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The newspaper of The Johns Hopkins University November 26, 2007 | Vol. 37 No. 12
 
United Way: Here's Where Your Money Went Last Year

As Johns Hopkins' 2007 United Way of Central Maryland campaign moves toward its Dec. 14 completion date, our campaign's leadership asked the United Way to brief employees on how donations were distributed in 2006. The report follows.

Johns Hopkins' relationship with United Way of Central Maryland has been a multifaceted and long-standing one. But in 2006, it reached a new level as the School of Medicine became an impact partner, receiving close to $400,000 through June 2009 from United Way to support school readiness initiatives.

Since announcing the establishment of four impact areas last year, United Way has distributed funds to 40 agencies running 42 programs in six jurisdictions in Maryland. Funds were allocated to 13 Basic Needs Initiatives, 11 Family Safety Initiatives, seven School Readiness Initiatives and 11 Youth Achieving Potential Initiatives.

The programs were all chosen for their long-term success rates and will report their results back to United Way on a regular basis. In order to ensure that these programs succeed, United Way community impact staff continue to take a hands-on approach with these partner organizations, offering expertise and guidance wherever needed.

Each day, dollars contributed from Johns Hopkins help these valuable regional programs continue to house the homeless and low-income; protect men, women and children from the pain and suffering of violence; make sure children are ready to succeed in school; and ensure that young people are able to develop into responsible, productive members of society.

In 2006, the combined Johns Hopkins Institutions contributed more than $2 million toward these initiatives. These programs, like the School of Medicine's early childhood one, help combat deeper issues and work to create lasting change in the community.

These funds have helped people like "Ms. B," who was able to complete a child care certification course, double her previously minimum-wage salary and move herself and two daughters into an apartment and out of transitional housing shelters.

Johns Hopkins dollars have also helped women like "R" escape a violent situation, obtain a protective order and emergency custody, and press criminal charges against her abusive husband. Today, her abuser is in jail and she is in a nonabusive relationship.

And with these critical United Way funds, students have begun to prepare for careers and higher education. Just months after the new funding was distributed, 37 high school students with disabilities were recruited to participate in a youth transition program, 36 students began school- based exploratory career assessments, and 31 students completed a two-day career assessment.

Johns Hopkins' role in making these programs possible has been critical, with employees contributing more toward the United Way of Central Maryland campaign than any other employee base.

But it's about more than just donating dollars. United Way of Central Maryland relies on thousands of volunteers to support programs and participate in hands-on community events, too. In September, Johns Hopkins volunteers rolled up their sleeves and raced against the clock to redecorate a room in a Howard County Y of Central Maryland day care center. The makeover brought members of JHU together with United Way and other valuable community nonprofit and corporate partners.

United Way's annual campaign kicked off in October and continues until Dec. 14. Members of the Johns Hopkins community can continue to be one of the strongest supporters of this health and human services leader by pledging online at https://donor.unitedeway.org.

For more information about the United Way campaign, the new partnership creation, the Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund or campaign events, go to www.jhu.edu/unitedway or contact campaign administrator Matt Smith at unitedway@jhu.edu or 410-516-0345.

 

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