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Success Stories
At the heart of United Way you will find thousands of stories of trials and triumph. When you give to United Way, you're doing more than giving to an organization. Your helping to improve peoples lives. Your gift to United Way of Bucks Counts goes directly to programs that are making a real difference.
If you give to United Way, thank you! For those considering a new or increased gift this year, we need you more than ever. If you've ever wondered how United Way is making a difference, take a few moments to read these stories.
 
Janet has limited communication, reading, and writing skills, and cannot maintain employment. She is capable of living independently, but requires help with tasks like filling out forms and paperwork. She was living in a one room hotel room in unsafe conditions because she could not find stable housing for herself.
With the help of her case manager Deborah at Bucks County Opportunity Council, Janet applied for Section 8 Housing. Even when she was granted a voucher, the landlords she contacted denied her because they thought that she was not capable of living independently. They wanted her to “double up” with strangers. Finally, with help from her case manager, a landlord was found who granted Janet housing. Now, she is enjoying the privacy and security of her new apartment, and her landlord has described Jane as neat, tidy, and a good housekeeper.
Thanks to the advocacy of her case manager at Bucks County Opportunity Council, Janet was able to achieve safer living conditions and self-sufficiency.
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 Like many families, the Caseys had difficulty creating and maintaining a budget. When monthly expenses increased and their hours were cut back at work, they didn’t understand the importance of putting money away for emergencies and often had trouble paying monthly bills.
The Caseys came to Credit Counseling Center wanting to take out money from their 401k to get caught up on their bills. The center’s trained counselors performed a financial assessment of the family, determined that they did not need to dip into their 401k, and sent them home with a budgeting game plan. After several office visits and more guidance, the Caseys paid their bills, budgeted for the future, and began responsible spending habits. Mrs. Casey says, “For the first time ever, I am in control of my bills and have money in the bank.” United Way wants Bucks County families to reach self-sufficiency, and programs like the Credit Counseling Center are making a difference, one family at a time.
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 As Superintendent of the Quakertown Community School District, Lisa Andrejko understands the importance of a quality early childhood education. As a member of the United Way of Bucks County Board of Directors, she sees the impact the United Way is having in this critical area. “I am pleased that United Way values education and recognizes the impact early education has on a child’s success through school and later in life” said Lisa.
In addition to her work on the Board of Directors, Lisa is integral in the continued success of the Quakertown Community School District’s annual United Way campaign. The district won the “Most Improved Campaign Award” at United Way’s Annual Breakfast meeting this past spring.
Not only does the district raise funds and awareness of issues affecting the residents of the Quakertown Community, they also get involved. Strayer Middle School students in the Quakertown District was also presented with the LIVE UNITED award for their hard work in collecting the most food items during the annual Operation Helping Hand Food Drive. “I am extremely proud of our students. They show us every day what it means to LIVE UNITED,” said Lisa. We at United Way know that Lisa sets the example of how to LIVE UNITED.
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 Patti had always dreamed of owning her own home, but there were always obstacles to achieving her goal. Eventually, Patti found educational resources through the Self-Sufficiency Program at the Bucks County Opportunity Council. She graduated as an LPN and began a productive nursing career. Once Patti started earning money, she began thinking again about home ownership.
Patti applied for a home through Habitat for Humanity and completed 100 hours of “sweat equity” by helping build other houses in the area. When she and her family finally moved into their very own home, Patti was proud of what she had accomplished and grateful for the stability. United Way funds programs like the Bucks County Opportunity Council and Habitat for Humanity so that people like Patti can make their dreams reality.
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 At 16, Rebecca was unprepared for the challenges she faced. Her unintended pregnancy had forced her to move from her parents’ house to her grandmother’s house and change schools. She had no support from her friends or the father of her baby.
Rebecca’s school nurse’s office referred her to the Child, Home, & Community program, which offered weekly prenatal classes. She received guidance about medical care, nutrition, and the importance of the health of her baby. She also connected with other young mothers-to-be and received peer support.
Rebecca delivered a healthy baby boy named Ryan, and together they attend monthly sessions of their Child, Home & Community support group where Rebecca learns parenting skills. Thanks to the programs offered by CHC, Rebecca returned to school for her senior year and developed into a thriving parent with a hope for a successful future.
