UWSC Annual Investments
The vision of UWSC is a community where everyone can achieve their human potential, creating a stronger community for all. Through annual investments and close work with Partner Agencies and community organizations, UWSC focuses on education, health, and financial stability, the building blocks of a successful life.
- Education programs focus on long-term solutions, addressing opportunity gaps throughout the cradle to career pipeline in order to keep kids on track to graduate high school prepared for college and career.
- Health programs are an essential ingredient for individual success and a thriving community. Healthy kids are more likely to succeed in school. The whole community will flourish when all of our residents have access to public parks, playgrounds, healthy foods and quality healthcare.
- Financial Stability programs ensure that individuals and families improve their socio-economic status, which can have a multigenerational, positive impact on overall well-being by increasing access to quality health care, improving housing options, and broadening educational opportunities.
2020-21 Investment Impact by Numbers
- 41,000 lives were made better through the services and programs of UWSC Partner Agencies and Community Impact Initiatives
- 22,295 therapy sessions were provided through school-based mental health services
- 897 families received community support and resources before leaving the hospital, after the birth of their child
- 8,298 youth participated in a variety of programs, including mentoring, academic support, and leadership, to improve their futures
- 5,000 families received emergency food every month during 2020
- 3,105 individuals received mental health services and education
- 1,980 callers from Sheboygan County were connected with resources through 2-1-1
- 74,200 meals were delivered to the elderly and homebound
- 433 parents received parenting education and support
- 2,867 people received financial assistance
- 26,750 nights of shelter were provided
- and more!
Impact Stories
Education Impact Story:
Safe Harbor provides educational presentations to teens on sexting, including examples and scenarios. After a facilitated panel discussion where questions submitted by teens were answered, the following occurred:
Two individuals came forward after it was assigned in class. One was a student who had recently sent images to their partner not understanding the legalities behind it, looking for support, resources, and help. Another student in a separate scenario, shared how they had received numerous images and didn’t know what to do. They identified it was uncomfortable and had asked people to stop and they didn’t; they described to the advocate how it made them feel and the anxiety and discomfort it caused. Due to the presentation, both students connected to an advocate and received services, support, and guidance on navigating their situations.
Health Impact Story:
Timothy was a 15-year-old boy who presented to Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center due to concerns of physical abuse. He had fled from his mother's home in the middle of an altercation, ran to a friend's home, and called 9-1-1. He had suffered abuse at the hands of his mother for years, but in spring 2020 Timothy's abuse had further escalated into threats of violence, homicide, and verbal and physical attacks that drove Timothy to make a makeshift shelter in his back yard out of pallets and tarps.
Through the CAC visit, Timothy was able to find his strength and his voice. Together the team helped piece together what it would take to make this teen feel whole. This included immediate removal from his mother's care, a full human service and criminal investigation, and a bevvy of wrap-around services meant not only to sustain but to help him thrive. Today Timothy remains in the care of foster parents who have kept him safe and helped him to have a better future, free from additional debilitating trauma. There is hope for children like Timothy to go on and live a healthy life.
Financial Stability Impact Story:
Elizabeth is a single mom who never had any issues providing for herself and her teenage son. Then the year 2020 came, and that is when everything fell apart. Early on in the pandemic, Elizabeth was diagnosed with COVID-19. That diagnosis is troubling enough alone and amplified by her type 1 diabetes. She ended up in ICU for 9 days at St. Nicholas hospital battling the virus and diabetic ketoacidosis. She returned home to travel the long road to recovery with no income.
She visited The Salvation Army’s drive-through food pantry on several occasions and was able to remain in her vehicle while staff and volunteers made sure her car was loaded with plenty of food. The Salvation Army continued to communicate with Elizabeth to ensure the needs of her family were met. Her anxiety about her ever-increasing utility bills was calmed by providing financial assistance and she was even able to register her son to receive Christmas presents.
Get Involved
Join the action by giving a gift, volunteering your time, or joining a United Way of Sheboygan County Committee!
Questions? Contact us by emailing info@uwofsc.org.
