United Way of the Mid-South

1. United Way of the Mid-South

2. Education • Why it's so important for our region: • Research confirms reading level by 3rd grade is an important benchmark for high school graduation and future school success. Our region scores poorly in 3rd grade reading proficiency. • Some examples of what United Way does: • Funding after-school education programs • Helping increase the number of academic tutors and mentors • Helping nonprofits and schools work together for common goals

4. Financial Stability • Why it’s so important for our region: • Over 20% of Mid-Southerners live in poverty • Over 40% of children in Memphis live in poverty. • Some examples of what United Way does: • Bringing volunteers, nonprofits and other resources together to support people in poverty • Steering people in poverty to services helping people achieve greater financial self-sufficiency through funded programs • Recently, over 160,000 Mid-Southerners received help with food, shelter, utilities and other emergency assistance through United Way's network of care.

5. United Way's work with the Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance Over $3.3 million in tax credits Over $9 million in tax refunds helping families with low and/or poverty level incomes across our region.

6. Health • Why it's so important for our region: • By 2020, we expect to see a 40% increase in the number of local citizens aged 85 years or older. • Some examples of what United Way is doing: • Funding programs that provide home-based help services for seniors. • Promotes better health • Provides greater independence • Helps people stay in their own homes longer • Research shows costs for these programs is as little as 1/3 compared to nursing home stays.

7. United Way of the Mid-South twitter: @uwmidsouth “like” us on facebook www.uwmidsouth.org