Financial Stability
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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

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Financial Stability

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Supports programs that help adults create a more financially secure future for themselves and their families.

Our community will only prosper and grow if all families are financially stable. Fewer financial stresses lead to healthier lives, improved work performance, and better education outcomes. United Way invests in programs that help adults improve their education level and create a more financially secure future for themselves and their families. United Way’s work in Financial Stability is focused on ensuring all families and individuals achieve independence.

More families are achieving financial stability. Last year, 37,433 adults and families benefited from programs that reduced barriers to employment and provided safe and stable homes.

In 2023-24 United Way is investing in over 85 financial stability programs, including community-wide initiatives.

 

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Financial Stability Objectives

Increase the number of adults and families who: ​

  • Have a stable place to call home.​
  • Are able to meet their household's food needs.​
  • Have access to free or reduced cost legal aid.​
  • Gain educational and/or training skills to secure and maintain employment that offers a family sustaining wage. ​
  • Increase their wealth by achieving asset goals like homeownership or a strong savings account.

Program Areas

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Financial Empowerment for Individuals & Families

United Way is promoting financial stability and independence. To do this, we are investing in programs that help people understand how to build financial assets and save for a home or postsecondary education.

Initiatives We Lead

Financial Empowerment for Women - Provides educational tools and resources that assist women in planning their financial future.

Our Impact

Of those who utilized United Way-funded financial capabilities programs

  • 94% understood how credit works
  • 98% understood the importance of saving money for the future
  • 96% understood their personal budget
  • 96% made progress towards their personal goals
  • 94% had more confidence in making financial decisions
  • 97% improved their problem-solving skills

Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships

Reducing Barriers to Employment

United Way is helping others to build education credentials and skill certification to overcome barriers to employment. To do this, we invest in programs that help individuals navigate through the legal system and gain educational and/or training skills to secure and maintain employment that offers a family sustaining wage.

Initiatives We Lead

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement - Supporting programs that reduce barriers for individuals to obtain
permanent employment with a livable wage.

Our Impact

Of those that participated in United Way-funded reducing barriers to employment programs:

  • 90% achieved/gained job-specific credentials (certificate, license, etc…)
  • 88% improved their computer skills
  • 87% improved their job interviewing skills
  • 91% improved their resume writing skills
  • 85% improved their literacy skills
  • 90% improved their job search skills (internet, newspaper, etc...)
  • 65% maintained employment
  • 53% retained employment for at least 30 days

Of those who utilized United Way-funded adult learning programs:

  • 95% know that there are benefits to using a bank
  • 97% learned the basics of a checking/savings account
  • 89% opened a checking/savings account
  • 73% put money in a checking/savings account
  • 100% made progress towards their academic goals
  • 99% had more confidence in their academic ability
  • 98% improved their computer skills
  • 99% had a greater belief in themselves
  • 99% learned problem solving skills
  • 98% learned to organize their time
  • 99% made progress towards personal goals
  • 98% showed more independence
  • 98% felt like better role models for their family

Of those that participated in United Way-funded legal aid programs:

  • 93% felt some stress relief in knowing where to seek the proper assistance and/or services
  • 92% felt someone was able to help them
  • 95% had a better understanding of their legal rights
  • 88% know more about available community resources

Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships

Safe & Stable Homes

United Way is ensuring individuals and families have safe and affordable permanent housing. We do this by investing in programs that helps people meet their basic needs of food and shelter.

Initiatives We Lead

Safe & Stable Homes - Supports programs that help families stay in a place they call home.

Our Impact

Of those that participated in United Way-funded emergency food pantries:

  • 95% had a better understanding of healthy eating habits
  • 95% were offered resources about healthy eating habits
  • 99% felt that the pantry provided them with nutritious food
  • 83% were able to use their money towards other areas of their budget
  • 91% felt their 3-5 day emergency food needs were met
  • 87% received information about available community resources or assistance programs besides emergency food
  • 82% used the resources provided to them

Of those that participated in United Way-funded housing and homeownership programs:

  • 99% will be better able to handle similar situations in the future because of what they learned
  • 95% avoided foreclosure, eviction or homelessness
  • 95% were able to maintain or secure safe and affordable housing
  • 99% received information or services to better their housing situation
  • 98% received information about available community resources or assistance programs in addition to foreclosure/eviction prevention

Of the youth who stayed at a United Way-funded emergency shelter:

  • 86% returned to their home or a safe, acceptable alternative
  • 89% felt their relationship with their parent/guardian remained the same or improved
  • 86% were better able to cope with the problems that caused them to seek services
  • 99% had their immediate basic needs met

Of those that utilized United Way-funded emergency shelters:

  • 70% felt their housing would improve after leaving the shelter
  • 84% set personal goals towards self-improvement
  • 73% made progress towards their goals
  • 96% felt their basic needs were met
  • 62% made progress toward solving problems they may have had when trying to achieve their goals

Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships

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Initiatives

image of women with daughter on sofa

Safe & Stable Homes: Ending Family Homelessness

Supporting programs that will end family homelessness in our region.

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teacher working with a group of young students

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement

Supports programs that reduce barriers for individuals to obtain permanent employment with a livable wage.

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two women at the financial empowerment seminar

Financial Empowerment for Women

Providing educational tools and resources that assist women in planning their financial future.

Learn More.

Couple on couch in apartment

Safe & Stable Homes in Waukesha County

Supporting families in Waukesha County to improve their housing stability.

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What We Fund

Check out our investments in Financial Stability.

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Stories

Financial Stability: Beth & Scott

After Beth and Scott lost their Waukesha home, United Way partner American Red Cross helped them get back on their feet.

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Reducing Barriers to Employment: Henry

With support from JobsWork MKE, a United Way partner, Henry found a job he enjoys and is well on his way to reaching his goals.

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Education: Bertha

With help from YWCA, Bertha achieved her high school equivalency and found purpose in a job she loves.

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man standing near truck

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement: Leon

Employ Milwaukee helped Leon navigate his options for becoming a truck driver; now, he’s planning for a successful future.

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Reducing Barriers to Employment: Margaret

Margaret overcame employment barriers and found a job she loves thanks to United Way partner programs.

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