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UWCF Invests $5,356,865 in 83 Services for Central Florida Residents

United Way of Central Florida is excited to announce our 2023/2024 list of services we are investing in with our local partners.

The money raised is allocated to services within Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties that focus on the areas of  Academic Achievement, Basic Needs, Community Partnership School, Early Childhood Education, Ending Hunger, Financial Stability and Health.

Community Investment Team volunteers confirm that the current services UWCF invests in are the best use of our donors’ investments. They do this by reviewing program applications, discussing program outcomes, and participating in site visits. Teams then make informed funding recommendations that help kids succeed in school, provide financial stability resources for individuals and families, and give everyone in our community access to services that meet their health needs.

The Community Investment process ensures wise investment of hard-earned dollars contributed to our campaign and is unique to United Way.

Below is a list of all of the 2023/2024 services purchased to empower our community to reach its full potential.

POLK & HARDEE

Achievement AcademyBirth to Three
Alliance for IndependenceAdult Day Training
American Red Cross – Polk CountyEmergency Services – Polk
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the SuncoastHardee Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay Polk County Comprehensive Mentoring
Boy Scouts Greater Tampa Bay Area CouncilSchool Based Scouting (Polk & Hardee)
Boys and Girls Club of PolkYouth Development at 8 Clubs
Camp Fire USA Sunshine Central FloridaChildhood Education & Mentoring Program Teen Education and Mentoring Program
Catholic Charities of Central FloridaAgape Mission Markets Senior Wellness Services
Central Florida Speech & Hearing CenterAudiology for Kids (Polk)Audiology for Adults (Polk)Speech-Language Pathology
Children’s Home Society Greater Lakeland Division Children’s Advocacy Center – Polk
Church Service CenterCreating Healthy Families
Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland – Hardee School Readiness
Early Learning Coalition of Polk CountySchool Readiness
Family Literacy Academy at Lake WalesEarly Literacy – Family Program
Florida Children’s MuseumStorybook CampFamily Financial Fitness
Florida Epilepsy ServicesTargeted Case Management (Polk)
Frostproof Care CenterFinancial Fitness
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida-PolkStaff Led OutreachTraditional Troop Membership
Girls Inc. of LakelandBuilding Strong, Smart, and Bold
Girls Inc. of Winter HavenAfter School & Summer Program
Good Shepherd Hospice Caregiver ProgramGrief Center
Hands for Hope AmericaFinancial Education
Hardee Help CenterBasic Needs
Heart of Florida Legal Aid SocietyLegal Services (Polk & Hardee)
Heart for Winter HavenFaith & Finances
HELP of Fort Meade, Inc.First Steps to Financial Stability
Lakeland Volunteers in MedicinePharmacy ProgramTargeted Chronic Disease Management
Learning Resource Center of Polk CountyAcademic AssistanceCamp Ready!
Lighthouse for the Blind Polk DivisionEarly Intervention (Infants & Children)Independent Living Program
Mulberry Community Service CenterPersonal Finance Center EastPersonal Finance Center WestFree Tax-Prep Coordinator
NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc.Senior Meals (Hardee County)
Peace River Center for Personal DevelopmentChildren’s Psychiatric ServicesDomestic Violence (Lakeland) Rape Recovery Program (Lakeland)
Talbot House Ministries of LakelandEmergency Shelter Good Samaritan ClinicSolutions Program
The Salvation Army of East PolkShelter for Women & Children Social Services
The Salvation Army Serving West PolkFamily Emergency EfficienciesFamily Living ProgramH.A.L.O. Child Enrichment CenterYES! Youth Education Success
Tri-County Human ServicesAgape Halfway House for WomenHealth Care Educator Drug Abuse Treatment
VISTEService to High Risk Seniors
Women’s Care Center of BartowTransitional Living Center for Women
Women’s Resource CenterIndependence Program
YMCA of West Central FloridaYMCA Reads Success After School Y-Readers Summer Learning ProgramAfter School Care & Summer Camp Lake WalesPreschool Language & Literacy Development Lake Wales
Youth & Family AlternativesGeorge W. Harris Youth Shelter (Polk)

HIGHLANDS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of The SuncoastOne-to-One Mentoring
Boy Scouts Greater Tampa Bay Area CouncilSchool Based Scouting
Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands CountyHealth Quest Prevention Services & Assistance Emergency Rescue Fund
Early Learning CoalitionSchool ReadinessLearning Accomplishment Profile (LAP)
Heart of Florida Legal Aid SocietyLegal Services
Heartland Horses Equine Activities & LearningHorse Therapy
Highlands County Boys and Girls ClubProject Learn
Highlands County Family YMCASummer Camp Scholarship Program
NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc.Home Delivered Meal Program
Peace River Center for Personal DevelopmentDomestic Violence (Sebring)
Ridge Area ArcResidential ServicesAdult Day TrainingCommunity Employment
Youth & Family AlternativesGeorge W. Harris Youth Shelter

The total allocation for these 83 services is $5,356,865.

In addition to our funded services, UWCF receives donor designated funds to benefit a specific initiative or agency. This year $25,347 was given with this designation. Distributions were disbursed to the agencies and programs below.

Camp Fire USA Sunshine Central FloridaScienceRocks Program
Chapters Health, Good Shepherd HospiceNutritional Drink Program
Children’s Home SocietyChild Safety Matters Curriculum
Family Literacy Academy at Lake WalesEmergency Food Pantry
Girl Scouts of West Central FloridaCrystal Lake Elementary Girl Scout Troop
Hardee Help CenterCrisis Food Pantry
Mulberry Community Service CenterVolunteer Income Tax Preparation
NU-HOPE Elder Care ServicesHome Delivered Meals for Seniors

“As always, our CIT teams did an incredible job of evaluating services this year,” explained COO Rod Crowley, “It was great to see so many deserving agencies awarded funding for the work that they do in our community.”

Does being a volunteer on the Community Investment Team interest you? We will need volunteers for the next year! Learn more at uwcf.org/cit or contact Christy Apisa at christy.apisa@uwcf.org or 863.648.1500 ext 272.

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Lakeland, FL 33812

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