Return to flip book view

2022-23COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT

100 years ago, local community leaders at the Mason City Chamber ofCommerce created what we know today as United Way of NorthCentral Iowa. In 1923, the Mason City Chamber of Commercerecognized the need to create a subdivision that met the changingsocial needs of Mason City citizens. While our role in the communityhas changed throughout the years, the legacy continues on: UnitedWay brings together the resources of thousands of individuals andorganizations to make a difference for local people in need. This Annual Community Impact Report is a reflection of the enduring commitment and support of ourdonors, partners, staff and volunteers to continue our work building a strong and thriving community.We are often asked, what is United Way? In truth, it is you, it is me, it is all of us, working together toaddress community need. Working with our community partners, businesses, government, and partneragencies, we work to provide resources when and where they are needed. As we reflect on the pastyear, the one word that comes to mind most often is impact. In the following pages, you will see what can be accomplished by a community working together. Weare proud of the way that North Central Iowans have responded to our community’s changing needs. This report celebrates the vast impact we can make through compassion and collaboration. We hopeto celebrate where we are, while bringing attention to where we need to go. Sincerely, Jen ArendsCEOUnited Way of North Central Iowa1A MESSAGE FROM THE CEOJen Arends

Investing in the building blocks of a good life builds a strong community.Education Ensuring early childhoodsuccess and healthytransition to college orcareer.Financial StabilityFamilies and individualsare given the tools toachieve financialstability and avoid crisis.HealthFamilies and individualshave access to basicneeds, nutrition, safetyand health care.Our organization partners with and supports 21 funded nonprofit services, mobilizing a community-wide movement that works to ensure all neighbors have access to education, income and health—thebuilding blocks of opportunity. At United Way of North Central Iowa, our mission is connecting people, impactinglives, and strengthening communities. We believe strong communities need strong resources. We work with supporters from labor,philanthropic, education, civic, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, as well as the community as awhole, to create opportunity for all North Iowans. The Community FundThe United Way Community Fund investments focus on prevention and theapplication of best practices to create a significant impact for local people inneed. Community Fund programs provide a regional network of supportservices and safety nets to help people across all walks of life and levels of need. As the Community Fund grows, so will United Way’s ability to move the needle on solutionsto our community’s most critical challenges. United Way’s investment process is powered bycommunity volunteers. Volunteers review each program and allocate the Community Fund to themost impactful programs. Investing in Powerful Change2

Driving Lasting ChangeEducation1,063 Studentshad the groundwork laid forcontinued educational success.Financial Stability1,008 North Iowansreceived assistance to stabilize acrisis, remain or attain housing, andbuild savings for the future.Health 26,022 North Iowansgot access to health, safety andnutrition programs they need to livesafe and healthy lives.United Way Shoe Drive andCoat Drive1,163 childrenreceived a new pair of shoes or anew coat for the school year.31,259 North Iowans have been directlyimpacted by our investment andprogramsDolly Parton ImaginationLibrary1,795 childrenbuilt literacy skills by receiving abook a month until their 5th birthday.211741 North Iowanshad their calls for help answered.We are steadfast in measuring our performanceand impact so that we can learn what’s workingand where we are most effective. We help maximize the impact of your giving byfocusing on three key areas: education, financialstability and health. We create, lead and invest inprograms that improve access and opportunity inthese overlapping, interdependent areas. We work to ensure more of our young people arefinding success in their education and preparedfor success in college or career, more localfamilies are financially stable and more neighborsour living healthy lives. By the numbers, our program investments had adirect impact on over 31,000 north Iowans, nearly1 in 4 north Iowans. 3

