--- title: Stories | United Way of Central Iowa | Story description: Story | Success stories about the community impact made by United Way of Central Iowa and its partners. --- [![White Full logo-8-1](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20Full%20logo-8-1.png?width=559&height=182&name=White%20Full%20logo-8-1.png "White Full logo-8-1")](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/) [![DONATE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/542539/297ef930-7a06-40d1-8f7b-173b553599f6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/542539/297ef930-7a06-40d1-8f7b-173b553599f6) [![VOLUNTEER](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/542539/3549f8b5-de58-4575-9f74-f8f62520eb4a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/542539/3549f8b5-de58-4575-9f74-f8f62520eb4a) ![Book-Web-Header](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/General/Web%20Page%20Header%20Images/Book-Web-Header.jpg?width=1920&name=Book-Web-Header.jpg "Book-Web-Header") # IMPACT STORIES Feb 12, 2021 9:53:54 AM #### [Celebrating Joyann Benoit](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/celebrating-joyann-benoit) [![](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hubfs/Joyann%20Benoit.jpg) ](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/celebrating-joyann-benoit) *United Way of Central Iowa and its United55+ program has had the pleasure of working with Joyann Benoit, a life-long Des Moines resident, for more than 20 years. She retired from volunteering at the start of this year. * [Read More](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/celebrating-joyann-benoit) Jul 24, 2020 3:46:00 PM #### [American at HeART](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/american-at-heart-myat-story) [![](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hubfs/ArtForce_Myat2.jpg) ](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/american-at-heart-myat-story) *Myat, a Karen refugee, continues to embrace his culture while growing and evolving as an American through the power of art and education.* [Read More](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/american-at-heart-myat-story) Jul 6, 2020 2:26:41 PM #### ['Flying Right' after Serving Time](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/flying-right-after-serving-time) [![](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hubfs/Jeff_Color-1.jpg) ](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/flying-right-after-serving-time) When Jeff Faidley joined the CIRCA construction cohort at Fort Des Moines Correctional Facility, he may have been one of the oldest members, but also one of the most determined. “I made up my mind one day: I was going to fly right,” Jeff said. “I have too much to live for to go back to jail.” [Read More](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/flying-right-after-serving-time) [All posts](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/all) UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA 1111 9TH ST  •  Suite 100 Des Moines, IA 50314 (515) 246-6500   •   [contactus@unitedwaydm.org](mailto:contactus@unitedwaydm.org) ## Need Help? Dial 2-1-1 [![211 Iowa - Get Connected, Get Help](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/211%20Logos%20062019/211%20Logo%20-%20color%20(white%20bubble)%20-%20No%20Tagline.png?width=180&name=211%20Logo%20-%20color%20(white%20bubble)%20-%20No%20Tagline.png)](http://211iowa.org/)     ---   [![Charity Navigator four star rated charity badge](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/UWCI/Website/Miscellaneous/Images/Charity_Navigator2.png?width=150&name=Charity_Navigator2.png "Charity Navigator four star rated charity badge")](https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/420680425)United Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 18 straight years from Charity Navigator, an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States. This record places United Way of Central Iowa in the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Click the logo to review our complete evaluation. [![candid-seal-platinum-2024](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/candid-seal-platinum-2024.png?width=108&height=108&name=candid-seal-platinum-2024.png)](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/7474f287-45d6-42ae-8f99-9365333ee703)United Way of Central Iowa has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. The seal is given to nonprofits who have achieved the highest level of transparency through disclosures, information made available to the public, and accuracy and frequency of updates. Click the logo to learn more. © 2024 United Way of Central Iowa. All Rights Reserved. [**](https://twitter.com/UnitedWayCI) [**](http://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayofCentralIowa) [**](http://www.linkedin.com/company/61568) [**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/unitedwayofcentraliowa/) [**](http://www.youtube.com/user/UWofCI) [Privacy Policy](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/privacy-policy)