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See 100 Stories of Impact
May 21, 2019
Ready for kindergarten
Yanira’s has grown tremendously through the Book Buddy program, reading weekly with a volunteer mentor. She is now on pace to begin kindergarten ahead in her pre-reading skills.

April 23, 2019
Growing a healthy community
Bizimana works a two-acre farm called Eating Well in Altoona doing the same activities his parents did in Burundi, Africa. He joined LSI Global Greens.

February 15, 2019
Falling off the Cliff
Kelly had just received a letter saying she would no longer receive Child Care Assistance from the state. She was going to drop off the so-called “Child Care Cliff." She didn’t realize that by starting to work full time, she would be pushed just over the threshold of receiving assistance.
October 4, 2018
Joining to network, now giving with heart
Jess and Tim McCulloh started giving to United Way through their workplace at the same time they started their careers. Today, as leaders in their companies, they are the ones asking others to give back and are helping lead the direction in which United Way’s dollars are invested in the community.

September 3, 2018
Through health issue, Syrian mother finds new hope
Dallas County Health Navigators helped Fadia, a Syrian refugee, with transportation and other needs that improved her health and changed what she now dreams for her and her family's future.

August 29, 2018
A Diploma for Mom
After a childhood spent in foster care, Cecelia got pregnant while still in high school. Scavo's Teddy Bear Town, funded by Women United, provided high-quality child care to Ezequiel while she earned her diploma.

August 1, 2018
Leaving a legacy through planned giving
Jem Gong-Browne is slowly working toward becoming a United Way Tocqueville Society member, being able to donate $10,000 a year, but she has already left a legacy of giving that will last forever.
June 5, 2018
A Book Buddy celebration for this first-year volunteer
Deb Bremser volunteers to read with four-year-old students at two child care centers during the school year. Here she shares her Book Buddy experience:

April 23, 2018
Coding leads refugee high school student to college scholarship
Learning to code changed Bonito's view of what he could achieve for his future. This refugee high school student is now at Iowa State University on a full-tuition scholarship.

April 20, 2018
Refugee, graduate, future nurse
Tara has graduated from United Way of Central Iowa's Bridges to Success initiative and is on a path to becoming a nurse through Central Iowa HealthWorks.

November 24, 2017
A central Iowa student gets the vision to learn
Aainece is among 1,000 students in central Iowa who will receive free glasses thanks to Vision To Learn. The program improved her health and ability to learn.

November 9, 2017
Giving Garden Volunteer Rolls Up Her Sleeves to Give Back
Meet a volunteer with the Giving Garden at Telligen where about 20 volunteers donated more than 3,000 pounds of fresh produce to a central Iowa food pantry.

October 4, 2017
After-school program changes Warsame's life
Warsame began to disengage from school, but BE REAL Academy, funded by United Way of Central Iowa's Education Leadership Initiative, helped Warsame succeed.

August 30, 2017
A Smile Saved
Women United's Smile Squad visited Lam's elementary school to provide free dental screenings. Since her family didn't have insurance, Smile Squad connected her to a clinic where she could get cavities treated for free.

June 1, 2017
Meet United Way of Central Iowa's New President
Elisabeth Buck became United Way of Central Iowa's President this May. As we welcome her to this role, we took a moment to ask what has shaped her as a leader.
April 25, 2017
A Bridge to His Dream
17 years after dropping out of high school to care for his newborn daughter, Aaron achieved his high school equivalency diploma and hopes to open a business.