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As the 2009 Campaign Chair and member of the United Way Board of Directors, Bruce not only “talks the talk, he walks the walk.” Through his position as President of First Federal of Bucks County, he leads by example. First Federal runs a workplace campaign that focuses on the impact each individual can make through their donation and their volunteer service. They also match the employees donation dollar for dollar. “The saying GIVE, ADVOCATE, VOLUNTEER is not just a slogan but a way to approach life in our community. We at First Federal want to make a difference in the community where we live and work,” said Bruce.
Under his leadership, team members from First Federal have met with representatives from many of the organizations that are supported by their donations to further understand the needs of the community. Additionally, they have volunteered on numerous occasions to support these programs through Day of Caring projects that include: painting at Headstart, landscaping and clean-up at the Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA) victim’s memorial at Core Creek Park, reading at Child Care Centers, and so much more. So when you wonder how you can LIVE UNITED, ask Bruce or a member of the team at First Federal, they know how to LIVE UNITED.
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 Adam was a normal kid. He never excelled in reading or comprehension, but he loved art and spent much of his time drawing and sketching. Unfortunately, he came from a troubled family and was exposed to drug and alcohol abuse at an early age. Eventually he began using as well.
Later in life, Adam’s illegal conduct got him involved in the court system and he was mandated to complete a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program. Initially, Adam attended the required meetings and group sessions, but was resistant to the program because he wasn’t ready to give up his addiction to heroin.
It wasn’t until a near-fatal overdose landed him in the hospital for over four weeks and left him physically handicapped that Adam accepted treatment for his addiction. When he returned to Aldie Counseling Center, Adam committed to the program and invested in himself. He had to relearn basic motor skills and adjust to hearing loss and walking with a cane, all while overcoming his addiction.
Today, Adam is clean. He volunteers at The Southern Bucks Recovery Center and is on his way to becoming a Certified Addictions Counselor to help others fight addiction. He is especially interested using art for recovery because he has found it to be therapeutic. The counseling that Adam received at Aldie allowed him to beat his own addiction and become an inspiration for the people he now counsels.
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 As a girl growing up in India, Balwinder wondered what it would be like to live in the United States. When she was 44 years old, she finally got the chance to find out.
When Balwinder’s family moved to America, she hoped to find a full time job, become fluent in English, and improve her standing the community. But as a housewife and a mother of two, Balwinder struggled to find the time to work on her English reading and writing skills. The Reading Horizon class offered by VITA Education Services allowed Balwinder to practice her English and improve her vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, and communication skills. She also learned how to use a computer, something she had never been able to do in India. In just three months, Balwinder moved from a Low intermediate level of CASAS Educational functioning to an Advanced level.
Thanks to the Vita Program and funding from United Way, Balwinder is better adjusted to life in the United States and more prepared to begin a career.
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 Jahnee grew up in a family and neighborhood environment where it was difficult to convince girls that they had the same opportunities as girls in other areas. However, when Jahnee joined Girl Scouts in sixth grade, she took advantage of the opportunities presented to her. She was introduced to community service through Girl Scouts and continues to volunteer at a nursing home. Few of Jahnee’s classmates participated in extracurricular activities, but she enjoyed the satisfaction of being involved in her community.
As a senior in high school, Jahnee has overcome negative influences in her community and has reached her goals. She has had great success socially and academically and has been accepted to college in the fall.
Jahnee attributes her success to her participation in Girl Scouting. United Way is proud to sponsor programs like Girls Scouts that help girls realize their potential.
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 Kelly was a single mother of two children. She struggled to support her children, but wanted to end her dependence on welfare. She came to the Bucks County Opportunity Council with the motivation to become self-sufficient.
Kelly enrolled in Bucks County Community College, received numerous awards for her academic and community service achievements, and graduated summa cum laude four years later with a B.S. in Elementary Education from West Chester University. With her education she was able to launch a career that supports her family and keeps her off of welfare. She has already set a goal to earn a Masters Degree in Education.
In just a few years, Kelly was able to turn her life around. The support and encouragement from Bucks County Opportunity Council helped her achieve her goal of self-sufficiency.
