Impact Areas

United Way of Summit County is striving to create sustanined change in our community through four specific Impact Areas. Here are some results in three of these areas:

Attaining Independence

Problem:

- Nearly 23,000 persons in Summit County 65+ years of age live alone.
- Over 6,000 children under the age of 5 live below the poverty level.
- 51% of African American children under 5 live below the poverty level.
- 25% of Summit County households have rent/mortgage payments greater than 30% of their household income.
- Summit County has insufficient community based long term care and affordable assisted living for seniors.
- 14.1% of Summit County residents are over 65; 6.8% are over 75 years of age.
- Summit County has insufficient jobs and job training for low income and low skilled workers


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to build an environment where individuals, seniors and families are provided the means to live independently and productively, and to achieve financial stability. Some of the programs that provide these results include:

* GED training for high school dropouts
* Court advocacy for battered women
* Vocational and job training services
* Homemaker and Home Health Aid services
* Respite Care services for caregivers
* Employment services for seniors and immigrants
* Transportation services for necessary trips



Results:

# Homemaker services enabled 230 elderly persons to continue living independently in their home
# Over 1,000 persons obtained or retained employment as a result of receiving vocational services training
# 300 persons learned to read last year as a result of adult literacy programs
# Over 1,100 non-driving older adults were provided transportation to medical appointments
# Twenty nine homeless and substance abuse addicted women obtained housing, employment and sobriety through residential treatment programs


Improving Health & Wellness

Problem:

- Over 50,000 persons in Summit County have no health care coverage – this restricts access to health care and the availability of prescription drugs
- 22% of Summit County children did not receive their complete immunization series by their second birthday; in parts of Akron over 50% did not
- Summit County residents in areas where the poverty rate is greater than 20% live 5.1 years less than those in areas where the poverty rate is less than 10%
- Summit County greatest health care need is dental care for poor children
- Childhood obesity in Akron and parts of Summit County is a growing problem


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to promote the overall mental and physical wellness of individuals and families in our communities. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Drug & alcohol prevention and treatment
* Health and Safety instruction programs
* Health information and education
* Cancer wellness services
* Support services for persons with HIV/Aids
* Physical education and recreation programs
* Prescription services
* Health and wellness programs
* Athletic leagues


Results:
# Nearly 1,600 adolescents became more knowledgeable about the risks of substance abuse and developed skills to resist pressure to experiment with illegal substances
# Nearly 500 children improved their academic and social skills through year round academic enrichment and physical fitness programs


Building Successful Children & Families


Problem:

- Nearly 52,000 Summit County citizens 25+ years old lack a high school diploma
- Immigration patters are changing Summit County – Asian American population increased 58.2% and Hispanic population increased 54.8% according to the last census
- Summit County has a lack of child care for sick kids and children with special needs
- Nearly 13% of African American men in Summit County are unemployed, compared to 4.2% for white males
- 12% of Summit County births were to mothers who had no first trimester prenatal care; for African American mothers the rate is 23.7%
- Summit County is experiencing growing rates of family violence and child abuse


Solution:

United Way of Summit County works with affiliated and community agencies to develop and support programs that ensure children are ready to succeed in school and are on track to become productive adults, as well as programs to nurture safe and self-sufficient families. Some of the programs that produce these results include:

* Youth mentoring programs
* Individual and family counseling
* Adoption services
* Teen Parent programs
* Immigration counseling
* Before & after school child care
* Pre-school development programs
* Parent/child family life education
* Leadership development for girls
* Skills development for children

Results:

# Over 1,000 middle school students understood the consequences of postponing sexual involvement and learned self esteem and assertiveness skills to help them put off sexual activity
# Nearly 1,300 persons increased awareness of their triggers for aggression and gained skills to manage their anger and deal with daily challenges in constructive ways.