For 55 years, United Way of Long Island has been a unifying force that brings together community leaders, organized labor, faith-based groups, corporations, nonprofit organizations and governments. Together, we create sweeping change that benefits entire communities, in your backyard and around the region. In 2018, United Way of Long Island’s network of care served 1 in 3 Long Islanders. The following data is a Year in Review of outcomes achieved in partnership with United Way of Long Island’s 106 community-based organizations and programs helping people when they need it most and when crisis strikes.
IMPROVING EDUCATION (CHILDHOOD & YOUTH SUCCESS)
- 21,369 children participated in early learning programs.
- 43,278 children and teens participated in tutoring, homework assistance or educational enrichment programs.
- 36,237 children and teens participated in recreation and social development programs.
- 43,292 teens and young adults participated in at risk youth, gang prevention or re-entry programs.
- 7,000+ students received school supplies through the Stuff-A-Bus Campaign.
- 111 teens received a United Way DREAMS for Youth scholarship or other monetary award.
FINANCIAL STABILITY (ECONOMIC MOBILITY)
- $1.9 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) were returned to approximately 1,700 low-income earners.
- 19,703 families participated in homelessness prevention or housing programs.
- 8,029 people participated in job training and employment preparation programs.
- 53,644 people participated in financial literacy programs.
- 932 families received emergency heating assistance through Project Warmth.
- 13,932 veterans participated in programs for U.S. veterans.
- 82 young adults and veterans acquired career skills and credentials for better jobs by participating in YouthBuild and VetsBuild.
- Everyone Rides NICE participating organizations assisted 1,942 of their clients in need of NICE Bus metro cards for critical transportation to work, school, medical & benefits appointments or searching for a job.
ACCES TO HEALTH
- 16,540,462 healthy meals were served by food pantries, home delivery, shelters and served meal programs.
- 121,859 children, families and seniors accessed health related services, including those for autism, home health care and pre-natal care.
- 261,765 clients received assistance from the Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP).
- 325,861 counseling sessions gave people experiencing mental health challenges someone to turn to.
- 159,291 counseling sessions were conducted for people experiencing opioid and other addiction challenges.
- 14,085 people participated in developmental or intellectual disabilities programs.
- 27,000+ individuals received savings of $3.5 million through the FamilyWize Discount Prescription Program – an average saving of 39% in the areas of mental health, infections, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and others.
- 25,274 people were served by domestic violence or child abuse programs.
- 5,000+ children participated in the Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Initiative to reduce obesity.
- 6,000+ families received important information through BeReadyLI to prepare before, during and after a disaster.
- 3,147 individuals received medical and supportive services through the Ryan White Part A/MAI program, managed by United Way.
- 8 United Way-supported housing projects were built to address the health needs of families.
2-1-1 LONG ISLAND
- 10,718 calls for help were answered by the 2-1-1 Long Island Call Center. The 2-1-1 Long Island website received 312,897 visits.
SUPER STORM SANDY, OPERATION RECOVERY & REBUILD
- Approximately $1.2 million in support and grants from the Robin Hood Foundation were deployed to impact lower-income families on Long Island with continuing needs due to Super Storm Sandy.
*Individuals may participate in more than one program.
Data and statistics are to date as of January 2019