As many as one-third of working Americans do not earn enough money to meet their basic needs. Wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, and education and currently, 40 million Americans are working in low-paying jobs without basic health and retirement benefits. For families walking a financial tightrope, unable to save for college, a home, or retirement, United Way is here to help.
Our Goal:
United Way of Madison County is focused on increasing the financial stability of lower income families in our community.
One of our in-house initiatives is the CASH program - Creating Assets, Savings and Hope. This program allows us to prepare tax returns for free for those families earning $50,000 or less. In 2010 we were able to serve 567 families which resulted in refunds of $1.1mm, $488,000 in EITC credits and $210,000 in child tax credits.
Programs that we fund also allow us to serve those in need in our community. By partnering with The Salvation Army, Family Services Center and the Catholic Center of Concern we are able to provide transitional housing and emergency shelter to those in need. Working with The Arc of Madison County, Family Services Center and Christmas Charities Year Round allows us to serve the economically disadvantaged by providing them with assistance and information so that they can take the steps necessary towards becoming economically self sufficient. The American Red Cross has two programs that we fund that provide information about resources in the community that enables those in a crisis situation to have economic stability. Family Services Center also has a program in place that we fund that provides for financial literacy education for the lower income population.
Working together, we are taking steps towards our 2018 goal of increasing by 50% the lower income families who becomes financially stable. United Way of Madison County supports nine (9) programs administered by our Collaborative Partners that serves approximately 5,800 individuals annually.
Our Intended Outcomes:
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Individuals and families know and access the resources in the community. |
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Families have access to affordable daycare (child, disabled, and seniors). |
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Individuals and families are economically self-sufficient. |
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Individuals are financially literate. |
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Individuals and families have access to emergency and/or transitional housing. |
Click HERE to see a list of all our Income Collaborative Partner Programs.