United Way Of Charlotte County

United Wayof Charlotte CountyAnnual Report 2013

A Year In Review2013-2014 Board of DirectorsOfficersDear Friends and Supporters,W. Kevin Russell, Esq.PresidentForty eight years ago a group of visionary leaders in Charlotte County came together tobegin the United Way of Charlotte County, forever changing the way we view collectivegenerosity and building a community together. It has been a historic year for theUnited Way of Charlotte County. Recognizing the tremendous and changing needs ofCharlotte County, we came together with our community partners, service providers,donors and community leaders to complete a Community Needs Assessment.Sue SifritCommunity Impact ChairJulie MathisResource Development ChairThe community conversations we held, the data we researched, the thousandsurveys we received all led us to the completion of the first comprehensiveneeds assessment in over thirteen years. The information we receivedis sobering, however, it is necessary to have an accurate pictureof our community so we can create a vision of where we need togo. where we want to go.Kathy SilverbergSecretaryMaura MatzkoTreasurerWe know what needs to be done to advance the commongood and to create opportunities for a better life for allof us. Every child deserves the chance to learn. Everyindividual , every family, deserves the opportunity togain the skills necessary to build a brighter future. TheCommunity Needs Assessment will be our road map,guiding us in the right direction.Deborah H. FitzgeraldAssistant TreasurerCharlotte MillerImmediate Past PresidentAt-Large Board MembersWe are deeply grateful to the volunteers and to thedonors who contribute to the United Way of CharlotteCounty. Your continued support and commitment ismaking a difference in thousands of people’s lives. Aswe look forward, we are poised to make a deep impact inaddressing the needs of our community. The leadership ofour incoming president, Sue Sifrit, will continue this vision ofcultivating social change. Sue’s passion and her commitmentto volunteerism inspires all of us. We are in great hands.Vikki CarpenterJohn HallR. Alan HolbachHoward KunikMark Martella, Esq.Tom PattonChris PorterJerry ReedLinda RiceLeah ValentiDoug Whittaker, Ed.DPersonally, it has been a privilege to lead the United Way over thepast two years. Thank you for your support. Together we are advancing thecommon good and taking strategic action to create lasting change in our community.Warm Regards,Carrie Blackwell HusseyExecutive DirectorW. Kevin Russell at the United Wayof Charlotte County Annual Meetingheld on May 20, 2013. 2 W. Kevin RussellPresidentUnited Way of Charlotte CountyBoard of Directors 3

HighlightsCommunity Needs AssessmentThe United Way of Charlotte County, the department of Charlotte County HumanServices, and the Charlotte Community Foundation formed a partnership to conducta community-wide needs assessment. The partnership was established in 2012, afterthe three agencies noted a striking increase in the demand for health and humanservices.The purpose of the needs assessment was threefold:ss sIdentify the most significant needs within the Charlotte County communitiesIdentify opportunities based on key findingsAddress existing gaps in servicesIt was determined that at this time, in this economic climate, it is crucial that theresources available concern the community’s greatest needs, and are dedicated toprograms that will have the utmost impact on all our citizens.The last in depth study on community need had been conducted over adecade ago, and in that time Charlotte County was deeply affected bythe hurricanes of 2004, and the worst economic downturn since theGreat Depression. Charlotte County saw a significant loss of jobs inthe community, and not surprisingly, a significant increase in thoseliving at or below the poverty line.The findings of the study were sobering. As a result, UnitedCharlotte was formed to bring together key stakeholders toaddre

Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida HEaltH Alzheimer’s Association Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition Charlotte Hiv/Aids People Support (C.H.A.P.S.) Drug Free Charlotte County Hearing Impaired Persons of Charlotte County Senior Friendship Centers Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care Time Out Respite Care Virginia B. Andes Volunteer