United Way Program Impact48% of children are enrolled inpreschool27.3% of UWNCI 3rd Graders are not reading at proficiency.According to the Iowa Youth Survey, 50% ofIowa’s 6th, 8th, and 11th graders had thoughtabout completing suicide in the past year.42.16% of K-12 students are eligible forfree and reduced lunch1,795 Kids registered in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.1,063 Kids impacted by United Way funded education programming.94.7 % of youth in United Way education programs feel cared about in their community anddevelop a positive self-concept and a positive outlook on their future prospects.95.85% of youth in education programs improved their grades/reading skills, and saw improvedacademic outcomes.96% of high school students participating in a United Way education program increasedawareness and interest in career pathways. 4EducationUnited Way leads strategic partnerships, invests in local programs, and mobilizes volunteers focused on:Improving SchoolReadinessAcademic SuccessAdvancing Life Skills andpersonal DevelopmentUnited Way invests in programs and services that help students enter school ready to learn, succeedin school, and develop assets during out-of school time. Our strategic initiatives and partnershipsuse innovative and promising approaches to help all children succeed. Education SnapshotUnited Way Program ImpactAdrian, a teen in special education in high school, needed extra help completing hisassignments. He was not social and he found it difficult to communicate with thosearound him, even his own mother. His school work was seriously starting todeteriorate and he decided to join IJAG, a United Way funded program that helpsstudents change their trajectory. They provide mentoring, academic tutoring, andjob training/placement for low-income students. As soon as he entered theprogram, he was willing to make friends and become more social with hisclassmates, even collaborating with students from another school on IJAGprojects. He used different project activities to help him connect and communicatebetter with others, especially his mother.

30% of North Iowans live below the ALICESurvival Threshold, meaning that while they areemployed, they cannot make ends meet.United Way Program Impact13% of kids under the age of 18 livein poverty, rates are higher for blackchildren (51.9%) and Hispanicchildren (30.12%).18% of households in the UWNCI region areconsidered cost burdened, meaning housingcosts exceed 30% of their income.According to the most recent ALICEStudy, the average monthly cost for childcare for a family of four is $1,7505Financial StabilityUnited Way leads strategic partnerships, invests in local programs, and mobilizes volunteers focused on:United Way supports programs and services that help struggling north Iowans meet their basicneeds, find safety and housing, and maintain employment. We address the causes of poverty, ratherthan simply treating the effects. Financial Stability SnapshotUnited Way Program ImpactA grandmother was living with her two grandchildren on an extremely lowincome when in the middle of winter, their furnace went out. She was not surewhere to turn and didn’t have the $4,500 to pay for a replacement. She quicklyfound herself and her grandchildren in a dangerous situation in an Iowawinter. She was referred to the NIACOG Housing Trust Fund, a United Wayfunded partner which helps make emergency repairs to the homes of low-income, disabled and/or elderly neighbors. They were able to replace herfurnace and she and her grandchildren are living in safety.Meeting basic needsSafety and HousingneedsPromoting StableEmployment1,008 North Iowans participated in United Way Financial Stability Programs.996 people received emergency assistance.96.76% of clients remain in and or transitioned to improved, stable living conditions.94.89% of UW financial stability participants were able to have their basic needs met.99.3% of UW financial stability participants were able to maintain or find employment.82.5% of participants served established and are maintaining a budget.

United Way Program Impact47% of abused or neglected childrenin north central were age five oryounger. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experiencedcontact sexual violence*, physical violence, orstalking by an intimate partner with a negative impact 6HealthUnited Way leads strategic partnerships, invests in local programs, and mobilizes volunteers focused on:United Way supports programs that provide access to essential health care services and othersupports for optimal health and well-being. We invest in strategic partnerships that addressemerging community issues and systemic problems that create barriers to health.Health SnapshotUnited Way Program ImpactSheryl, a foster parent in North Iowa, attended a Darkness to Light trainingprovided by United Way funded partner, Crisis Intervention Service as part oftheir Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program. Darkness toLight offers training that specializes in the education and prevention of childsexual abuse, other forms of abuse, and mandated reporting. She expressedher sorrow to the Prevention Specialist about all the children she had knownwho had shown signs of abuse, but she simply hadn’t known what to look for.She left the training feeling more confident and informed, better equipped tohelp the children who come into her life. 17,102 people were impacted by a UW Health program.89.46% of people were successfully linked with services.91.59% of program participants found safety. 96.55% of people developed healthy relationships and gained knowledge about safe and healthyrelationships.100% of those in need of food gained access to food and nutrition services.93.5% of program participants became free of abuse and neglect. Providing Access toHealthcareEnsuring Safety Supporting Strong Families7.9% of north Iowans are food insecure,the state of being without reliableaccess to a sufficient quantity ofaffordable, nutritious food.According to the Iowa Youth Survey, 14% ofrespondents stated they were 12 or younger whenthey first drank alcohol.

