Priority Areas
Through a comprehensive community assessment, Green Mountain United Way has identified the following four priority areas as a framework to improve community conditions and establish sustainable changes:
-
Economic Advancement
Due to increases in unemployment and homelessness and lack of affordable housing over recent years, Green Mountain United Way has identified Economic Advancement as a priority and is implementing the following initiatives to help individuals to increase income, build savings, and gain and sustain assets.
- Financial Literacy
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Low income working families receive the income supports for which they are eligible
- High school students achieve a higher level of financial independence before they go on to college or enter the work force or mililtary
- Individuals achieve financial stability through programs to increase income, build savings and gain and sustain assets
- Individuals find and retain employment with sustainable salaries, benefits and opportunities for career growth
-
Health: Nutrition; Physical Activity
- The number of people achieving the recommended amounts of physical activity and intake of fruits and vegetables increases, reducing the rates of obesity and chronic disease
- Communities are aware of the health risks associated with obesity and the impact that strategies such as eating healthy and increasing physical activity have on reducing the rates of obesity and improving health
-
Education: Early Learning
- School readiness in the following three domains of the “Ready Kindergartners Report” increases: Social & Emotional, Approaches to Learning, Cognitive Development/General Knowledge
- Parents, caregivers and communities are aware of the importance of early learning and view school readiness as a key contributor to economic stability
- Parents, caregivers and communities support early learning and play an active role in preparing children for school
-
Community Needs
- Individuals’ basic needs including food, fuel, transportation and housing are met through improved coordination, availability and access of resources
- Individuals receive necessary prescription medication at an affordable cost