The holiday season tends to put grateful smiles on the faces of children and families alike. It’s a time for sharing, caring and reflection, for families are coming together to give thanks for all of the blessings they’ve received. I hope that in the spirit of the holiday season, all who are reading are doing just that. It is important that we remember the good things we’ve been blessed to have, like the support of family and friends.
During the 2016-2017 fiscal year, we helped to strengthen children and families by working with our partner agencies, key stakeholders and various organizations to provide critical support services in the communities we serve. For example, this past fiscal year, we helped to provide 15,000 meals to children and families across Union County through programs like GRACE in Summit and the Food Pack Program through the Plainfield Board of Education Family Success Center. We’re helping our children succeed and reach their highest academic potential; over 2500 young people are, so far gaining valuable financial independence through our job readiness and workforce development programs and; through our Family Success Centers, located all across the county, over 10,000 families served since its inception in 2008, are helping to provide wrap-around critical services to those in need.
This holiday season, we are living united for all those we help, families who are struggling to put food on the table; children who, thanks to you will open a gift on Christmas day; providing a safe place to sleep so to prevent homelessness. We are living united this holiday season by supporting improvements in health for the most vulnerable among us and by uniting communities together to improve the well-being of all. We are living united for YOU.
At United Way, we are dedicated to ensuring that these families are not forgotten. By investing in our programs and opportunities, we make the possibility for a better life real. Our motto, Live United isn’t just a slogan – it means that we take care of our neighbor, our community.
The holidays come and go – the challenging circumstances faced by families in our communities remain.
So, what will you Live United for this holiday season?
Please consider what you can do to Live United in the weeks ahead. Together, we can bring “good tidings of comfort and joy” to many more families across our region, both during the holidays and far beyond.