43 North Iowa Program: Community ConnectionsThe purpose of CC is to increase job readiness and employment outcomes leading toincreased financial stability for this population. CC provides support and resources,beyond general support services, to help these young people on their paths to employmentwho may otherwise not have supports and resources available to them. 43 North Iowa Program: Transitional Living SupportsTransitional Living Services ensure clients meet their medical, mental health and dailyliving needs in a variety of settings from residential to community living. Staff membershelp clients manage their daily lives by providing opportunities for self-care, skill building,community engagement, & link to supports. The purpose is to support individuals as theytransition from one level of care to another where gaps in funding occur. Individuals oftenmove from intensive to community support. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque Iowa Program: Jail & Prison Reentry ServicesThe main goal of the Jail & Prison Reentry Services program is to assist formerlyincarcerated individuals establish a self-sufficient lifestyle where their basic needs are metso they will stay out of jail and not reoffend. Catholic Charities provides case managementto help clients navigate the system during their adjustment and transition back intosociety. Clients begin by completing a Self-Sufficiency matrix to identify areas of need andthen develop personalized goals to guide them in applying for jobs, securing affordablehousing, etc. Cedar Valley Friends of the FamilyProgram: Rapid Housing InitiativeThe goal of the Rapid Housing Initiative is to end homelessness in North Central Iowa byproviding client assistance such as rent/utility support along with case managementservices that assist clients in finding/securing affordable housing. FOF follows the"Housing First" model that aims to house people with the highest barriers quickly, givingthem the opportunity to meet their most basic needs while building a support system andworking towards financial stability by increasing their income. Counties Served: Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago andWorth7Community Impact Partner Programs

Charlie Brown Community Day Care Program: Child Care Assistance for Low-Income FamiliesThe purpose of this program is to serve families who are struggling to pay for child carewhen trying to begin or maintain employment and need quality child care for their children.Currently, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) requires a 30-45 day waiting periodfor anyone who is applying for their child care assistance (CCA) program. This makes itnearly impossible for someone who cannot afford child care to begin/maintain a job. Community Kitchen Program: Nutritional Meals for those in needThe Community Kitchen works to meet hunger needs in the North Iowa area. Located inMason City, they provide a noon meal six days a week and an evening meal four nights aweek. They also provide additional bread and bakery items to individuals who stop in. Theyshare any abundance of donated food items with the local Food Bank. Crisis Intervention Services (NIAD Center for Human Development) Program: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Other Violent Crimes Intervention ProgramCIS provides a holistic approach, blending prevention, education, crisis response, supportiveservices, housing assistance, community organizing and collaborative partnerships to bettermeet the needs of victims of violence in North Central Iowa. The payoff for safe housing andcrisis response is immediate and tangible. CIS doesn't necessarily fix every problemovernight but works with the individual/family to develop a course of action. Crisis Intervention Services (NIAD Center for Human Development) Program: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault PreventionCrisis Intervention Service provides evidence & research-based violence prevention &education programming for all age levels. Programming addresses individual, relational,community, and societal levels. Prevention is the key to reducing abuse, but it takes time.The results of violence prevention are not immediate. While CIS may see small individualchanges tomorrow, it will take 10+ years of deliberate prevention programming to impactmeaningful social change. 8

