Highlights of Funded Programs

EDUCATION INCOME HEALTH

EDUCATION

Children are “Born Learning” – that’s the mantra of a United Way-funded program that helps parents and caregivers learn how to engage children and provide educational opportunities. United Way provides materials and support to agencies, daycare providers, libraries and schools about early learning opportunities.

Art is a vital piece of early education, bolstering creativity and boosting confidence among young children. In Clark County, Born Learning partners hosted an art exhibit that gave children a chance to create their own unique piece of art. A professional photographer took candid shots illustrating children’s developmental creative process in action.

Vancouver’s Sixth Street Gallery hosted an art exhibit for key early learning stakeholders, children, siblings and parents. Photographs and artwork included in the exhibit showcased the importance of nurturing children’s creativity in the early years.

Janet,* mother of a three-year-old enrolled in Head Start, was one of the first people to show up at the art opening. She says that the exhibit is a milestone for the family. When Johnny started Head Start, he struggled with early literacy skills. He has since made a lot of progress during the year.

Janet was so excited and proud of Johnny’s art display that she created her own special invitation for their friends and family to attend the art opening. The Born Learning art exhibit was a wonderful way to celebrate Johnny’s accomplishments and potential to excel.

INCOME

Who knew that a single-year tax refund could lead one family a step closer to owning
their home? That’s exactly what happened to Lori and Brad*, who had been living with their two kids in a run-down apartment building.

Trying to save money in a down economy, the couple came to Impact NW to get free tax preparation help. Impact NW is one of several local agencies that took part in United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program.

The EITC program is an important component of United Way’s focus on financial stability. Many taxpayers do not know that they may be eligible to get tax refunds through EITC, and millions of refund dollars go unclaimed each year. In addition, barriers to access to mainstream banks and tax help providers steer many low-income families to tax preparation services that charge high fees.

When they started working with the Impact NW staff on their taxes, Lori and Brad* were not expecting a big tax refund. Turns out, their combined income qualified the family for EITC, which raised their return to $4,757. They plan to use their refund on a down payment for a mobile home they had always dreamed of owning.

HEALTH

Having lost insurance through his past employer, Jerry* was receiving basic medical care at a downtown Portland clinic. He needed medical services not typically accessible at the clinic, so his physician referred him to Project Access NOW, which then made a referral to a pulmonologist.

The lung x-ray revealed he was close to having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and at high risk for lung cancer. The news changed his life. He said, “Without the x-ray, I may never have quit smoking.” He hasn’t smoked for 10 months.

Project Access NOW is a United Way-supported service that organizes charity care throughout the four-county Portland-Vancouver region. By coordinating a growing network of volunteer physicians and working closely with hospitals and clinics, Project Access is able to help low-income, uninsured patients access medical care.

Project Access connects volunteer physicians and specialists with eligible safety net clinic patients, making charity care cheaper, easier and faster for both patients and providers.

Asked about his experience with Project Access, Jerry said, “I can’t think of anything that can be improved about the Project Access process. It’s a simple process, I just filled out an application, found out if I qualified, and when I received referrals, I just had to suit up and show up.”

* We respect the privacy of our neighbors. Their stories are real, but not their names or photos.