Meet Mikeesha: Another Reason to Donate to United Way

Meet Mikeesha Perry, a HOPE Initiative participant, who is making a better life for herself thanks to support from United Way. 

The HOPE Initiative (Health, Opportunity, Prosperity and Education) strengthens families by setting goals, removing barriers and connecting them with education, income and health resources through United Way and partner agencies in our community.

Last year, HOPE worked with 42 families with 104 children and saw the following outcomes:

• 100% of families maintained their income while working toward their goals and 60% increased their income through work.
• 45% of families started HOPE experiencing homelessness and now 86% have stable housing.
• 63% of parents attended degree or certificate programs to improve family income.
• All school-aged children passed all their classes with a C or better and are advancing to the next grade.
  

HOPE works with single-parent families on a pathway out of poverty toward self-sufficiency. Through a multi-generational, integrated and comprehensive approach, HOPE provides case management to families and connects them with education, income and health resources. United Way provides funding for case management, job training, child care, transportation, rent and utilities, food assistance, legal services, mental health services, soft skills training and fees related to high school equivalency testing.

To participate in HOPE, families must meet the following criteria: single parent, children living in the home, within income guidelines (30% of median area income or 100% of poverty level; for a family of four, that's about $24,000.) HOPE works to improve the following measures in all participating families:

• Increase in income and monthly resources; reduction in debt
• Quarterly Temperature Check: self-assessment of how each family is doing and the progress they are making
• In collaboration with agency case managers, families identify 3-5 additional goals relative to each family's needs from a menu of success indicators in the areas of education, income and health.
  

If you haven’t donated yet, please consider doing so. This simple act can make a big difference for so many people in our communities. Contact Courtney Croatt or Whitney Anderson for your pledge form.