacks are nondescript and filled discreetly to avoid embarrassment to the child, and are returned each week to be filled again for the upcoming weekend. The program began in the spring and ran through the end of the school year, serving 175 children with the goal to expand the program in the new school year. State Food Purchase Program. As local administrator of the State Food Purchase Program, the United Way leveraged $280,102 from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. These monies were awarded to 12 local organizations to assist area families with emergency food needs. Through this vital program, approximately 167,639 pounds of food was purchased and nearly 11,967 households received food. Emergency Food and Shelter Program. For more than 29 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 $94,587 in federal funds to seven local organizations. The funding for the present year is currently on hold pending final local award determination. Healthy Futures. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties continued its focus on issues surrounding childhood obesity last year with the innovative and award-winning Healthy Futures program. Children participating in programming at five Partner Agencies—the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Jewish Community Center, Greater Carbondale YMCA, Greater Scranton YMCA and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA—were given the opportunity to participate where the results were reviewed and funded through the Community Impact process. This program targets childhood obesity by increasing physical activity levels and nutritional

“Thank you to all our friends who helped with the badly needed Day of Caring Food Drive. Within hours, the food collected was delivered into multiple pantry sites to help with food shortages immediately.” ~Sandra Roberts | Bread Basket of NEPA

knowledge of the children and their families. Last year, 438 children participated in the Healthy Futures program. FamilyWize Prescription Discount Program. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is proud to partner with FamilyWize to offer a discount card for prescription savings up to 75 percent with the average savings around 35 percent or $20 per prescription. FamilyWize cards are distributed free of charge throughout the community

FamilyWize Prescription Discounts in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

Savings in 2011:

Savings in 2009 & 2010 combined:

$212,385

$205,489

and across the nation with the goal of reducing the cost of prescription medications for children, families, seniors and other individuals with little or no prescription coverage. It covers all FDA-approved prescription drugs and is accepted at most pharmacies nationwide, including all major chains. Last year alone, 8,899 claims were made in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties with a total savings of $212,385 on these prescriptions. The average amount saved per prescription was around $24 or 42 percent. Since 2007, more than $632,000 has been saved to date with 26,220 claims in our two county area. FamilyWize cards are available at the United Way office or can be downloaded from our website at www.uwlc.net.

Outcomes

438 school-age children showed an increase in their nutritional knowledge and physical activity levels to combat childhood obesity • 500 frail seniors maintained their dignity and independence with the help of regular visits from 102 Senior Companions • 489 individuals received an average of six counseling sessions to help them resolve their problems and have a healthier, happier and more productive life • Turn to page 19 for more outcomes that you made possible in health. >> 2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

Living United in Wayne County In the past six years, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has distributed in excess of $270,000 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, caring community. 2011 Grant Recipients In the sixth 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 2011, the committee was pleased to award a total of $67,000 to the following organizations:

•

• • • • • • • •

American Red Cross, Wayne Pike Chapter Disaster Victim Assistance in Wayne County The ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania Advocacy Services in Wayne County Catholic Social Services Diocese of Scranton Catholic Social Services of Wayne County Devereux Pocono Center School to Work Program Hawley Public Library Building Modifications Honesdale Communities That Care Communities That Care Scholarship Program Honesdale EMS Advanced Life Support Services Greater Wayne County Hose Co. No. 1 - Honesdale Fire Department “Raft for Life”

• • •

• •

Backpacks for Kids. In partnership with the Weinberg CEO Food Bank, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties has begun “Backpacks for Kids,” a nutritional supplementation program for low-income students in the Wayne Highlands School District. Piloted for the school year at Preston Area Elementary School, the program assists those children eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program by discreetly providing backpacks full of nutritious and childfriendly food every Friday. In its first year, this program helped approximately 60 children each week.

Bill Schweighofer, United Way Board Member and President of The Honesdale National Bank gives the Wayne County YMCA a fresh coat of paint during Day of Caring.

Texas #4 Fire Company Water Supply Project Victim’s Intervention Program In-School Counseling Project Wallenpaupack School District Jr. Achievement BizTown Wayne County Area Agency on Aging Wayne County Food Pantry “Used Fork Lift” and Portable Air Conditioning / Heating Units for Low Income Elderly/ Frail Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau Christmas Bureau Support Wayne County Public Library Early Literacy Outreach Wayne County YMCA Teaming Up to Touch Lives

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

Volunteers at Preston Elementary School fill bags with nutritious, child-friendly foods each week for children to take home every Friday, ensuring they and their families have enough to eat on the weekends.

