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United Way of Central Florida Launches Read-A-Thon to Celebrate 30 Years of Success By 6

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United Way of Central Florida is proud to announce a community-wide read-a-thon in celebration of the 30th anniversary of its Success By 6 program, which was founded in 1995 by Carol Jenkins Barnett to ensure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and thrive. Participants can register for the event, which will run from June 1 – June 30, at uwcf.org/successby6.

“Success By 6 has been a cornerstone of our work to support children and families,” said Christina Criser Jackson, President & CEO of United Way of Central Florida. “This read-a-thon is a joyful way to celebrate our past and invest in our future.”

Proceeds from this event will benefit Success By 6 programs, which are aimed at supporting early childhood development through literacy programs, caregiver resources, and access to essential learning tools.

How It Works:

  1. Set a Goal – Parents can register their children online and set a goal for how many books they will read in the month of June, as well as a fundraising goal.
  2. Spread the Word – Participants can share their fundraising pages with friends and family and ask for their support through pledges per book read or flat donations.
  3. Read, Read, Read! – Participants can track their reading progress online and earn entries into exciting prize drawings.
  4. Complete the Challenge – Participants will log their final book counts to fulfill pledges.
  5. Win Cool Prizes – Every participant will be entered to win prizes, with additional entries for every book read!

Prizes Include*:

  • One of three book bundles.
  • One of five Ziggle bikes.
  • Two tickets to Zoo Tampa.
  • Four tickets to the Florida Children’s Museum at Bonnet Springs Park.
  • Four tickets to the Crayola Experience.
  • Two tickets to an Orlando Magic game.

Special Bonuses**:

  • The first 100 registrants receive a free pizza courtesy of Little Caesars
  • The first 500 registrants receive a free Tadpole Mini Treat from Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

To register and learn more, visit uwcf.org/successby6.

*No purchase necessary. All participants will receive one entry upon registration and an additional entry for every book read. Each participant is eligible to win only one grand prize.  Winners will be randomly selected on 07/03/2025.

**Redeemable at select locations.

United Way of Central Florida Announces New George Jenkins Foundation Youth Opportunity Grant

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United Way of Central Florida is pleased to announce the George Jenkins Foundation Youth Opportunity Grant to support educational programming benefiting Polk County Public Schools students. This initiative seeks to create equitable opportunities for youth by addressing the root causes of child maltreatment and promoting positive outcomes for students in communities facing high-risk social determinants of health. 

This grant opportunity is especially critical as many Title I schools in Polk County serve students who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, lack of access to mental and behavioral health services, and limited educational resources. These conditions contribute to chronic absenteeism, academic underperformance, and behavioral challenges, which can place students at higher risk for long-term negative outcomes. By supporting high-impact educational programming, this grant aims to intervene early, reduce disparities, and foster environments where students can thrive. 

The George Jenkins Foundation Youth Opportunity Grant will supply organizations with up to $20,000 to implement innovative and inclusive educational programs that increase public access and engagement for students in Title I schools within Polk County, FL. This is a unique and meaningful opportunity for organizations to directly affect student success while partnering with schools and community stakeholders. 

Programs may be conducted on or off campus and must demonstrate alignment with the following guidelines: 

  • Preference will be given to programs serving Kindergarten through 8th grade students within Title I schools. 
  • Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate measurable impact in areas such as reduced absenteeism and truancy, improved student behavior, decreased suspensions, enhanced self-regulation, use of de-escalation strategies, and improved academic outcomes. 
  • A letter of support from the participating school(s) is required. 
  • All grant funds must be fully expended by May 28, 2026, the end of the 2025–2026 Polk County Public Schools academic year. 

Application Deadline: Close of Business on Friday, May 16, 2025
Notification of Awards: Monday, July 7, 2025, via email 

This funding opportunity is made possible through the generosity of the George Jenkins Foundation and supports United Way of Central Florida’s mission to inspire our community to give, advocate, and volunteer by identifying needs and mobilizing vetted resources to create positive, local change.

