Basic Needs

Our Challenge:

There are approximately 73,000 homeless people and only 15,000 beds available in shelters in Greater Los Angeles.

Our Results:

Last year, through United Way’s Emergency Food and Shelter program, we provided $6.1 million to organizations specializing in emergency food and shelter services in L.A. County, helping countless human beings.

• 236,000 meals served
• 5.2 million meals provided through grocery distribution
• 266 families transitioned to stable housing with financial assistance

Improving Educational Achievement

Our Challenge: Los Angeles is facing many dangerous trends with regard to its workforce. Half of students are dropping out in many of our communities. As part of our new action plan, we are focused on preparing middle school youth to successfully graduate high school, and go on to college and the workforce.

• Of those who do graduate, 60 percent are not prepared for college or the workforce
• 30 percent of L.A. County’s workforce do not have a high school diploma (double the national average)

Our Results:

Last year, we sponsored the Tomorrow’s Leaders program through 32 nonprofit youth organizations at 54 sites throughout L.A. County.

• 6,096 youth enrolled
• 4,982 youth completed at least one 10-week session
• 93 percent of youth improved/maintained positive relationships with peers and adults

Increasing Financial Stability

Our Challenge:

Having a job no longer stops you from being poor in L.A.

• 1.6 million people live below the poverty line
• 1 in 4 children in Greater Los Angeles live in poverty

Low-wage jobs have replaced the jobs that once provided a gateway to middle class life. Some work two or more jobs and are still unable to make ends meet.

Our Results:

Through United Way’s Family Savings program, hundreds of people have opened Individual Development Accounts to save for an asset that will create financial stability (i.e. small business, an education or home)

• Last year, we focused on helping those in the top 104 “high-need” zip codes, resulting in 361 new enrollments during the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
• The Family Savings program was offered through 24 program partners in L.A. County which enabled 150 people to make business-related investments, 24 people to purchase their first homes, and two people to pay the tuition fees of their post-secondary education.