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. Two businesses contributed to United Way’s EIO program with funds totaling $2,164 used at the Wallenpaupack Area School District for its Stock Market Game. This educational program is open to middle school students, under the guidance of two teachers who assist the students in math, economics, language, research and critical thinking skills while building and maintaining a stock portfolio.

“This is a great opportunity to help meet the needs of our children who can focus on having fun and achieving their academic and personal aspirations because they are not focused on their hunger,” said Chris Pietraszewski, principal of Preston Area Elementary School.

Pre-K Tax Credits. During the 2011 campaign, 19 area businesses—including The Dime Bank, The 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 26 families and their children in Wayne County and seven in Pike County with scholarship assistance to attend quality Pre-K programs.

Educational Improvement Organization. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties was approved

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. This marked the third year of expansion into Wayne County for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partnership

with the University of Scranton. VITA is a collaboration of numerous organizations committed to the economic stability of local families. In the first year, 17 returns were completed in Wayne County compared with 133 returns during the most recent tax season. In addition to the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, taxes were prepared at Woodloch Pines Resort with eight sessions added to serve older adults at the Wayne County Senior Center. Emergency Needs in Wayne County Due to federal funding cuts, Wayne County was not a recipient of Federal Emergency Food and Shelter funding in 2011. Our United Way takes our obligation to address emergency needs in Wayne County very seriously, and while we could not fully fund the loss of federal dollars, the United Way did make $8,000 available—$5,000 designated to emergency housing or shelter and $3,000 for emergency food needs to help those individuals and families in Wayne

“As a direct result of your generosity, the Honesdale EMS is equipping our ambulances with two new cardiac monitors which will be used every time we respond to a patient with a life-threatening injury or illness. I deeply appreciate your support of this critical service we provide to the 150,000 residents and visitors in our community.” ~Sharon Gumpper | Executive Director | Honesdale EMS

County meet the highest priority of basic necessities. Gift of Warmth. In the second year of this program in Wayne County, generous donors and a special gift from the Villaume Foundation helped ensure people in need would not suffer undue hardship during the cold winter months. Thirty-one families comprised of 125 individuals in Wayne County were assisted with emergency heating issues, including 32 percent of those who were children under the age of 18.

FamilyWize Partnership. FamilyWize cards are distributed for free by participating United Ways, such as ours, and help reduce the cost of prescription medication. In Wayne County last year, 575 claims were made with a savings of $13,484. The average savings per prescription was more than $23 or 36.5 percent saved.

Department of Labor Participation: Advancing the Common Good During the past year, the United Way’s Department of Labor Participation continued two partnerships to promote community initiatives. The department worked closely with the Lackawanna County and Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Boards on the PreApprenticeship program which reaches high school seniors in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. These successful programs help prepare young men and women to take an apprenticeship test and enter the Building Trades.

The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 17 had their best food drive in history, helping to fill the food pantries in the greater Scranton area. Special thanks to the carriers of Dickson City.

A. Gershey, DPM. Dr. Gershey is a member of the Guild Local 45 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, an international of the AFL-CIO. The Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association (PPMA), established this Guild almost fourteen years ago in response to the dramatic changes that they, as doctors, were seeing in the healthcare industry. Labor, through its direct membership, family dependents, and retirees represents A local member of the National Association of Letter Carrier’s Branch 17 collects donated food as part of the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. about forty million consumers of healthcare, or, approximately twenty percent of those citizens of this nation team, meeting with displaced workers to who are insured in one fashion or another. quickly help access important services The Cockerill award is presented annually during times of unemployment or layoffs. to an individual or group from the ranks The CareerLink of Lackawanna County of organized labor who provide exemplary also makes available an informative service to the community through their brochure, produced by the United Way support of the United Way. Dr. Gershey and the Labor Department to highlight is a long-time member of the United those services. Way’s Campaign Cabinet and serves as a member of the Mike Munchak Charity Golf Classic Committee.

As part of the United Way’s annual Awards Breakfast, the William E. Cockerill Sr. Award was presented to Joseph

The Department of Labor Participation also continues to be an important part of the Commonwealth’s Rapid Response

Labor also partnered with IBEW Locals 1600 & 81 along with PPL on a blood collection for a member of Local 1600 who was badly burned on the job.

