United Way of Central New York

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Community change comes down to making a difference, one life at a time. If it’s hard to relate to abstract ideas like “creating community outcomes” or “strategic investment and stewardship,” take a look at the human side of what your gift does.

Every day, people face challenges that they cannot overcome alone. Some of these challenges may seem far removed from the issues many of us face in our daily lives. But life-changing catastrophes can happen to us, or someone we love, in an instant. In these stories you’ll see how your gift helps people overcome hardships and work to build better lives.

“It puts me at ease knowing he’s with people who really care about him. It’s been such a positive change - he’s happy and it shows.”

“Having people who believed I could to it was the most important thing. Their help made all the difference.”

“It means so much to be able to call someone I know when I need help. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without him.”

I was inspired to become a teacher because I love helping people. And I want to inspire my students to help those that are less fortunate.

In 1979, at the age of 14, Loni fled Vietnam on a homemade boat, leaving her family and childhood behind. “I didn’t even know what the United States meant,” she recalled, “but something in my mind was telling me I should go.”

Ben will never forget his first day waiting tables at Provisions Restaurant, a Transitional Living Services program that offers assisted employment to people recovering from mental illness.

Suddenly, you’ve lost your sight. Last month you could drive across crounty—today you can’t see the stairs in front of you. Your family counts on you—but can you still care for them?

Your parents never made it out of high school, and they want so much more for you. No one in your family, no one in your neighborhood has ever gone to college. So who will show you how to choose a school that’s right for you, find a fill out an application, navigate the maze of financial aid?

Imagine just another Saturday with chores to be done. Those leaves need to be cleared out of the gutter. Your fall is broken by the concrete sidewalk and your spine shatters, ending life as you know it. Hard to believe that a full life can still be found…

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