Family Financial Stability – A United Way Priority

[ News From United Way of America]
A Cross-section of the nation’s most powerful and effective Fortune 500 businesses, non-profit organizations, federal agencies and local United Ways joined United Way of America CEO Brian Gallagher and Board Chair Rodney E. Slater May 7 to celebrate the launch of the United Way Financial Stability Partnership^TM, the new national initiative created to empower low-to moderate-income people to achieve long-term financial stability that leads to independence.

United Way of America reports that…

United Way’s Financial Stability Partnership is a new national initiative aimed at helping individuals and families attain and preserve assets, become more financially stable, and achieve long-term economic independence.

The United Way movement seeks to identify and address root causes as an effective means of tackling issues and transforming communities. Yet, community issues stemming from personal, economic, and environmental factors are growing increasingly more complex. The rising costs of housing, healthcare, utilities, and education, coupled with changes in the economy, have left many hardworking individuals struggling to support themselves and their families.

In the video below, Brian Gallagher, United Way of America’s CEO, talks about the importance of and rationale for this new national initiative.

United Way of Tampa Bay is excited about this new major movement-wide strategy. Currently through our Family Well-Being Agenda, we are working with many partners to deliver financial asset building services and programs like the Prosperity Campaign, Get Checking, and our recently announced Financial Asset Building Portal. We have also looked for innovative ways to deliver financial education. Our Summer Care initiative, for example, marries together free child care for low income families over the summer months with classes that help parents strengthen themselves financially. Plans are underway to expand our work in this area. Stay tuned for more information!

To read more about United Way of America’s work in the area of Family Financial Stability, click here.

United Way and Labor

The United Way of Tampa Bay and the West Central Florida Federation of Labor formed a local partnership in January of 1991 and hired an AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison to implement the AFL-CIO’s Community Services Program. The five key elements of the program are:

• Build local unions and capacity for the Central Labor Council (CLC)

• Improve public and private support systems for workers and their families

• Provide services to workers and their families

• Provide services to the community at large

• Improve the social and economic conditions of working families to reduce their need for services and assistance.

United Way’s long and productive relationship with Labor has produced a wide range of results for our community, including:

• Letter Carriers Food Drive

• Cover the Uninsured Week and KidCare

• Thanksgiving Food Drive

• Holiday Toy Drive

• Labor Day Picnic Event

• Union Day of Caring

• Support of the United Way Campaign

 For more information about United Way’s partnership with labor, visit our Web site at http://www.unitedwaytampabay.com