2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. Being a loyal United Way donor is about more than simply giving back. It’s about being a crucial part of the community and making a lasting difference. Every day in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, hundreds of businesses and thousands of individuals impact our community through their generosity, leadership and participation. As we look back over the past year, we call to mind the many challenges faced and are inspired by the extraordinary response from so many in the face of those challenges. Just take a look around our community and you’ll see the difference United Way has made to our friends and neighbors at every stage of life. Children have more of an opportunity for a better future. Families are becoming stronger and more secure. Neighborhoods are thriving and becoming safer. Seniors are supported as they age with dignity and independence. And we stand with those who are rebuilding their lives after disaster strikes. presenters at a Campaign Roundtable to share tips and best practices with other employee campaign managers in the region.

2011 Campaign - Year in Review. The 2011 campaign certainly faced a variety of challenges as the struggling economy continued to take its toll on many in our community. Yet as is so often the case, the hard-working and compassionate people of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties continued to rise to the challenge.

Two additional high-achieving employee groups and one corporate partner were honored with the Spirit of Caring Chairman’s Award - the highest honor United Way bestows on individuals, organizations or employee groups in our area.

Led by Campaign co-chairs, Jim and Susan Brady and their dedicated cabinet volunteers, giving to our Despite trying economic times, The United Way crested $3.7 million, Dime Bank employees long-standing thanks in large part to hundreds of Jim and Susan Brady, 2011 Campaign co-chairs, living united at the annual Youth Day of Caring. support of the United Way continued workplaces throughout Lackawanna during the 2011 campaign. In fact, since holding their first drive and Wayne Counties that conduct on-site campaigns with more than five years ago, The Dime Bank employee campaign their employees. Indeed, workplace campaigns form the has never had a reduction in giving. The 2011 effort was no foundation of United Way support and allow people at all exception as giving increased by 36 percent with a 25 percent levels within the organization the opportunity to help people increase in the number of donors. across our region. For the third consecutive year, the campaign saw record-breaking generosity from the outstanding employees of the Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company in Mehoopany. Their giving to all regional United Ways surpassed $300,000 in 2011, shattering the prior year’s alltime high of $271,000 and cementing their place as the largest single employee campaign in the region. Alex Fried, United Way board member, and P&G’s Mehoopany PR, HSE & Energy Affairs Manager, was among the

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

A reenergized campaign was conducted in 2011 by the employees and physicians of Physicians Health Alliance, Inc. that yielded outstanding results. PHA employees and physicians nearly doubled their already generous level of support, both in terms of financial contributions and the number of givers while tripling the number of leadership givers donating $1,000 or more annually.

Local artist Jeff D’Angelo created this caricature of Jim and Susan, affectionately presented to them by the members of “The Brady Bunch”—the 2011 Campaign Cabinet.

As you travel the roads of Northeastern Pennsylvania, chances are you have

Mike Munchak Charity Golf Classic. seen Lamar Advertising Company’s Our United Way is honored to support of the United Way in living welcome Scranton native Mike color! In 2011, Lamar continued its Munchak—2001 Pro Football Hall of venerable tradition as an invaluable Fame enshrinee, former All-Pro Guard partner in caring for our community. for the Houston Oilers and head coach In addition to generous employee of the Tennessee Titans each year for support of the annual campaign, the golf tournament bearing his name Lamar donated more than $60,000 that raises much needed funds. The in billboard space and creative 2012 outing marked a milestone as in design in support of myriad United excess of $500,000 has been raised Way initiatives, fundraising, special since the tournament began. This year programs and more to effectively One of numerous billboards donated to the United Way by Lamar Advertising, this one along the was also highlighted by the fastest ever deliver the United Way message for North Scranton Expressway announces the sold out status of the 2012 Mike Munchak Charity Golf Classic at the County Club of Scranton. sell-out when the tournament field was maximum impact throughout our filled just weeks after the registration materials were distributed. region. In the 2012 campaign, thanks to Lamar’s outstanding We are grateful to Coach Munchak for his outstanding continued generosity, ten small businesses that contribute to our United support of his home community. Way will have the chance to win a billboard for one month. To help ensure current levels of support continue on into perpetuity, the United Way established the Legacy Circle, a formalized program to encourage planned giving to our United Way. Through the Legacy Circle, our generous donors can leave a lasting legacy in our community and extend their philanthropy beyond an annual gift to the campaign. Legacy Circle donors make a minimum commitment through outright gifts or a commitment in their estate plans while others choose to combine these two options to make a lasting impact. For more information on making a Legacy Circle gift, please visit the Give section of our website at uwlc.net.

