The United Way of Greater Cincinnati unveiled its six bold community goals for the next 10 years at the April 14 volunteer recognition breakfast at Receptions Eastgate.
“In 2009 it was clear to us that Vision 2010 was due for an update,” said Yvonne Washington, executive vice president and chief operating officer of United Way Greater Cincinnati.
The result was Impact 2020, which focuses on improving the community with education, income and health-related goals that the organization is hoping to accomplish in the next several years.
“Impact 2020 is an update of our Vision 2010,” Washington said. “Impact 2020 gives us an opportunity to look a little deeper into what we need to do.”
The educational goals focus on preparing children and young adults to succeed in school and life. The goals are to have at least 45 percent of adults with an associates degree or higher, 85 percent of youth graduate from high school and 85 percent of children prepared for kindergarten, all by 2020.
Income related goals focus on ensuring individuals and families achieve financial stability. The income-related goal for 2020 is to have at least 90 percent of the labor force gainfully employed.
Goals for health are designed to help individuals live quality lives and achieve maximum health and independence. By 2020 the United Way would like to have 70 percent of the community reporting excellent or very good health and 95 percent of the community reporting a usual place to go for medical care.
United Way stakeholders decided to create the goals after coming together and recognizing the need to set regional targets. Not only did the organization want to strive for continued improvement and expansion of other agendas, but they also wanted to expand upon the United Way Worldwide’s bold goals by setting specific goals for the region.
The United Way has many additional agendas for the coming years, but the bold goals for the region were designed for individuals and organizations in the community to adopt and work toward one goal at a time.
Several organizations have already endorsed the bold goals for the region including Butler County Educational Service Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the Leadership Council of Human Services Executives.
“We cannot do at alone, achievement will take all of us,” Washington said at the ceremony. “Where we don’t lead we will support others in their efforts.”
Individuals and organizations were also recognized at the breakfast for the accomplishments they made in 2010.
Community initiatives included the creation and development of several educational programs as well as supporting residents through funding, home improvements and community projects.
The eastern area campaign raised a total of $1,397,548 in 2010.