Valley of the Sun United Way

Valley of the Sun United Way envisions a community where every child, family and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live, and has every opportunity to succeed in school, in life and in work. As we work with our community, corporate and nonprofit partners to implement MC2026, our five-year plan for Mighty Change, we will put all of our efforts toward reaching bold goals for Maricopa County in Health, Housing and Homelessness, Education and Workforce Development.

Since 1925, United Way has mobilized the caring power of individuals and organizations to improve lives and is the largest non-profit investor of health and human service programs in Maricopa County. We bring partners together from every sector - public, private, non-profit - to do what no single organization can do alone: create solutions that transform the lives of individuals and families and drive systemic change that impacts entire communities.

Our number one focus is to nimbly and effectively respond to, and develop solutions for, our Valley's most pressing needs. Working with our community, corporate and nonprofit partners to achieve the goals of our five-year plan, MC2026, we will remove barriers to ensure everyone in our community is healthy, with a focus on access to food and healthcare. We will close opportunity gaps to ensure children read at grade level by 3rd grade and youth are prepared for educational success and employment. We will ensure all can have a safe home to call their own and we will open pathways to better paying jobs.

We create Mighty Change in our community by:

• Strengthening and supporting the emergency food system to reduce hunger among families and senior citizens.
• Reducing barriers to accessing healthcare through outreach and services that increase participation in healthcare programs.
• Increasing investments in services and programs that prioritize social determinants and wraparound services that prevent and assist those experiencing homelessness.
• Investing in individual and family shelters that move households out of crisis.
• Building and strengthening literacy capacity of practitioners in early learning environments.
• Increasing online learning and socio-emotional supportive services for parents, caregivers, and teachers.
• Increasing resources to help individuals obtain job opportunities that will raise their income and create sustainable careers.

Testimonials

For some, deciding between Target and Walmart comes down to convenience. Sharon, an East Valley retiree, based her decision on which parking lot was empty enough so she could park her car and sleep.

At 76 years old, Sharon found herself living on the streets due to unforeseen personal matters. After spending a month flip-flopping between store parking lots, on a 114-degree day in June, she came across a flyer for the Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) I-HELP program. I-HELP is a vital part of our MC2026 five-year plan and is funded in part by Valley of the Sun United Way supporters.

Sharon drove to the I-HELP shelter where, for the first time in a month, she washed her clothes and took a warm shower. She spent the night there and immediately began working with a case manager to create an action plan to get her back into stable housing. It's now been two years since Sharon moved into her own apartment, where she also receives nutritional meals from TCAA's Food Pantry.

"I cannot express the gratitude to all the donors who have given generously to help me and so many others," said Sharon. "You helped get me off the streets and into a home. Thank you for being there for me when others were not."

TCAA's I-HELP and Oasis Drop-In Center are two of more than 100 programs that each play a distinct role in achieving our mighty community goal to reduce homelessness in Maricopa County by 50% by 2026.

Your support of Valley of the Sun United Way and our MC2026 plan is creating mighty change for Sharon and thousands of others in our community.