Sources of Revenue 2011 Campaign Corporate Giving 22.31 % ing l Giv a u vid on Indi 8.74 % dati n u Fo rp. ng o C Givi % Non 9.46

What better way to honor a man whose stalwart belief in community service and giving back has defined his life and his football career than by the establishment of the Mike Munchak Community Service Scholarship. High School seniors graduating from any school district in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties who are continuing their education at an accredited university, college or trade school are eligible to apply for this one-time financial award of $6,300 in honor of Mike’s #63 that he wore throughout his playing days and which was retired by the Houston Oilers in 1994. We congratulate the inaugural recipient of this scholarship award—Philip Mosolino, a 2012 graduate of Carbondale Area High School who will be attending Bloomsburg University in the fall.

Watch the 2012-13 Campaign Video

Other 19.41 %

Employee Giving 40.08 %

Members of the Scranton High School Advanced Chorus, under the direction of Lisa McConlogue, perform for the 2012 United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ Campaign Video.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view our 2012-13 Campaign video online or visit our United Way’s YouTube channel.

2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is the only organization looking at the social service needs of our two-county region with a holistic approach. We identify needs, priorities and gaps in service to direct resources in the singularly most effective manner. To do this, we coordinate numerous collaborations and partnerships to help reduce redundancy and maximize efficiency. We know that this sort of community-based approach takes more than successful fundraising, so we recruit the people and organizations to share their passion for our community around a host of critical issues. You see, instead of focusing on one single cause or issue, we focus on dozens of them, serving the community as a whole. This way, your kind support of the United Way not only addresses the needs that everyone is aware of, but also those that are less obvious, but no less important. Uniting decision-makers, industry experts and policy leaders at the local, state and national levels, the United Way keeps the needs of the people of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties at the forefront. Advocacy in Action. The goal of Executive Deputy Secretary of the our advocacy efforts is to inform, Pennsylvania Budget Office; Tony Ross, educate and engage local, state and President, United Way of Pennsylvania; federal policymakers, non-profits, Stephen Arnone, Administrator, business leaders and the community Lackawanna-Suquehanna Behavioral at large about the unique needs of Health/Intellectual Disabilities/ Lackawanna and Wayne Counties Early Intervention Program; Michael and how the goals and priorities of Hanley, Executive Director, United our United Way go to work addressing Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern those very needs. Through advocacy, Pennsylvania; Peg Ruddy, Executive our network is able to share our Director, Women’s Resource Center and collective expertise surrounding the Kelli Thompson, Government Affairs Phil Condron, President of Condron and Company, moderates the Pennsylvania Budget education, income and health of our Associate, Pennsylvania Partnerships Town Hall Meeting and poses audience questions to the panelists. region. Join us in taking an active for Children. Also attending were role in helping our community. What does it mean to be an Senator John Blake and State Representatives Ken Smith, Kevin advocate? It’s a power we all possess because its simply a Murphy and Sid Michaels Kavulich as well as Bill Goldsworthy, matter of expressing what you believe in your heart. It means Deputy Director of Governor Corbett’s Northeast Regional office. to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. It gives a voice to those without one. It gives hope to the Under the budget proposal, overall funding for seven critical hopeless and strength to the powerless. It’s about finding health and human services programs—the human development your voice and joining it with others because UNITED, we will services fund, homeless assistance, child welfare special grants, be heard! mental health services, programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, behavioral health services and outpatient drug Pennsylvania Budget Town Hall Meeting. For the second time, and alcohol treatment—were slated for cuts. In addition, the the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties joined proposal called for the reduced funding to be rolled into a single forces with the United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP) to present block grant within the Human Services Development Fund. a panel discussion related to the proposed FY 2012 state budget and the continued impact of further devastating cuts As part of the presentation, UWP released results from a to the health and human service infrastructure across the statewide survey of more than 800 nonprofits. According to the Commonwealth—and right here at home. survey, 46 percent reported cuts in program hours while 45 percent saw their waiting lists for services increase significantly This meeting was part of a series of town meetings held and 32 percent cancelled programs altogether as a result of the across the state. More than 100 representatives from local continued budget cuts at all levels. health and human service organizations gathered at the event in Scranton. The panelists included Peter Tartline, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Roundtable. State Senator

