United Way 101: Income

We're committed to improving family financial stability. Having a stable income and financial situation is one of the building blocks of a good quality of life, and it’s directly intertwined with education and health. A better educated individual is more likely to have a stable income source. An individual with a stable income source has better access to health. A healthy individual is better able to work productively or attend school regularly.

At United Way of Central Florida, we are addressing the obstacles that prevent hard working families from getting ahead financially. Through our work with community partners like banks, churches, non-profit organizations, and schools, we are building a system to connect low income, working families with services to help them find success in their financial goals.

Our Income Steering Committee determined the target issue, outcomes, and indicators that all UWCF income programs are evaluated on. The target issue is to improve financial stability, with the intended goal of helping lower-income families, particularly those with young children, move toward financial independence. Clients who meet participation requirements for financial stability interventions will increase emergency savings, improve credit scores, improve employability, and/or increase income.

How are we meeting this goal?

To do this, we are building quality financial education classes to serve local workplaces, teaching families how to achieve $300 in emergency savings, and, eventually, three months of emergency savings. Personal saving and spending plans are now part of all intake operations at family service providers, and we're offering credit counseling through partner agencies to help people improve their credit scores. We also link families with Money Coach volunteers to encourage achievement of long-term assets.

The success of these programs will be measured by looking at bank statements, credit scores, job credentials like GED attainment or vocational certifications, or pay stubs. Families who participate in our programs will prove short term assets of $300 in emergency savings, improved credit scores, or employment credentials for higher pay; Intermediate assets of three months of emergency savings and/or reliable transportation for work; or long term assets of a sustainable home purchase, higher education, or a small business start-up.

What does it mean to you?

People who are financially stable have less stress, fewer health and domestic problems, and are less likely to need emergency social services. When a family has money in savings, emergency issues like car repair bills, unforeseen medical bills, or home repair bills will not cause a family to rely on others for assistance. When the bread winners in a family have certifications that allow for a higher income, families don't have to utilize government assistance to buy food or find housing, reducing the burden on everyone.

By driving lasting change, we are working together to create a more stable community for everyone, and that is a benefit for all of us.

How can you help?

• You can give. -- Because we partner with programs that show measurable improvements in the financial stabilty of people they touch, you can rest assured that your donation to the United Way of Central Florida is being put to good use. More than 240 community volunteers scrutinize our programs to determine their effectiveness. And money that is raised here, stays here, giving you the confidence that your contribution directly helps the citizens of Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. Donate now!
• You can advocate. -- Talk about United Way and the good that we do for the people in our community. Share our success stories with your friends and encourage them to become a part of our efforts. Share your knowledge of budgeting skills or classes to help learn financial skills with someone who may need the extra support to make permanent change in his or her life. Encourage friends and family to set and reach savings goals.
• You can volunteer. -- Become involved with one of our partner organizations that helps people learn the skills they need to prepare for a financial emergency. If you have a financial background, volunteer to teach the classes and workshops, or become a money coach. There are so many ways you can help! When we work together, we can do more than an individual can do on his or her own.

We invite you to be part of improving the financial stability of our community. Join with us and Live United!