1. BE A UNITED WAY COMMUNITY HERO AND CREATE PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY!

2. DRASTIC TIMES CALL FOR DRASTIC MEASURES… 1 in 5 children lives in poverty. 51,000 people are homeless, 9,000 are veterans. 435,000 of our student’s don’t graduate.

3. Steve’s Story Steve Keesel served in the U.S. Army and is a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq. When he was discharged, he had every intention of attending Long Beach State under the G.I. bill. Post-traumatic stress disorder led to chemical dependency. He ended up homeless and living out of his car.

4. Precious’ Story Precious was struggling in school. She suffered low self- esteem and lacked positive role models. “Most kids in my neighborhood are in gangs and feel like college isn’t for them.”

5. Christina’s Story Christina Simmons is wife to a former U.S. Marine and mother to a seven year-old boy. Her husband was deployed three times, leaving Christina as a single parent, struggling to make ends meet. When he returned the job market was worse and they both faced unemployment.

6. CAN we conquer these challenges and improve the quality of life for these people and THOUSANDS MORE just like them?!

7. YES we can, with the help of United Way Community Heroes just like YOU!

8. THANKS to the investment of your money, time and your voice, we’re making great progress towards FIGHTING poverty.

9. Provide job training and financial literacy so families can be stable. Help more students graduate from high school prepared for college and the workforce. Reduce homelessness in our neighborhoods. Our plan tackles poverty by addressing its root causes. Join Us As We Create Pathways Out of Poverty!

10. Reducing Homelessness Through Housing Stability Since our 10-year plan launched in 2007, homelessness is down from 73,000 to 51,000. HomeWalk has mobilized 28,000 participants, raised $2.2 million and helped move 12,000 families, individuals and vets into permanent housing. Last year we launched the Home For Good Funders Collaborative, a partnership of 19 public and private funders. By working with the VA, Housing Authorities of LA City, LA County and Long Beach and regional providers we helped reduce the time it takes to move a vet from the streets into housing from 168 to 100 days.

11. Increasing Educational Achievement Over 24,000 students received after-school support in either Math or English. Since 2007, we’ve been tracking 2,000 8th grade students, 84% have successfully completed 9th grade & 71% have successfully completed 10th grade. Our Leadership Matters program has seen a proficiency rate increase in English Language Arts of 13% and 12% in math. We’ve successfully influenced a new teachers union contract through a coalition of parents, civil rights, community groups and other non- profits with “Don’t Hold Us Back” campaign.

12. Financial Stability Over 39,000 tax returns were prepared for free under the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) campaign, bringing over $40M in refunds to low-to moderate income families and individuals. 3,000 adults completed classes In financial education. 5,600 adults received job skills training. 4,200 adults received new jobs or advanced in their career.

13. Celebrating Our Real Heroes ! Steve is now housed through permanent supportive housing. He has the ongoing support he needs to stay clean and sober. He serves as a mentor to other veterans dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.

14. Precious has her sights set on attending Cal State Long Beach. She dreams of becoming a pathologist Here she is as she was about to board a plane for the first time, on her way to Washington D.C. for United Way’s Youth Empowerment Summit where she met Senator Diane Fienstein and Phildalephia Eagles Cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha. Celebrating Our Real Heroes !

15. Through job training Christina accepted a position at US Bank. She and her family are getting back on her feet. “My dream is now more of a reality where we can not only support ourselves but save enough to send our son to college.” Celebrating Our Real Heroes !

16. Become A United Way Community Hero! $ 10/week  Provides after-school tutoring to a middle school student who is struggling. $15/week  Helps a homeless individual move into housing with services to keep them off the streets $21/week  Provides job training for a single parent and allows you to join United Way’s Leadership Circle. GIVE ! VOLUNTEER! ADVOCATE!

17. TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY! Go to WorkplaceHero.org