Food Bank of IowaProgram: Fighting Childhood Hunger in North Central IowaThe goal of both the Backpack and School Pantry Programs is to help alleviate childhunger through the provision of food to children and their families at school. TheBackpack Program provides shelf-stable, nutritious weekend meals which are easy toopen and prepare to help kids come to school nourished and ready to learn on Mondaymorning. School pantries operate like traditional pantries but are located on schoolgrounds providing convenient access for families in need. YSS-Francis Lauer Program: Emergency Services ShelterYSS-Francis Lauer Youth Services operates a co-ed shelter for children primarilybetween the ages of 12 and 17. The Child Welfare Emergency Services (CWES) Shelteroperates 24 hours per day, seven days per week and is licensed through the state ofIowa Department of Human Services, Department of Inspections and Appeals. Up to 15children can be served on a daily basis with an average daily census of 6 children. Friends of Iowa CASA and ICFCRB Program: North Iowa CASAThe North Iowa Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program recruits, trains andsupports community volunteers who advocate for children who are victims of abuseand/or neglect. CASAs are appointed by a judge to provide focused, individualizedadvocacy for children who have been adjudicated as CINA - Child in Need of Assistance.CASAs submit a written report to the court for each hearing involving the child, allowingthe judge to make more informed decisions in the child's best interest. IJAG Program: Driving Youth Success in Education and Careers in North Central IowaIJAG believes people are more powerful than circumstances. iJAG helps Mason City,Forest City and Algona youth tap into that potential to change the trajectory of theirlives. They provide mentoring, academic tutoring, job training/placement for low-incomestudents; activities which raise graduation rates, help students access living-wageemployment, and establish long-term self-sufficiency. iJAG provides an evidence-based,comprehensive school-to-career program for students who face barriers to success.Iowa Legal Aid Program: Financial Stability ProjectIowa Legal Aid makes hope, dignity and justice available to low-income Iowans throughlegal assistance and education that protects fundamental rights, basic necessities andaccess to the judicial system; challenges policies and practices that harm low-incomepersons; and empowers clients to advocate effectively for themselves and theircommunities. 9

Lutheran Services of Iowa Program: Early Childhood ProgrammingThe overall purpose of this program is to promote child They’ll being and prevent childabuse. The following are the activities provided to families: 1. Assessment helps planservices in the areas of family history, child development, depression, and domesticviolence 2. Goal setting addresses the family's unique interests 3. Referrals help meetfamily needs 4. Evidence-based curriculum is used for parent education 5. Parent/childInteraction is assessed and guided to create positive attachment. Lutheran Services of Iowa Program: Families TogetherFamilies Together is a free, voluntary, in-home prevention program for at-risk families ofchildren ages 0-18 that live in a 7 county area including Floyd, Mitchell, and Franklin.Trained staff use evidence-based curriculum to support and educate families in an effortto prevent abuse and increase positive outcomes. Connections to local resources helpimprove self-sufficiency. It is the only program in the area to provide in-home services atno cost to families of children over the age of six. Meals on Wheels Program: Meals for the HomeboundThe goal of the Meals on Wheels program is to provide nutritious meals to people whohave difficulty making their own for varying reasons including health, physical or mentaldisabilities, and more; and have limited or no ability to procure them in other ways dueto transportation issues, immune problems, finances, or mobility concerns. Participantsreceive nutritious meals made under the care of registered dieticians according to theirdiet needs which are delivered to them at their homes. NIACOG Housing Trust Fund Program: Housing Trust FundThe purpose of the program is to assist low income households who are primarilyelderly and/or disabled, with emergency home repairs. Typical projects include: furnacerepair/replacement, handicapped ramps, resolving electrical issues, repair/replacementof water heaters, and making bathroom accessibility alterations. Funds may bepartnered with other programs when available to address as much need as possible. NICAO Program: Outreach ProgramNICAO will assist families in obtaining and maintaining affordable housing througheducation. Case managers will help families set goals to improve their socioeconomicstatus. NICAO will assist families in creating a working budget. Case managers willeducate families regarding their banking needs, and if families are unbanked casemanagers will guide them. Families will receive rental assistance to help them overcomethe obstacles or crises they face when trying to set money aside for an emergency fund.10

North Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Council Program: Satellite Child Protection CenterThe purpose for a satellite CPC in North Central Iowa is to have partnerships withrelated agencies to provide a comprehensive, coordinated approach to an identified gapin child abuse investigation and intervention. This will enhance access to an integratedsystem that addresses the need for investigation, examination, prosecution, advocacy,and mental health services for those served. Northern Lights Alliance for the Homeless Program: Homelessness to PermanentHousingThis program is designed to provide financial assistance to clients exiting shelter into apermanent housing situation. The goal is to assist clients in maintaining the housingthey transition to, entering a rental agreement can cost betTheyen $1,000 and $2,500.Clients exiting shelter have trouble acquiring that amount of money, this programsupplements their budget. Having the extra funds allows them to afford the up frontpayment and sets them up for success. RSVP Program: Reading BuddiesThe Reading Buddy program is an elementary school literacy program that addressesthe needs of developing readers. Multiple volunteers meet with students on differentdays of the week, so each student receives approximately 30-60 minutes of extrareading per week. Volunteers help students with letter and sight word identification,pronunciation, as well as fluency and comprehension skills. This one-on-one, extraattention helps improve the student’s reading skills and attitude towards reading. 11

Dolly Parton Imagination Library 14,928Books Mailed in 202291%Agree or strongly agree85%Agree or strongly agree86%Agree or strongly agree95%Agree or strongly agree72%Agree or strongly agree“My daughter is almost two and a half and has delayed speech. Since starting this program we havebeen reading together more and she has picked up many more words and I truly believe it is becauseof this program. I cant thank you all enough.” --DPIL Parent 12United Way gifts free books to children birth up to fiveyears old living in our eight-count region.Impact for Kindergarten ReadinessUnited Way of North Central Iowa launched DollyParton Imagination Library in January 2021 to impactKindergarten Readiness. The Imagination Library is aproven strategy that helps promote early literacy andearly numeracy, key skills for kindergarten Readiness.In North Iowa, 6,843 kids are eligible for Dolly PartonImagination Library.Percent of Children Enrolled from ALICEHouseholds in 2022The Imagination Library Program eliminates barriersand provides access to books for all children agesbirth to five. United Way of North Central Iowa isfocused on reaching children who live in ALICEneighborhoods. ALICE describes families who areAsset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Between families in poverty and those who are ALICE, almost half (49%) ofchildren in the U.S. in 2019 lived in households with income below the ALICEThreshold, struggling to afford essentials in the communities where they lived.(ALICE Report, 2022).63% of enrolledchildren live inALICE zip codes30% of North Central IowaFamilies are ALICE. ALICEZip Codes are identifiedby areas where 30% ormore of the populationlive below the ALICEThreshold and struggle tomake ends meetMy child looks forward toreceiving the ImaginationLibrary book in the mail eachmonth.2022 DPIL Parent Survey ResultsMy child’s enthusiasm forbooks has increased sincereceiving ImaginationLibrary books.I spend more time reading tomy child because of theImagination Library book.Receiving the books hasreminded me how importantreading is to my child'sdevelopment.I feel the Imagination Libraryprogram has helped my childprepare for kindergarten byimproving their literacy.

30%Housing andShelterAssistance11.8%UtilityAssistance9.7%FoodAssistance901Contacts132022 North Iowa 2-1-1 Summary2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, non-emergency telephonenumber provided by United way that connects people withthe help they need. 2-1-1 saves time and frustrationthrough highly-trained specialists who match people to theright agency based on your individual needs. The 24-hour,365 days a year line makes it easy to navigate the maze ofhuman service providers and helplines. All calls are free,anonymous and confidential.TOP NEEDS FOR 2022 WEREUnited Way Volunteering Report 20222022 Day of Caring11 DOCProjects91Volunteers2,244 volunteer hoursdonated$67,207.80 donated involunteer time791 Pairs of Shoesgiven away2022 Kids Shoe Drive