Over the past 20 years, the cost of living in the United States has increased by almost 52 percent, drastically outpacing income growth. To make ends meet, families are borrowing heavily and relying on high-cost alternatives to cover their daily living expenses.
The goal of United Way is to help hard-working families become financially stable and take the next steps toward long-term independence. Too many families in the United States are walking a financial tightrope - they are barely getting by, which leaves them with no resources to save for college, a home or retirement. We want to help transform that tightrope into solid ground by helping individuals and families gain the tools to increase their income, begin to save and purchase assets because financially stable people are more like to have access to quality health care, provide a good education for their children, and contribute to their local economies.
The United Way of Pettis County provides funding and support to the following Agencies that focus on assisting with income stability:
Adaptative Equipment and Services for Disabilities
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Micro-grants to Individuals: Association for Person's with Disabilities
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Assistive Devices and new technology for Individuals: Blind of Central MO
Employment Assistance and Job Training
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Path 2 Purpose (P2P) Program: Show Me Christian Youth Home
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Empowering Pettis County: Association for Person’s with Disability
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Work Attire Program: Open Door Service Center
Medical Bills
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Pettis County Patience Fund: Children's Mercy Hospital
Food, Shelter and Other Basic Needs
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Emergency Utility and Gas to Medical Appointment Program: Salvation Army
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Emergency Utility Voucher Program: Open Door Service Center
The Needs Based Fund is a United Way of Pettis County program that serves people in need in Petti County. The goal is to provide financial assistance to Pettis County residents with an emergency or vital need that is not met by another organization or resource in the community. Individuals or households must have a referral from another service organization in Pettis County (ex. Nonprofits, schools, etc.). The financial assistance may not exceed more than $500 in a 12-month period.
United to Help Our Neighbors- This program provides housing assistance to households with children under 18 and have an income at or below 185% federal poverty guidelines. This assistance is for rental arrears OR first month's rent and deposit to prevent families from being homeless or assist them in obtaining stable housing. Each family can be assisted up to $800.
Other ways United Way assists in improving financial stability is by partnering with the IRS and Tax Slayer so that every household with a simple return can file their federal and state taxes for free! More information is available at myfreetaxes.com. United Way has also partnered with SunTrust Foundation to help you find information to feel financially secure. Go to: https://www.unitedway.org/my-smart-money