United Way Annual Report | Page 12

OUR VISION SELF-SUFFICIENCY United Way supports local adults working to become financially stable and economically independent. OUR PRIORITIES SELF-SUFFICIENCY TEAM Sasha Farmer, Chair; Glenn Bannan; Margery Daniel; Charles Du Bose; Don Long; Stacey McDonough; George Michie; Joyce Robbins; Margo Szeliga; Juan Wade; John Young. • Address barriers to employment and job training for unemployed/underemployed adults, including promoting GED and post-secondary education. • Increase access to financial education, literacy and budgeting. SELF-SUFFICIENCY ISSUES Charlottesville’s child poverty rate is 23% compared to the regional level of 17% and the statewide level of 15.5%. Virginia Kids Count, 2014 5,661 families in Charlottesville and Albemarle do not have enough income to live independently. DON LONG “Stable employment is key to self-sufficiency, but so many need training - basic work skills, budgeting, literacy. We’re making real progress, one person at a time.” 12 Don Long, Attorney, Lenhart Pettit Orange Dot Report, 2014 update