United Way works to identify gaps in current needs and services, provide resources to address those gaps and monitor the results to ensure lasting change. United Way is the only local resource able to provide integrated services leading to comprehensive solutions. United Way raises money from campaigns held in corporate workplaces, as well as from individuals throughout the community. Once dollars are raised, United Way staff and volunteers evaluate programs and invest in those that are financially viable and deliver results. United Way of Central Jersey is focusing on four areas to leverage its resources. This focus supports the building blocks of a good life--Education, Income and Health: ?Helping Children Succeed Children enter school ready to learn. United Way partners with schools and parents to keep teens in school. ?Fostering Self-Sufficiency By promoting financial stability leading to independence, United Way increases income through workforce development, and helps families set aside savings. ?Caring for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities United Way keeps seniors and those with disabilities out of managed care by funding transportation, home healthcare, and delivered meals to those who wish to remain at home and physically active. ?Access to Healthcare United Way improves health and wellness by funding prevention programs, and increases access to quality health services through programs like Together Rx Access.
?Advancing the common good means creating opportunities for a better life for all.? United Way of Central New Jersey's vision is strong and healthy communities where all community members assist each other in becoming productive, contributing members of society, achieving their full potential. Our mission is to provide leadership to improve the well being of people living or working in our community who are needy, at risk, and vulnerable. This will be achieved by mobilizing people, organizations and financial resources to develop solutions, through services, partnerships, actions and advocacy. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. United Way began as a Community Chest (an early precursor to community foundations). The idea was to support the needy in the community by going door-to-door and asking everyone to contribute something. Collected monies were then given out to organizations who helped those in need. Over time community foundations and Community Chests evolved in different ways, and Community Chests became United Way, a national movement dedicated to supporting the growing network of human and social service agencies in each community. United Way was the first to organize solicitation of donations from the corporate workplace. Gifts from workplace campaigns still comprise a high percentage of dollars raised on behalf of the community.
