A Message From the President & CEO

A Difficult April

Friends,

A senseless act of violence was committed April 17th at Florida State University, a sacred education institution and workplace for thousands of our neighbors in the Big Bend. This tragedy will affect all of us in different ways, so I encourage you to practice grace, understanding, and forgiveness as our community searches for a way forward. 

Tallahassee and the Florida State University family, we’re here for you. Brighter days are ahead, and the only way to reach them is to continue our Big Bend tradition of neighborly love and resilience.

Together we heal,

READ UNITED WEEK

PROMOTES YOUTH LITERACY SKILLS

We were elated to see the response to this year's call for Read UNITED week volunteers, and can't thank everyone enough for their enthusiastic participation! A new generation of readers is ready to speed through the pages of their next adventure, all thanks to you! Check out some of the pictures from this year's event below, and if you missed out this year, check back in October for the fall edition of Read UNITED!

Miss this year's spring event but still interested in volunteering? Contact Sarah Myhre at (850) 487-2087 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org with any questions!

27TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY GOLF CLASSIC IS A HOLE IN ONE!

Tallahassee's golf enthusiasts hit the links on April 25th for our 27th Annual Community Golf Classic, and our big winner was our friends from HCA Florida Capital Hospital! It was a beautiful day and fun for all as we set out to once again raise money for the Big Bend.

Thank you to all of our sponsors for contributing to our day out on the links, and to those who participated in the tourney and helped keep the tradition alive!

VITA CONCLUDES AFTER ANOTHER

SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Our team of dedicated volunteers filed hundreds of returns and continued the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors with great success this year. We're so honored and thankful that our volunteers choose VITA year after year, and were incredibly grateful to Envision Credit Union for helping make our celebratory Volunteer Appreciation Dinner happen!

Thank you to our passionate volunteers for keeping the tradition alive, we can't wait to see you all again next year!

For more information about our VITA Program and how to become a volunteer, contact Samantha Sager at (850) 414-0856 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org.

#UNITEDWETHRIVE: JEFFERSON COUNTY SENIOR GETS HIS GROOVE BACK

When Jefferson County resident Robert first came to the Jefferson Senior Citizens Center, he relied on his wheelchair to do just about everything. Staff members noticed, and made it their goal to get him up and moving as often as possible. Over time and through participation in their exercise class playing an "Oldies but Goodies" playlist, Robert began to get up and dance. Quickly, staff members learned that he knew the words to most of the songs, and loved to move to the music! As a funded program partner of United Way of the Big Bend, Jefferson Senior Citizens Center aims for results like these with all of their event participants, helping keep local seniors active and healthy.

Here's what a staff member had to say about Robert's success:

"When we see accomplishments like that we know that the systems we use to motivate the clients are good because their entire outlook about life changes. Now it seems he cannot get here fast enough on Monday and Wednesday to get moving with the music. The good part about this is he is continually on his feet and just about to abandon the wheel chair. Go Robert!"

-Staff member, Jefferson Senior Citizens Center

JOIN THE ELITE RANKS OF ReadingPals THIS FALL!

Donate one hour of your time per week to help change the lives of struggling readers in the Big Bend

As we conclude another successful Spring semester that saw ninety-one mentors paired with ninety-eight students across seventeen Leon County locations, we're looking ahead to the fall semester and will be ready to welcome new and returning ReadingPals soon! 

Your encouragement and support can help a struggling reader practice important reading skills, improve vocabulary and fluency, and gain self-confidence. With your help, your pal makes the gains they need to move on to the next grade. We provide the lessons, materials, and training - you provide your time and energy. Together, we help our little pals succeed!!

For more information about our ReadingPals Program and how to get started, contact Samantha Sager at (850) 414-0856 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org.

INDEPENDENCE SIMULATION SURPRISES STUDENTS

The United Way of the Big Bend's RealityStore program educates students on the cost of adult life and independence, focusing on the realistic cost of everyday goods and common bills like rent and utilities. Traveling throughout schools and community centers in the Big Bend, the program is always a hit, with students remarking on the valuable lessons the simulation taught them.

This April, our Community Impact team visited Leon County's Adult & Community Education School to show fifty young adults the reality of living independently. One participant remarked that they learned "How to take care of my children and my family, even with struggle." Another, Dakota, found that the store taught them "That life isn't really cheap."

If you'd like to host or volunteer with a RealityStore event, contact Sarah Myhre at (850) 487-2087 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org with any questions!

YOUTH MATH SKILLS ARE ADDING UP

Our MathPals program has concluded for the 2024-25 school year, and what a success it was! Twenty-two mentors were paired with students from around the Big Bend at eleven different sites, helping fill in the gaps when it comes to the ever-important subject of math.

This school year's program may have concluded, but we still need volunteers to work with children, grades K – 3, who need support for practicing basic math skills. Fall training will begin in July, so don't hesitate! We provide fun materials and activities for you and your pal to work on together helping to reinforce the skills they are learning in their classroom. One hour of your time adds up to improved outcomes for your little pal. And when our children succeed, our community thrives!   

For more information about our MathPals program and how to get started, contact Samantha Sager at (850) 414-0856 or email communityimpact@uwbb.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

JANUARY-MAY - ReadingPals program ongoing

JANUARY-MAY - MathPals program ongoing