IMPACT STORIES

Coming as a refugee to Iowa from her homeland torn apart by civil war, Rebecca faced many barriers. No relatives, no job, not even the ability to speak or read English. Rebecca turned to the HOPE Initiative, and now has a job, a driver's license, is learning to read and write English, and she knows her kids can have the future she always hoped for.

Claudia felt like an outcast in school—a minority that nobody cared about. Failing classes and withdrawing from society, she was on a terrible path. But thanks to the Wyld Girls program, funded by United Way's ELI she learned that she could create her own path and help herself and other young women succeed. Claudia went on to college, and after graduate school hopes to work as a high school counselor to help teens find their own paths to success.

Struggling with three children and unstable employment, Shaneice found herself suddenly evicted. Homeless and with nowhere to go, she faced her fears and went to the shelter. Before long, with their help she found a job, an apartment, furnishings and many of the things she needed to get back on a path to safety and stability for her family. Overcoming the shame and fear of her situation helped her learn that there are a multitude of resources, people and places willing to help. She just had to be willing to ask.

Connie and her husband utilized the many resources available, such as financial coaching, career research, affordable housing and child care and more. Because people cared enough to help, Connie's family knows they are stable, safe and have a bright future.

Michael's depression and agoraphobia left him unable to function in society. With debt bearing down and no clear path out, Michael realized he needed help. He found help volunteering to unload trucks at the Bidwell Riverside Center, a United Way funded partner. Over time the volunteering helped Michael overcome his agoraphobia, freeing him to seek additional career education to put him back on the path to stability and success.

As a single mom, Kanisha worked two jobs trying to make ends meet for herself and her son. But working hard meant she made "too much money" to qualify for assistance, even though her wages didn't cover her basic expenses. A determined and optimistic woman, Kanisha found help from the HOPE initiative. After finishing her education and earning her cosmetology license, Kanisha has opened her own business and is well on her way to financial stability and independence.

Yadap had found a good job and dreamt of owning a home in central Iowa. But the idea of a mortgage payment on an entry-level worker's salary made it seem impossible. Yadap was able to buy a home for his family by working hard and finding help from Habitat for Humanity, a United Way funded partner.