UNITED WAY OF SOUTH TEXAS

The three specific goals are:
1) Build leading synergies to bridge gaps and services. Continue to identify resources to help partners and school districts deal with mental health, homelessness of student population, and food insecurity.
2) Maximize public relations platforms to expand United Way impact message; thus educating the community about available health and human services and volunteer opportunities.
3)Expand the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program to include finance literacy education tools to at least 50% of the projected 2,800 families served.

1) The Education Council, led by a Region One ESC Board Member and comprised of 8 school district representatives, meet to discuss issues of interest and gaps in services. We facilitate conversations that identify specific topics unique to Hidalgo and Starr Counties. Some of these concerns include the number of youth who are homeless due to deportation of undocumented parents. Children and youth are often left with a distant relative or a friend who do not want or cannot take on the responsibility of raising additional children. At one school district the Parental Involvement Director has identified over 170 youth who meet the description of "homelessness" but the families refuse to acknowledge their state of being for fear of deportation. These teens are alone, feeling abandoned and at risk of human trafficking. In addition, families of diverse financial backgrounds are struggling to put food on the table. In our community, this includes multiple generation households; as many as four living in one home. We are working with community leaders to find solutions.
2) The UW of So. TX. has established internal goals to increase messaging by on social media platforms . This alone informs more community members about our work, volunteer opportunities and their impact. A Volunteer Management Program was launched in 2015. The growth was steady, however, the pandemic reduced volunteer responses.
3) The United Way of South Texas expanded the VITA committee's responsibilities to include Financial Literacy and begin basic budgeting sessions to help clients set financial goals.

With the leadership of the Board of Directors and staff executing strategies to accomplish these goals, we believe these goals can be met. Local businesses are engaged in the work and are committed to dedicating skills, talents and time to help the organization do the work. One additional staff member was added in December of 2022, for a total of eight full-time personnel. The new Administrative Specialist provides executive support to the four professional staff and Financial Stability Coordinator.

For each goal, we either have a baseline, ie. number of children and youth dropping out as a result of homelessness, or number of families served thru VITA and Financial Literacy provided to them, and tracking volunteer hours dedicated to nonprofits in our region. Since these goals are overseen by United Way of South Texas, the numbers will demonstrate progress.

1) In addition, United Way is funding five food pantries in Hidalgo & Starr Counties, to help alleviate food insecurity. One pantry is located at a district in a very low income community.
2) The UW of So. TX. has increased messaging on social media platforms by 58%. This alone informs more community members about our work, volunteer opportunities and their impact. Staff is working on offering more training to non-profits and agencies that are interested in recruiting volunteers and using the Volunteer Management platform.
3) In 2022, financial literacy tools were provided to over 900 families, or 44% of clients.