Page 98 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2017

GIVING BACK lasting impact
2017-2019 Community Impact Grant partners at the Grants Announcement and Check Presentation.
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of United Way of South Mississippi
United Way of South Mississippi works through the brand of United Way Worldwide that began in 1887 when six leaders in Denver decided
to work together for change. Locally, 2017 marked the 25th anniversary of the organization’s servicing residents of Harrison, Hancock, Stone and Pearl River counties by rallying resources, collaboratives and leadership for the communities’ ever-changing needs.
UWSM is working to advance the common good by investing in young children and their families. UWSM and leaders from across South Mississippi make a concentrated
effort to ensure that donors’ gifts
have a lasting impact in the lives of those serviced. Research and statistics continually show that investing in early education programs, with an emphasis on reading and kindergarten readiness, helps shape children’s futures for the better. That’s why UWSM put more than $760,000 into programs that do that last year. UWSM also awarded over $600,000 in
grants to be distributed over the next two years to nine nonprofit agencies and seven PreK4Ward classes across South Mississippi.
UWSM serves numerous organizations in the four counties and strives to improve the lives of all residents in its service area. In addition to its recently announced grantees, last year United Way sponsored three summer programs, 10 teacher training sessions in two districts and created new programs through emerging needs grants. UWSM also works closely with Catholic Social Services, Share Your Blessings, and Project Share.
Other programs that UWSM is involved with include Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance, the FamilyWize discount prescription card, Women’s Leadership Council, Vroom to
teach parents activities that build children’s brains, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that sends one free book monthly to 2,200 enrolled children until they turn five.
United Way of South Mississippi
11975 Seaway Rd., Suite B-170, Gulfport 228.896.2213 www.unitedwaysm.org
98 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2017
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