It has been our privilege to serve our communities during a time of incomparable economic and social challenges. Though times are tough, the United Way of Northwest Louisiana continues to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to advance the common good. Our goals are ambitious, but by utilizing our core strengths, we can achieve them. Since 2008, United Way has worked toward 10-year goals. The three goals are as follows:

• Improve education and cut the number of high school dropouts in half,

• Help people achieve financial stability and get lower-income families who are financially unstable on the road to economic independence and

• Promote healthy lives and increase by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors.

Big goals require big change – not only in what we say, but in what we do and how we do it. Instead of just raising money for good causes, we have to be a part of helping to motivate people around community change. We have focused on education, income and health because these are building blocks of an admirable quality of life and are the pathway to opportunity. Last year through your generous gifts to United Way, great good was accomplished.

“ United Way is blessed to have ongoing partnerships with employers and employees alike. “

• 101,000 people received services in our 10-parish area.

• 27,000 people improved their health habits.

• 59,000 people facing crisis had their basic needs met.

• 86,700 children and youth were mentored.

United Way is blessed to have ongoing partnerships with employers and employees alike. We are uniquely positioned to help create economic value that also adds social value. This value goes to the core of a strong community. Its central premise is that a company’s competitiveness and the health of the communities around it are interdependent.

The need for charitable dollars continues to grow especially in this time of decreased funding from State and National Resources. We must work together to create opportunities for a better life for all.

Please give generously either through your United Way workplace campaign or by giving directly to United Way of Northwest Louisiana. Be the difference!

Thank you for your continued support, Bruce Willson, President and CEO United Way of Northwest Louisiana