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

Lisa Boscola (D-18, Bethlehem Twp.), chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, held a roundtable discussion with Sen. John Blake (D-22, Archbald) and Sen. John Yudichak (D14, Nanticoke) to hear from providers and advocates about the impact of the proposed state budget cuts on the people we serve. United Way president Gary Drapek was among the panelists who illustrated the plight of agencies attempting to offer high levels of service to people in need in the face of high unemployment and high rates of poverty.

Sen. John Blake, Gary Drapek, and Sarah Drob, Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy, listen to the testimony offered by Sara Wolff, representing the ARC of NEPA, at the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Roundtable.

Food Stamp Asset Test Testimony. United Way President Gary Drapek was invited by Representatives Gene DiGirolamo (R-18, Bucks) and Mark Cohen (D-202, Philadelphia) as well as Attorney Michael Froehlich of the Philadelphia Legal Services Organization to offer written testimony before the Pennsylvania House Committee on Human Services. The testimony focused on the newly implemented asset test for the food stamp program and its effect on low income families and seniors in Pennsylvania. 2-1-1. Every hour of every day, someone in our region searches for help, from care for an aging loved one to fleeing a violent home or from child care assistance to help paying for food. Never was the need for a centralized portal of information and referral more evident than in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee when people in flood-ravaged parts of our area clamored for help while those fortunate to be unaffected by storm damage sought ways to lend their support to their neighbors in need. Pennsylvania is one of only three states not yet part of the national 2-1-1 system, a free information and referral line to allow the public to access information about health and human services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our United Way joined with other United Ways from across the state in Harrisburg last year for a week of meetings with State Senators and Representatives on a variety of issues, including funding to implement and sustain a 2-1-1 system for Pennsylvania. Media Outreach. The key to successful advocacy is educating and informing people about the issues. Our United Way is routinely called upon to offer insight and speak on a number of critical issues impacting Lackawanna and Wayne Counties by members of the media. In additional to several local radio stations, Gary Drapek, president of our United Way, was invited

LIVE UNITED

ISN’T JUST A SLOGAN.

IT’S A WAY OF LIFE.

as a guest on WHYY’s Radio Times in Philadelphia to discuss the proposed state budget. He was also invited to participate in the Scranton TimesTribune’s Economic Summit Roundtable and wrote four guest editorials on a variety of issues surrounding the impact of public policy decisions on service delivery for nonprofits in the area and across the Commonwealth. Visit the News and Events section of our website at uwlc.net for links to news reports featuring our United Way throughout the year.

Why Cut What Works Campaign. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties once again joined with other United Ways and concerned nonprofits to advocate against continued state budget cuts. Through a multi-media campaign embracing print, electronic and social mediums, the outreach sought to inform policymakers and all Pennsylvania citizens about the very real people behind the budget line items being debated.

Be an Advocate :: What You Can Do Advocacy is defined by defending a cause and supporting or promoting the interests of another. In other words, effective advocacy goes far beyond public policy. The United Way needs people like you who are passionate about the education, income and health of our community to join us and champion the cause. We ask you to use your strong voice to make a difference for our community. Start by visiting us online at uwlc.net and signing up for our e-newsletter to stay informed on the issues that matter most. We invite you to connect with us through our Facebook and Twitter pages for up-to-the-minute updates about the community issues you care most about. Then, engage your co-workers, neighbors, family members and friends. Speak out about education, income and health. Write letters to your legislators or write letters to the editor of the newspaper. Wear your LIVE UNITED shirt with pride and roll up your sleeves as a United Way volunteer. There is simply no end to the ways that you can join the United Way movement to help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.

