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Free Financial Literacy Course
Wednesday, April 3rd @ 2:00pm
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Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse
Thursday, April 4th from 3:00pm-9:00pm
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"KICK" Start to Early Literacy
Saturday, April 6th @ 12pm
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Student Recognition Ceremony
Wednesday, April 17th from 6:00pm-9:00pm
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COAD Meeting #78
Monday, April 29th @ 9:30am via Zoom
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ALICE in Hernando:
One Crisis Away From Poverty
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WHO IS ALICE? ALICE refers to the population in our community who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The ALICE Population represents those among us who are working whose salaries do not match Hernando's general cost of living. ALICE families live a life of struggle, but our communities can’t live without them.
Consider this: 38% of Hernando households are walking a financial tightrope. They are working hard, but falling short of what they need to consistently cover the basic costs of living. Unable to save for the future, they are vulnerable to a single emergency that can push them in crisis and even poverty. If we truly embrace the word community, if we honestly believe we’re all in this together, then we have to invest in solutions.
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GETTING TO KNOW OUR BOARD | |
BOARD Member Highlight
United Way of Hernando County's Board of Directors is full of dedicated community members and leaders. For this #UNITED News release, we are highlighting United Way Board Member Dell Barnes from Hernando Schools' Parent Academy.
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Why is LIVING UNITED through United Way important to you?
"The concept of a village is that it takes on the personality of all of those that reside there. I like to think of Hernando County as that village. One where we take care of and look out for one another by banding together. Whether that be through faith, culture, or lending a helping hand to those in need, Living United represents a body of people looking to improve the lives of everyone. If I help someone today then hopefully in the future, I can lean on that individual that I helped in the past to help me in my time of need."
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In your field, explain why you believe The Parent Academy and United Way work so well together as community partners.
"I love the fact that The Parent Academy and United Way have the same focus of engaging and helping people within our community. At the Parent Academy, we try our very best to get parents, community, and stakeholders involved and engaged in what's happening within the school realm. So, when we talk about the relationship between The Parent Academy and United Way, it's the same concept of bringing people together for a common goal. Ours being, for students to succeed, which then creates a rippling effect for the parent/guardian, the teachers, and the schools to succeed too. United Way ensures that the people within our community succeed through mobilizing resources and strengthening partnerships. When we all work together, everyone in Hernando County can have a brighter tomorrow."
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What focus areas are you most passionate about improving in Hernando?
"Engagement is key. Trying to make sure that there is complete unity between the school and home. I would love to create a future where your color, culture, background, etc. doesn't matter. At the end of the day, I want us all to WIN. That means when my kids succeed, I want to know that your kids will succeed as well because we push each other, we work together, we stand together. When we do that, we will be UNITED and that's what it's all about. Unity."
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Supporting Early Literacy | |
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United Way of Hernando County's Kickball Tournament's purpose is to support early literacy and continue to provide Hernando preschool children free books to help them grow their own little library and prepare them for kindergarten. All proceeds from this the "KICK" Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament will benefit United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) program, currently providing over 1,050 Hernando children with a free book every month from birth to age of five. The books are mailed directly to enrolled children regardless of their family’s economic status. Help us invest in our local youth by showing support that day, by contributing to raffles or making a generous donation to this wildly popular early literacy initiative. #Ballin4Books
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KEEPING UP WITH UNITED WAY | |
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From January through April, our 34 dedicated IRS Certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Volunteers have spent their time helping Hernando save money. With just one week remaining, check out the current impact as of March 26:
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Over 1379, Clients Served
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Saved residents over $551,600 who utilized United Way's FREE Tax Services
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Accumulative refunded amount back into our community member's pockets: $1,264,649
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United Way of Hernando County and Partner Agencies had such an amazing time celebrating Publix Appreciation Week this year. From Monday, March 11th through Friday, March 15th we were able to go out and express our gratitude to all 8 Hernando County stores. For the past 4 years, Publix has maintained their title as the #1 Global Corporate Leaders. Publix associates are key players throughout the community and are constantly giving back, whether that is through volunteering their time or through their pledge donations.
Thank you Publix for #LIVINGUNITED with us.
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Thank you to those who were able to join us Wednesday, March 13th for our Semi-Annual Dementia Care Seminar, hosted at St. Frances Cabrini Church. We are happy to share that there was over 65 caregivers in attendance, 3 guest speakers, and 18 helpful health vendors present.
