United Way Services of Geauga County
Report to the Community 2023-2024
Geauga Unites
United Way Services of Geauga County is committed to finding solutions to help our community members move from poverty to prosperity. In Geauga County, we embrace the concept of “Geauga Unites,” which aligns with our work to remove the barriers that keep too many of our neighbors from achieving economic mobility.
While much of Geauga thrives, our region continues to deal with racial and economic disparities that disproportionately affect those living in poverty, underemployed, or dealing with unstable housing.
Our work focuses on economic mobility, health pathways, and housing stability. This past fiscal year we served 3,000 residents through a variety of programs and partnerships aligned with those priorities.
Aging & Disability Resource Center
The Aging & Disability Resource Center, supported by a grant from the Western Reserve Area on Aging, helped 1,015 residents deal with issues related to benefits enrollment, information and referral services, counseling, and emergency financial assistance.
The center works to alleviate the frustrations many older adults, people with disabilities, and family members experience when trying to learn about and access available services.
The center delivered more than 260 meals to disabled residents under the age of 60 thanks to a Geauga Hunger Task Force grant.
Funding from the Salvation Army allowed the center to assist almost 160 residents with emergency financial assistance to cover rent, fuel oil, and electricity bills.
The center works to alleviate the frustrations many older adults, people with disabilities, and family members experience when trying to learn about and access available services.
The center delivered more than 260 meals to disabled residents under the age of 60 thanks to a Geauga Hunger Task Force grant.
Funding from the Salvation Army allowed the center to assist almost 160 residents with emergency financial assistance to cover rent, fuel oil, and electricity bills.
Bridges@Work
The Bridges@Work program’s Resource Coordinator assisted 750 Geauga County residents with issues ranging from a financial emergency to childcare, housing, transportation, eldercare, and more.
Bridges@Work assists employees in coping with challenges that impact their productivity at work and is offered at no cost to employees at our partner locations.
The program also assisted 42 residents with loans up to $1,000 to cover unexpected costs. In addition to helping in the short term, the program promotes savings, builds credit, and limits the dependence on predatory lenders.
We partner with Catholic Charities, Hebrew Free Loan Association, and Geauga Growth Partnership to run the Bridges@Work program.
Bridges@Work assists employees in coping with challenges that impact their productivity at work and is offered at no cost to employees at our partner locations.
The program also assisted 42 residents with loans up to $1,000 to cover unexpected costs. In addition to helping in the short term, the program promotes savings, builds credit, and limits the dependence on predatory lenders.
We partner with Catholic Charities, Hebrew Free Loan Association, and Geauga Growth Partnership to run the Bridges@Work program.
Women United
Women United is a volunteer group dedicated to creating equal access to books in Geauga County.
Since 2016, the group has provided more than 12,000 books to students in Geauga schools, more than 4,000 books to children through its Reach Out and Read program, and distributed more than 50,000 books through its Book Bank.
Since 2016, the group has provided more than 12,000 books to students in Geauga schools, more than 4,000 books to children through its Reach Out and Read program, and distributed more than 50,000 books through its Book Bank.
Day of Action
On June 21, United Way Services of Geauga County hosted its annual Day of Action, a volunteer activity where caring people can take a small step toward making a big difference in their communities.
In response to United Way 211 data showing a 40 percent increase in calls related to food insecurity, volunteers assembled and distributed meal kits to feed a family of four. The event was sponsored by First Light Home Care, Mimi Think Local, Sirna’s Farm, Thistle House Senior Living, Heidi Campany Photography, Great Lakes Cheese, First Energy, and Maverick Environmental Equipment.
United Way Services of Geauga County continues to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors - hardworking, caring individuals who need help navigating difficult circumstances – as we work to create a world where everyone can build a good life.
In response to United Way 211 data showing a 40 percent increase in calls related to food insecurity, volunteers assembled and distributed meal kits to feed a family of four. The event was sponsored by First Light Home Care, Mimi Think Local, Sirna’s Farm, Thistle House Senior Living, Heidi Campany Photography, Great Lakes Cheese, First Energy, and Maverick Environmental Equipment.
United Way Services of Geauga County continues to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors - hardworking, caring individuals who need help navigating difficult circumstances – as we work to create a world where everyone can build a good life.
Grantee Partners
We are honored to work with our grantee partners Ravenwood Health as they focus on economic mobility, Catholic Charities as they look to help our neighbors through health issues and food insecurity, and Family and Community Services as their Next Step program helps young adults succeed in many facets of life including housing.
"Geauga Unites is
perfect in uniting people
in the community,
providing services, and
giving them something
they may not be able
to receive otherwise.
"
-MELISSA MAKI
Chair, Advisory Board of United Way Services of Geauga County
-MELISSA MAKI
Chair, Advisory Board of United Way Services of Geauga County
“Geauga Unites is
perfect in uniting people
in the community,
providing services, and
giving them something
they may not be able
to receive otherwise.
”
-MELISSA MAKI
Chair, Advisory Board of United Way Services of Geauga County
-MELISSA MAKI
Chair, Advisory Board of United Way Services of Geauga County