2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. In 1921, a group of concerned community members laid the foundation for the very first Community Chest in Scranton—precursor to what is today known as the United Way—on a Scranton-bound train following a Kiwanis convention. Those grassroots volunteers were true visionaries, and it is their dedicated community spirit that lives on in the thousands of people who carry on their tradition of caring by volunteering with United Way annually. The power of each of us to ignite the spark of compassion and lend a helping hand is an expression of the very best of what lies within each one of us. We owe our existence to the volunteers whose clarity of vision and oneness of purpose created our United Way, and we owe our success to those who followed in their footsteps and mobilized themselves to make a difference for those most in need. Thank you, Volunteers. An organization volunteers representing more than like United Way that takes a broad, 40 companies participated in Day of community-based focus can not Caring. The teams were comprised function without volunteers who support of employees, students, teachers, each facet of our work. Hundreds members of the military, business of volunteers work on the annual and government leaders and campaign each year whether it’s at other community-minded citizens. the Cabinet level, within individual The volunteer projects included companies, or individuals themselves landscaping, painting, cleaning, writing letters and making phone calls maintenance, client visitation and to garner support. As you can see on other essential tasks to benefit the the next page, more than 60 volunteers local nonprofits making a difference gave over 650 hours to ensure that in our community everyday. In those donor dollars raised during the addition, more than one and one-half Students from Old Forge High School spent the day volunteering at Telespond Senior Services during Youth Day of Caring ‘12. campaign would be carefully spent on tons of nutritious food was donated programs that deliver real, measurable results. Our Board of during our Day of Caring signature project—the inaugural Directors is made up of volunteers who share their unique skills Caring and Sharing Healthy Food Drive to benefit area food and expertise to offer guidance and direction. And even the pantries. Our Day of Caring volunteers prove that when caring programs themselves exist only with the support of volunteers. people united, anything is possible! Consider the astounding 2,000 hours that were given by the 26 trained and certified tax preparers as part of our Volunteer Youth Day of Caring. To encourage the next generation of Income Tax Assistance program. Our volunteers don’t just wear volunteers to participate at an early age, our United Way holds an annual Youth Day of Caring for students in grades the Live United shirt, they live their lives by the motto! And, did you know that according to the Independent Sector, the national 7-12. In 2011, more than 300 students were mobilized in 12 agencies. Both Days of Caring are generously sponsored by value of a volunteer’s time equates to an hourly rate of $21.79? Pennstar Bank. Thank you for sharing your time, talents and treasures with the United Way—and with the community! Joseph Mahon Volunteer of the Year Award. Atty. Joseph Mahon served for three years as the Chairman of the Board Day of Caring. Since 1994, the for our United Way. His tireless efforts on behalf of those United Way’s in need was unparalleled, and he became a daily fixture in Day of Caring the United Way office up until only days before his passing has been an in 1987. Joe exemplified the volunteer spirit that is the very annual tradition foundation of the United Way movement. As a tribute to this with the value spirit and constant reminder of all that is good about the of completed people of this region, the United Way established the Joseph projects A. Mahon Volunteer of the Year Award in 1988. This award is surpassing the not given annually and has only been presented a half dozen $1.5 million times since its inception. Rather it is reserved for those rare mark. In 2011, individuals who personify the ideals exhibited by Atty. Mahon. Sandy Chickeletti (left), M&T Bank Vice President and incoming United Way Board Chair with Nancy Jackson (right), Day of Caring Chair, at the Boys & Girls Club during Day of Caring. nearly 500

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

During the 2011 United Way Awards Celebration, we were delighted to present this award to Karen Murphy, CEO of the Moses Taylor Foundation, for her outstanding efforts as a true advocate for the United Way movement. A pivotal member of our Campaign Cabinet, Karen’s leadership has helped to open doors to new and increased Karen Murphy accepts the Joseph Mahon Volunteer of the Year Award from Gary Drapek, United Way president, during the 2011 giving from the medical Awards Celebration. community. In fact, nearly $825,000 was raised in the last two years in the Health Care Division which she co-chairs, and Karen has been instrumental in the success of major campaigns at such generous companies as Moses Taylor Hospital and the Physician’s Health Alliance, both of whom have been honored recently with the Spirit of Caring Chairman’s Awards. We are indebted to Karen for her passion and commitment to making our community stronger and healthier and salute her for carrying on Attorney Mahon’s tradition of exemplary service above self. Community Impact Fund Distribution. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is committed to our role as faithful stewards of the hard-earned resources entrusted to us by our loyal donors. The Community Impact Fund Distribution process helps ensure that the Partner Agency programs receiving United Way funding are creating measurable results in meaningful ways that make a difference. In both Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, dedicated volunteers meet annually to make difficult and critically important funding decisions to

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 2010-2011.