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Carmen came to the United States and had to struggle not only with adjusting to a new culture, but also dealing with her abusive husband. When Carmen came to A Woman’s Place, she was afraid for her life and the lives of her children. She was angry at a country and a system that she couldn’t adjust to. She needed help.
After the staff at A Woman’s Place showed her patience, support, and counseling, Carmen could receive the care she needed.
A Woman’s Place provides free, private, confidential service to victims of domestic violence and their children. It offers a 24-hour telephone hotline, a full-service residential shelter, counseling, legal and medical advocacy, and a children’s program. Women like Carmen have been able to escape abuse and rebuild their lives thanks to the resources offered at A Woman’s Place.
Since then, Carmen found a job, day care, and a housing program so she and her children now live violence-free lives.
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 As a 70-year-old woman, Mrs. Ainsworth was enjoying living independently at Bucks County Housing Authority. But when a bad fall injured her and left her unable to walk, use the bathroom independently, or cook for herself, Mrs. Ainsworth felt hopeless. She was afraid that she would have to depend on others for the rest of her life. The Case Manager funded by United Way is available onsite to assist residents in finding help or resources. In this case, the Case Manager helped Mrs. Ainsworth obtain Meals on Wheels, medication adjustments, and temporary services. With her Case Manager’s encouragement and reassurance, Mrs. Ainsworth’s emotional outlook improved. After about 3 months, she returned to her previous level of independence. Funding from the United Way supports the Case Management Program that helps at-risk seniors like Mrs. Ainsworth to maintain independence.
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 After his wife died, Max was having trouble living independently. His eyesight and hearing were failing, and he felt increasingly isolated. He would cry that he had no one to wish good morning or say good night to. His loneliness was becoming overwhelming.
Max moved to Galilee Pavilion, a United Way-funded apartment building that offers quality housing with a supportive care package for low income senior citizens. The environment at the Pavilion keeps Max from ever feeling isolated. The attentive aides keep him active and safe. Max’s hearing is so poor that he cannot hear the fire alarm, but if a problem ever arises, the aide on duty can rush him to safety. Now Max has meals with other residents and interacts with neighbors on a daily basis.
Today, Max can often be seen sketching his fellow residents in the lobby. His quality of life has improved thanks to the opportunity to live in Galilee Pavilion and there are plenty of people to say good morning and good night to.
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 "My name is Deanna Rubino and I am currently attending Delaware Valley College. Recently I went to Biloxi, Mississippi with the United Way for ASB ( Alternative Spring Break) After being accepted I did not understand the impact that it really had on me until I came home. As we drove into Biloxi I could not believe how much devastation there really still is. The camp site was nice, and I got to meet many kids from other colleges and universities across the nation. It was such a good feeling to know that all of the kids as well as I were doing something good over Spring Break.
We got to tour the town, and it was so sad to see. I took many pictures to show my friends how terrible life really is, and how much help the people of Biloxi really need. My friends could not understand why three years after the hurricane, the south needed help. Our jobs were to map Hancock County, and this included finding out who was still living in Biloxi, if any, and what help they still needed. Every person we met was so happy and thanked us over and over.
I heard tragic stories of their journey to escape the hurricane. One man told us that they hurt that Hurricane Katrina was a category 2 and that it would not be that bad, so they boarded the windows and took everything out of the basement and went to a relatives house miles away. When they came back to their home...it was destroyed. It was sad hearing the stories. The last day in Biloxi we helped a lady clean up her yard. She was stationed in Alaska with the coast guard, and had not been to Mississippi since the hurricane. It was sad to see her looking at the place where her house once stood. After being home from Mississippi, I feel like ASB has changed my life.
I want to help as many people as I can, and I cannot wait to go back next year and touch the lives of many others. We hope to organize a seminar here at DelVal to share our experience in Biloxi, if you would like to attend we will keep you updated. I recommend a trip like this to everyone; it is a life changing experience.
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 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities, 24/7, and is being spearheaded by United Ways and Information and Referral Centers in states and local communities.
Right now, there is no 2-1-1 service in Pennsylvania, which is one of the last remaining states in the nation to get this vital community resource. Some regions, including Southeastern PA, are close, and need as much support as possible to make it a reality. Visit www.pa211.org to contact your local legislator or learn more about 2-1-1.
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