To apply, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/huQZ8UqutG.
Questions? Please email Rod Crowley, Rod.Crowley@uwcf.org.  

UWCF Recognizes the Vital Community Hotline on National 211 Day

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Today, February 11th (2/11), marks National 211 Day-an annual observance celebrating the vital 24/7, three-digit (2-1-1) resource that connects millions of people in the U.S. and Canada with critical community services. This includes residents in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. For over 40 years, 211 has served as a lifeline, connecting individuals to resources and services available in their local communities.

In the past year, 211 has fielded over 45,000 calls in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties, with housing and shelter requests being the most common need.

211 is a key resource for individuals and families in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties who need assistance with disaster response, food, healthcare, mental health support, insurance, stable housing, utility payments, veteran services, childcare, and other essential needs.

Key facts about 211 include:

  • Available 24/7, free, and confidential, accessible in 99% of U.S. communities
  • Offered in over 180 languages

Specialists offer empathetic, non-judgmental support and connect individuals to a broad range of resources to meet not just the immediate need but also any underlying issues that may be present.

“211 is a critical service that connects individuals to resources across a wide range of issues,” said Christina Criser Jackson, President & CEO of United Way of Central Florida. “On 211 Day, we aim to raise awareness of this essential resource and celebrate the lifeline it provides to thousands of Central Floridians.”

Established in 2000 by the Federal Communications Commission, 211 was designated as the three-digit number to connect people to health, human, and social services. Today, it remains a trusted resource for individuals seeking help and hope in their communities.

While 211 operates year-round, it is particularly vital during times of disaster, such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires, helping to spread accurate, vetted information and ensuring that 911 is reserved for physical emergencies.

On National 211 Day, United Way of Central Florida encourages residents in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties to:

  • Call, text, or chat 211 if they or someone they know needs help
  • Share 211 with neighbors, family, and friends to connect others to support
  • Advocate to local policymakers for the importance of and need to strengthen 211 services
United Way of Central Florida

UWCF & Partners Successfully Help Families Displaced by Fire at The Imperial Swan Hotel Find New Housing

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United Way of Central Florida Hosts Community Recovery Event at RP Funding Center

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As the United Way of Central Florida continues to respond to the needs of our community in the wake of recent storms, we are proud to invite residents to a Community Recovery Outreach Event at the RP Funding Center on Saturday, November 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is designed to bring awareness to essential services, provide resources to those impacted by the storm, and address ongoing challenges faced by our neighbors.

United Way of Central Florida, in collaboration with community partners including Combee Connection, City of Lakeland, The Freedom Tour, GiveWell Community Foundation, Polk County, Polk Emergency Management, Polk Vision and others, aims to connect local residents with vital assistance. This event will offer a variety of resources, including FEMA assistance, food and toiletry kits, health services, and more—while supplies last.

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024

Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland, FL 33815

 

Participating Organizations:

  • Central Florida Health Care
  • FEMA
  • Florida Department of Health
  • The Freedom Tour
  • Lighthouse Ministries
  • Polk County Community Health Care
  • Polk for Recovery
  • Polk Vision
  • United Way Community Wellness
  • United Way Success By 6

“We recognize that many of our neighbors are still facing challenges in the aftermath of the storm, and this event is an important step in ensuring that help is available,” said Christina Criser Jackson, President & CEO at United Way of Central Florida. “We are grateful for the support of our partners and for the opportunity to offer relief and connect our community members with the resources they need.”

United Way of Central Florida encourages all community members who need assistance to attend. If residents are unable to attend, they can be referred to available services by dialing 211 or texting their zip code to 898-211.

Our Mission

To inspire our community to give, advocate and volunteer by identifying needs and mobilizing vetted resources to create positive, local change.

Our Vision

To unite our community and empower everyone to achieve their full potential.

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Highland City, FL 33846

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863.648.1500

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5605 US Highway 98 S.
Lakeland, FL 33812

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