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

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!