1. Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

2. Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
For more than 80 years, United Way has been using its expertise to make the central Maryland region stronger.
Now we’re focused on the building blocks of a good life:
education
income
health & safety.
Because with quality education, a stable job, access to affordable housing and a home free from violence and abuse, people thrive.
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

3. Education School Readiness
Goal: Every child in central Maryland will enter kindergarten fully ready to learn.
Why is this work important?
Research shows there is a strong connection between a child’s early experiences and his/her successes in school and later in life.
In , 32% of children were not fully ready to learn. (MD State Department of Education)
Quality child care ranks in the top three household expenses in every jurisdiction in central Maryland. (MD Child Care Resource Network)
Target Population: children birth to age 6 at heightened risk. 32% of Maryland’s young children live in low-income families. (National Center for Children in Poverty)
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

4. Education Youth Achieving Potential
Goal: Give youth an opportunity to develop to their full potential, becoming young adults who are economically self-sufficient.
Why is this work important?
The Rand Corporation estimated that each high school dropout costs between $188,086-$297,188 in current dollars per year, pulling from government services and welfare.
5,200 high school students in central Maryland dropped out of school last year.
8% of teens are not attending school and are not working
In , 38,800 (11% of total public school enrollment) students were suspended last year.
Sources: MD State Department of Education, Kinds Count 2007
Target Population: youth ages 6 to 18 demonstrating the greatest need million young people (nearly ½ of the population nationally) – live in situations that put them at risk of not living up to their potential according to Mentoring.org
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

5. Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
Income Basic Needs
Goal: People in the region, particularly those living in poverty, will be able to afford housing and access to other critical necessities.
Why is this work important?
The 2008 fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $1,103. In order to afford this rent, individuals must earn $19.48 per hour or work 3.2 full-time minimum wage jobs. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
20% of Marylanders were paying 50% of more of their monthly income on rental costs. (U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey)
More than 17,000 people were served in central Maryland homeless shelters last year. Nearly 23% of them were under the age of 17. (2006 State of Maryland Department of Human Resources)
% of renters unable to afford two-bedroom fair market rent.
Anne Arundel
39%
Baltimore City
73%
Baltimore County
47%
Carroll
48%
Harford
46%
Howard
33%
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

6. Health & Safety Family Safety
Goal: Making sure people are free from violence and abuse in their homes and relationships.
Why is this work important?
Research by the U.S. Department of Justice indicates victims do not report to police, friends or family.
12 children out of every 1000 are victims of child abuse and neglect. (Child Maltreatment 2006)
There were 494 forcible rapes in central Maryland in 2006.
Children who experience maltreatment are at risk for adverse health effects and behaviors as adults. Women who have experienced serious abuse face overwhelming mental and emotional distress.
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

9. United Way wants everyone involved, to bring every resident of central Maryland to the table to make a difference.
We already know that school readiness, youth achieving potential, basic needs and family safety are integral to the well-being of our community. We want everyone else to know how important these things are too.
And it’s not just about money.
Advocacy and volunteerism are necessary parts of the equation
People can stand up and demand action. Or lift a hand and do it themselves.
Regardless, it has to be done together.

10. Ready to get involved?