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See 100 Stories of Impact
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 6, 2018
Suddenly Homeless
After her daughter was tragically murdered here, Debra moved to Des Moines to take care of final affairs. But her housing plans fell through, and the veteran found herself on the streets—somewhere she never expected to be.

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 24, 2018
How Many Books Could This 4-Year-Old Carry?
A preschooler's life is changed by United Way of Central Iowa's Book Buddy program, where volunteers read with 4-year-olds twice a week and the students receive a copy of the book each Friday.

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 23, 2018
The Power of High School Girls
Jessenia, a 15-year-old freshman, attends Empowerment Groups at the Young Women's Resource Center to find her voice, boost her confidence, learn about feminism and women's health, and, most importantly, make friends that will support her through the tough high school years.

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.

April 12, 2018
Real Men Never Stop Reading
United Way started the Real Men Read program so that kids could see more men modeling good reading skills and serving as mentors. Jon Sullivan, a retired lawyer from Ankeny, stepped right up to the challenge.

March 19, 2018
Hurricane survivors get taxes done for free
After losing everything to Hurricane Maria, Soleil and Juan moved from Puerto Rico to Des Moines, where a friend introduced them to MyFreeTaxes—a free online filing service provided by United Way and H&R Block.

March 19, 2018
Survivor Mom
How a homeless mom took on domestic abuse and addiction—with the help of a United Way-funded program—and won her kids back.

March 6, 2018
The Friendship that Saved a Family
Bad relationships and drugs ruined her life. United Way, a female friend and mentor, and her own determination saved it. Her kids’ smiles are the reward.

February 8, 2018
Children's Mental Health Explained
United Way of Central Iowa works to address children's mental health and the trauma they experience through mental health consultants at child care centers.

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.

September 12, 2017
The Boy No One Thought Would Go to College
At age 18, Matthew faced nearly two decades in prison on drug charges. That was the start of a long journey toward sobriety, stability, and education.

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.