You make it possible for United Way to bring people and organizations together to find the short-term and forwarding-thinking solutions our communities need now more than ever before.
As we approach 100 years of doing good in the community, we remain committed as ever to improving the lives of tens of thousands of vulnerable kids and families. Thank you for standing united and continuing to invest in our region’s kids.
Sincerely,
![[signed] Sean Edwards](/impact2019/images/sean-signature@2x.png)
Sean Edwards, Board of Directors Chair,
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
We have a simple, ambitious mission: Invest in our region’s kids so they are free from poverty and free to reach their potential.
Nonprofits & community partners, worked with in 2018–2019
pre-school classrooms and children enrolled
early learning kits, STEM kits, backpacks etc. distributed to low-income families
total received in EITC tax credits for 2,921 families
families in the region who received short term rent and utilities assistance through pooled funding
volunteer connections mobilized with 350+ organizations
This spring MyLin received her diploma. It was a joyous day that almost didn’t happen.
When MyLin was 16, her mother slipped into several comas before undergoing surgery. Overnight, MyLin became responsible for caring for her siblings and her grades plummeted.
That’s when Successful Families 2020, a collaborative established by United Way, stepped in.
SF2020 focuses on two school districts - David Douglas and Reynolds – that have higher levels of racial and cultural diversity among the students, higher numbers of families living in poverty and have struggled to provide students of color the support they need to graduate on time.
As a SF2020 co-lead located on site, Miki Hunnicutt reached out to MyLin. The two connected on many levels, coming from the same culture and being able to share experiences as Black women in Portland.
Miki went above and beyond to provide MyLin the support she needed to graduate – delivering MyLin’s homework if she missed class, driving her to and from school and always willing to just listen. Miki also checked in with MyLin’s family regularly, making sure they had access to resources. When it looked impossible for MyLin to catch up on her diploma requirements, Miki met with teachers to develop a plan for success with MyLin and her mother.
Since the launch of SF2020 five years ago, United Way has seen improved outcomes for students of color and their families. While Oregon has the 4th worst graduation rate in the nation, there was a 9% increase in graduation rates for SF2020 students in 2018-19.
Now with her diploma in hand, MyLin is excited to pursue a degree in journalism at Seattle Pacific University.
Based on the 17-18 IRS Form 990
Our financial information
| Individual | 1,703,023 | 7% | |
| Workplace | 9,887,837 | 42% | |
| Foundation | 480,427 | 2% | |
| Government | 10,808,498 | 46% | |
| *Other | 650,286 | 3% | |
| * Includes investment revenue, fee for service and miscellaneous | |||
86 cents of every dollar you donate
goes directly to community programs
