These two issues for FINANCIAL STABILITY are community conditions that United Way of Southwest Michigan has chosen to address, based on expert and public knowledge. Click to view more about our 2022-2025 Agenda for Change and the other six issues.
ISSUE: FINANCIAL SECURITY
INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 3,730
THE NEED:
40.4% of households struggle to meet their basic needs
The average annual household survival budget for a family of four is $58,080
CHANGE LIVES OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES:
1,892 people participated in financial coaching
2,176 people participated in financial education
76.9% of people served increased their financial health
93.6% of people served increased their financial knowledge
ORGANIZATIONS:
This type of investment includes programs that will lead to change in individuals.
BENTON HARBOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION – FIRST TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAM
DISABILITY NETWORK OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTHERN INDIANA – FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY
REGION IV AREA AGENCY ON AGING – SENIOR MEDICARE/MEDICAID OPTIONS COUNSELING SERVICE
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN – VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
United Way of Southwest Michigan
ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES:
Earned Income Tax Credit
ALICE Advocacy Day (March)
Voter Engagement
Become a UWSM Advocate
ISSUE: EMPLOYMENT
INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 369
THE NEED:
5.7% of the population is unemployed
CHANGE LIVES OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES:
110 people participated in job skills training
250 people served overcame obstacles
88.3% of people served gained, maintained, or improved their employment status
72.6% of people served increased their skills
BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES INDICATORS:
6 organizations impacted
ORGANIZATIONS:
This type of investment includes programs that will lead to change in individuals.
KINEXUS GROUP – THE LINK EMPLOYER RESOURCE NETWORK
LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN – LEGAL AID FOR EXPUNGEMENT
MOSAIC CCDA – JOBS FOR LIFE
NEW HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. – NEW HEIGHTS AUTO SERVICES
REGION IV AREA AGENCY ON AGING – SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
THE CENTER FOR GROWTH AND INDEPENDENCE – SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
YMCA OF GREATER MICHIANA - CHILDCARE NETWORK
ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES:
Career and Technical Education
Michigan Reconnect
Voter Engagement
Become a UWSM Advocate
Success Story Snapshot
Volunteers of VITA
Some heroes wear capes, others wield calculators.
Crunching numbers and pouring over paperwork— tax returns, no less!—may not sound exciting, but the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is one of the most important services United Way provides to the community because of its tremendous financial impact that lifts not only the families helped, but our whole local economy.
United Way of Southwest Michigan provides free tax help to working families with low to moderate incomes in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. The VITA program is offered to people who make $57,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.
VITA is an Internal Revenue Service initiative designed to support free tax preparation service for the underserved through various partner organizations.
Returns are prepared by IRS tax law-certified volunteers. Volunteers are taught how to use tax software and specific tax law issues. One of the focal points of the VITA program is raising taxpayer awareness and receipt of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The average refund for taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Credit is $2,450. The Earned Income Tax Credit is the largest and most successful poverty reduction program in the U.S. and lifts more children out of poverty than any other program.
Last year, 39 local VITA volunteers clocked 3,073 hours helping Southwest Michigan individuals and families receive $1,723,166 in total refunds— money which then goes back into our community.
We all benefit when working people can turn their financial tightrope into a stable pathway to success!