Investing in Youth & Children $448,323 Strengthening Families $500,387 Improving Community Health & Wellness $140,364 Helping Neighbors in Crisis $408,753 Supporting Older Adults $156,710 Caring for People with Special Physical or Mental Challenges $214,545

OUR VOLUNTEERS DON’T JUST WEAR THE SHIRT.

THEY LIVE IT. THANK YOU FOR LIVING UNITED. support these programs. Pages 9-10 of this publication detail the process in Wayne County. In Lackawanna County last year, 64 Community Impact volunteers — themselves United Way donors—volunteered 629 hours as they carefully scrutinized 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 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 the 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 for adults with special physical and mental challenges, quality programming for youth to caregiver support for adults, the United Way changes lives— because of you!

Our Fund Distribution Volunteers Represent: AAA North Penn • Allied Services • Bank of America • Baptist Bible College • Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania • The Commonwealth Medical College • The Dime Bank • Educational Opportunity Center, Inc. • EPSCO • Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank • First Liberty Bank & Trust • Gentex Corporation • Highlights for Children • The Honesdale National Bank • Jewish Home of Eastern PA • Keystone College • Keystone Financial Management • Loveshaw • LR Costanzo Co., Inc. • M&T Bank • Marywood University • Metropolitan Life Insurance Company • Moses Taylor Hospital • Northeast Child Care Services • ParenteBeard, LLC • Penn Security Bank • Pennstar Bank • PNC Bank • Prudential Financial • Quadrant EPP • Regional Hospital of Scranton • Schwartz Wealth Management • Scranton School District • The Scranton Times-Tribune • Thomas J Kelley and Associates • TMG Health • TR Tech Solutions • VaxServe, Inc. • Wayne Bank • Wayne County Area Agency on Aging • Wayne County Chamber of Commerce 2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

Statements of Financial Position For the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2011 with summarized comparative information for Fiscal Year 2010.

ASSETS

2011

2010

Cash - unrestricted Cash subject to donor restrictions Cash and cash equivalents Pledges receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible pledges of $227,085 and $225,189 Investments Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation Prepaid expenses Other receivables Beneficial interest in assets held by a community foundation

$ 2,256,412 6,433 $ 2,262,845

$ 1,957,120 5,228 $ 1,962,348

1,046,813 2,573,468

1,055,513 2,275,082

$ 6,069,400

Total assets

103,579 16,198 21,664

130,094 16,640 6,396

44,833

38,759 $ 5,484,8324

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

42,933 18,284 499,924 267,459 112,822 32,963 974,385

8,113 16,621 459,736 192,823 153,570 38,920 869,783

2,100,266 478,950

1,818,655 369,223

133,970 2,713,186

154,485 2,342,363

1,791,001 590,828 2,381,829 5,095,015 $ 6,069,400

1,752,857 519,829 2,272,686 4,615,049 $ 5,484,832

An independent audit was completed by McGrail, Merkel, Quinn and Associates for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and is available for review at the United Way office. 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 communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most compelling social problems.

2011 Board of Directors Chair Frank Kincel

Harold W. Baillie, Ph.D. University of Scranton

Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn Temple Israel

Senior Vice Chair Sandy Chickeletti Vice President, M & T Bank

Craig Best Penn Security Bank & Trust

Sister Anne Munley, IHM Marywood University

George Brown Highlights for Children

John Nalavenko

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 Tom Donohue VP/General Manager, Lamar Advertising Secretary Anne Salerno Scranton School District Treasurer John Canavan Honorary Lifetime Members Richard Marquardt Judith Graziano Immediate Past Chair Patricia Lynett Campaign Chairs Jim and Susan Brady

Edward F. Dempsey, Sr. Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney Kris E. Fendrock, Esq. Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP

Randy Palko First Liberty Bank & Trust Dr. Ann Pipinski Johnson College Robert Schwartz Schwartz Wealth Management

Alex Fried The P & G Paper Products Company

William Schweighofer The Honesdale National Bank

Dr. Paul Kaczmarcik Carbondale School District

Drew Simpson Carpenterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union Local 645

William King Scranton School District

John T. Tighe III TMG Health

Noelle Lynett

Cynthia Yevich The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Patricia Lynett James Manley PNC Investments

Elizabeth Zygmunt NEPA Business Journal

Patrick McMahon OnePoint, Inc.