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94.5% of responses stated that attending this seminar increased their knowledge and they plan on using what they learned
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The top 3 difficulties identified when it comes to caregiving are: finding “me time”, finding support groups, respite care
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The 3 greatest needs they believe Hernando faces are: mental health & substance abuse, affordable housing, access to healthcare
A special thank you again to our guest experts from Dementia Spotlight Foundation, Dedea M.D. Family Medicine, Mortellaro Law, and our Proud Health Supporters: HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, Oak Hill Senior Living, Home Instead Senior Care, & Always Near Home Care.
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If you work closely with any non-profit agency, you may notice a common trend when it comes making it their mission to educate. Educate clients on how to qualify for their services. Educate residents on where their generous donations go. And educate communities at large who they are as an organization and their purpose. While navigating this outreach effort to educate, our dedicated teams are often faced with busting myths. “I thought you did this?” We’re here to set the record straight through our UNITED WAY MYTH BUSTERS SERIES. Each month we will feature select United Way Partner Programs, highlighting their common “myths” and how you can help be an advocate to educate. | |
Thank you Kiwanis Club of Brooksville for your support & passion for Early Literacy! Your generous donation will sponsor 93 pre-school children through our Imagination Library over this next year. | |
Unite Way proudly donated 100 presentation boards to Westside Elementary School for their 5th Grade College & Career Project. Happy to help! | |
United Way happily joined Staff Development Day for our Hernando County Public Libraries, where UW shared the importance of building up their personal & professional tool boxes with available resources for access to care. | |
PREFERRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHT | |
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United Way of Hernando County is powered by partnerships. Although United Way's Business Blitz Challenge takes place annually in the month of June, our Preferred Partners who "accept" The Challenge are supported and featured year-round!
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How long has Tropic Shores Realty been in operation?
"Since June 2005 (almost 19 years)."
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What services is Tropic Shores Realty best known for?
"Tropic Shores Realty has just under 300 agents within our offices ready to assist you with all of your Real Estate needs. We have an in house Mortgage company to help your buyer purchase their home as well as an in house Title company where we do Real Estate closings."
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What is something the community might not know about Tropic Shores Realty?
"Tropic Shores Realty is dedicated to community involvement and giving back. They often support local charities, sponsor events, hold food drives, toy drives, and volunteer their time to help improve the neighborhoods they serve. Tropic Shores Realty is run by husband and wife, Jim and Linda Tacy, who are very family oriented. If you walk into their building, you become "family"."
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Tropic Shores Realty has been a supporter of United Way through their annual BUSINESS BLITZ CHALLENGE since 2020! What drives your practice to stay involved locally?
"Without the community we would not be celebrating 19 years, it is important to us to give back! "
- Is there anything else you want to share with the community about Tropic Shores Realty?
"Tropic Shores Realty is known for offering 100% commission to their agents. We have many agents throughout Florida but our two main offices are in Hernando and Citrus county."
Get connected with Tropic Shores Realty by visiting their website www.TropicShoresRealty.com
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Senior Wellness Directory
211-Hernando's goal is to have a community that is connected and informed regarding health, mental health, crisis response and human service information.
This is a wonderful resource to place in the hands of our residents. Those who do not have access to the internet or simply aren't aware of the available options here in Hernando will really benefit from these booklets.
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SingleCare
Did you know United Way of Hernando County and the SingleCare, formerly Familywize, Community Service Partnership have teamed up to make prescriptions more affordable for those without insurance or even those who have insurance that doesn't cover their medicine.
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Stress Management
Stress is a fact of life. Overbooked schedules, demanding work hours, long commutes, an outburst by an angry boss, a stand-off with a defiant teenage child and the bad news that makes headlines every day are all contributors to the increased stress that many feel. Now more than ever it is important to recognize signs of stress in ourselves, our families and our communities and take the necessary steps to reduce stress and intervene if needed.
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Dementia Care Support Group
Location: Oak Hill Senior Living Community - 7411 Cortez Oaks Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34613
When: First Monday of each Month @ 1pm
This support group is FREE and open to all caregivers caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia. This health initiative is in collaboration with the Dementia Spotlight Foundation
For more information & support, contact Gary Joseph LeBlanc.
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2-1-1 Hernando
211 is a 24/7 helpline and user friendly search website for individuals in need of assistance with various unmet needs such as mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness.
United Way's monthly-call trend reports for Hernando show the following top needs for February 2024:
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Call Count = 180
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Need Count = 222
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Top 5 needs: Housing: 70, Utility Assistance: 33, Information Services: 25, Government/Economic Services: 23, Mental Health/Substance Use Disorders: 19
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INCOME: Financial Stability & Basic Needs | |
TAKE ACTION: LIVE UNITED With Us | | |
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United Way of Hernando County | 352-688-2026
4028 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
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