2009: Year in review

	Students, volunteers unite for MLK Day of Service Students and Volunteers from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Madonna University, Henry Ford Community College and Lawrence Tech University join United Way for Southeastern Michigan for a day of service in honor of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. Over 400 volunteers served at 20+ sites, packing meals, cleaning neighborhoods and showing, first-hand, what it means to Live United. Donate to United Way now and help send volunteers out into the community on MLK Jr., Day, and every day of 2010!
	Advocates travel to Capitol Hill On Feb. 11, 200 community leaders stormed Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of United Way priorities including The Calling for 2-1-1 Act. 2-1-1 reaches approximately 234 million people (over 78% of the total U.S. population) in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Yet, additional funding is needed to connect millions of Americans. Donate to United Way now and help 2-1-1 improve its service in Southeast Michigan!
	Young adults Live United at Alternative Spring Break United Way helps young adults Live United by offering a way to spend Spring Break volunteering. Sponsored by Deloitte, the 2009 United Way Alternative Spring Break program sent hundreds of young adult volunteers to make a difference in communities across the country, including Detroit. Donate to United Way now and help to improve the quality of life in metro Detroit through volunteerism!
	Early Learning Communities expand with the help of the NCAA In March, the National Collegiate Athletic Association made its first ever legacy program grant of $250,000 to United Way for Southeastern Michigan to help fund the establishment of four early childhood learning program sites. The NCAA Final Four was long over in April, but its legacy to Detroit is just beginning. We expanded the ELCs to serve residents in two Detroit neighborhoods: Southwest and Brightmoor. Donate to United Way now and ensure that children enter school ready to learn!
	$30 million in tax credits returned to metro Detroit Tax season wrapped up in late April. By May nearly $30 million in tax credits were returned to local residents, due largely to IRS-certified volunteer tax preparation sites operated by the Regional Asset Building Coalition, which United Way created to help families become financially stable. Donate to United Way now and help metro Detroiters overcome the cycle of poverty and become financially independent!
	2-1-1 serves as the official information line about the H1N1 virus This summer, the H1N1 Influenza reached pandemic status. Through it all, 2-1-1 was on hand to serve as a resource for information about the flu. Call center staff participated in disaster response training. Donate to United Way now and ensure that 2-1-1 continues to be prepared to assist our region during future emergency situations!
	Summer lunch program expands to feed hungry children When school is in session, about 135,000 kids in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties receive free breakfast and/or lunch based on need. However, when school is out, many of those children go hungry. As a first step to combat the growing hunger crisis in southeastern Michigan, United Way worked with local partners to expand the free summer lunch program to feed over 6,000 kids during the summer months. Donate to United Way now and help increase access and availability of food for our region's residents!
	Requests for food reach #1 for the first time In August, CNNMoney.com reports that, as the area's economy worsens, the food crunch is intensifying, and spreading to people not used to dealing with hunger. As middle class workers lose their jobs, the same folks that used to donate to soup kitchens and pantries have become their fastest growing set of recipients. Calls to United Way 2-1-1 triple and, for the first time ever, food is the number one reason people are calling. Donate to United Way now and help increase access to basic necessities, like food!
	Supporters rally for Michigan school reform Over 2,000 advocates rallied at the Michigan state capitol, calling for changes that would make the state more competitive to win federal Race to the Top funding. Additionally, over 1,000 college students e-mailed their legislators on the 9/11 Day of Service in support of reform. This, Coupled with a late-year push by United Way and other supporters, historic education reforms are headed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for signing. Donate to United Way now and help ensure that our voices continue to be heard in Lansing and in Washington!
	Venture Fund launches first investments Hundreds of high school freshmen in Detroit and Warren entered a more supportive learning environment this academic year with the help of United Way. These environments include nine "small schools" and three learning communities, launched as part of the first round of investments made by The Greater Detroit Education Venture Fund. Donate to United Way now and help turn around our poor performing high schools!
	United Way named a 2009 Crain's Best-managed Nonprofit finalist United Way for Southeastern Michigan was selected as one of the 2009 Best-Managed Nonprofits from Crain’s Detroit Business. This is a huge honor for us. In a year marked by an exceedingly tough economy, our organization has been faced with meeting increased community need with shrinking financial resources. Donate to United Way now and rest assured that your gift is being invested in an organization that you can trust!
	Early Childhood Investment Corporation gives $2.8 million to United Way Our ELCs expanded again, thanks to the Early Childhood Investment Corp., who awarded us a $2.8 million grant. With the grant, United Way plans to expand the free training it provides for childcare providers through the ELCs. Donate to United Way now and ensure that children enter school ready to learn!
These are just a few examples of the successes of United Way and the needs of our community in 2009. To read more, visit our news page and/or read our 2009 archived electronic newsletters.