Professional Staff Gary W. Drapek President and Chief Executive Officer Jack R. Evans Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

John J. Orbin Vice President, Resource Development/ Campaign Nikki Keller Vice President, Community Impact Marketing

Peg Kopko Vice President, Community Services

Stig B. Fromm Manager, Community Services

Elena Kozloski Manager, Office Services

Lisa Berardelli Director, Success By 6

Jaime Herrmann Manager, Community Impact

Daniel Nowakowski Manager, Campaign

William E. Cockerill, Jr. AFL/CIO Comm. Services Liaison

Maripat Kovalkoski Manager, Operational Systems

Elizabeth Vincent Manager, Campaign

2011-12 Annual Report :: uwlc.net

homelessness desperation unemployment recession hopelessness foreclosure failure

flood loneliness poverty

sadness emergency isolation abuse

hunger

illness

These are tough times...

fear

In the face of all this, its easy to give up. What difference does it make anyway? We’re glad you asked! In Lackawanna and Wayne Counties during 2011, you helped 8,034 households with emergency food—70% more than you helped last year. You assisted 1,907 families have a safe place to call home when emergency housing issues arose. Because of you, 734 households received emergency heating assistance and a safe, warm home—Here’s a big number to wrap your head around—that’s a 482% increase over last year. Way to go! When darkness descended inside and out, 356 households received after hours emergency assistance—there was literally nowhere else for them to turn. There are 102 brighter smiles and healthier mouths, because you helped 102 people of all ages receive over $57,000 of free dental care. Talk about doing a good turn—you helped 519 at-risk boys participate in Boy Scouts who otherwise might not have the chance. And one of those boys became an Eagle Scout. You also helped 472 at-risk girls participate in Girl Scouts. Maybe it was a school uniform or some new duds for a job interview, but whatever the reason, you put clothes on the backs of people from 4,332 families who received clothing assistance—up 64% from last year. If it wasn’t for you, they might be homeless, but you helped 20 new moms and their babies receive an average of 150 days in transitional housing to help them get a new start. When others had given up on them, you helped 37 at-risk teens know someone cared for them. In turn, they were motivated to provide over 65 hours of community service last year to help make our community better. Talk about paying it forward! There were 1,457 families with young children who visited the baby pantry to get diapers, food, clothing and other baby needs. While you were making supper for your family, you also fed meals to 705 homeless individuals and gave them shelter for the night. In fact, because of you, they were safe and warm for a combined total of 7,159 nights in a shelter. You’re really making an impact now! You supported help and healing by making available 2,923 hours of individual and family therapy. You were there when a whopping 3,032 at-risk youth had a Big Brother or Big Sister as a role model. When 117 area seniors had just been released from the hospital, it was you who delivered 1,818 warm, nutritious meals to them. In times of loss and economic uncertainty, you helped 554 unemployed or uninsured individuals receive medical care. Thanks to you, 1,986 children aren’t struggling to see the board at school anymore after receiving free vision screening. I bet you enjoy going shopping, going to the park or taking in a movie don’t you? Thanks to you, 1,120 residents of long-term care facilities got to take community outings like that and more. When all seemed lost, you facilitated emergency services for 468 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. After suffering abuse at the hands of someone they trusted, you were the one who kept 264 women and children safe from domestic violence by providing an average of 50 days of shelter in a safe house. You helped them move away from the violence to develop a personalized safety plan too. You aided 124 visually impaired individuals as they enjoyed 855 helpful visits to maintain their independence. You stood up for 210 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities when they received 2,236 hours of advocacy services. You helped 500 seniors overcome frailty and isolation to maintain independent living with the help of 100 Senior Companions who provided 212,982 hours of companionship. You offered affordable, educational, social and recreational services to over 3,939 children. You should feel really great about that! You helped 50 people with physical disabilities receive assistive technology services to remain functionally independent. Do you know who was behind the wheel when 63 dialysis patients received 6,552 trips for life-sustaining treatment? That’s right—you again. You’ve been busy haven’t you? 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.

That’s what difference it makes. 19

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties

THANK YOU FOR OPENING YOUR HEART

AND CHANGING LIVES. LIVE UNITED™

United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties 615 Jefferson Avenue PO Box 526 Scranton, PA 18501-0526 PO Box 328 Waymart, PA 18472 P: 570.343.1267 F: 570.969.2977