Helping Families Thrive | Ayudando Familias a prosperar

Cindy, Gabino and Elena

When Cindy arrives at Time for Tots day care, her smile broadcasts her happiness. Cindy likes playing house and doing art projects at Time for Tots. And, she loves the swing.

Cindy’s parents, Gabino and Elena, know that their daughter is happy and safe while they are both at work. Time for Tots, a program of SOS Community Services, a United Way funded agency, provides day care for low-income and homeless families so that they can work to gain stable housing.

Cuando Cindy llega a la guardería Time for Tots, su sonrisa irradia sufelicidad. A Cindy le gusta jugar a las casitas y hacer proyectos dearte en Time for Tots. Y también le gusta mucho el columpio.

Los padres de Cindy, Gabino y Elena, saben que su hija es feliz y está cuidad amientras ellos están en el trabajo. Time for Tots, un programa de SOS Community Services, una agencia patrocinada por United Way, proporciona servicio de guardería para familias con bajos ingresos y familias sincasa para que puedan trabajar y así conseguir vivienda estable.

Getting a Second Chance

Kevin

At 17, Kevin was a high school drop-out, homeless, without family support. He had grown up in a series of foster homes, due to his mother’s substance abuse. Kevin turned to Ozone House, a United Way funded agency, to find a job and a place to live. Food Gatherers, another United Way funded agency, created an internship to teach Kevin marketable skills. Now a GED graduate who will be starting college soon, Kevin helps provide "rescued" food to nonprofits and plans to continue volunteering at Food Gatherers. "Ozone House and Food Gatherers gave me a second chance," he says. "It feels good to give back to the community that helped me."

Providing Stable, Secure Homes

Rosie

"I have so much work left to do for the children," says Rosie.With the help of the Grandparents As Parents (GAP) program at Catholic Social Services, a United Way funded agency, Rosie has single-handedly raised nine children of her own plus a grandson, a great granddaughter,and an adopted son. In addition, Help Source, Peace Neighborhood Center and Washtenaw Camp Placement Association-–all United Way funded agencies–have been there to help Rosie give her great granddaughter Andrea opportunities she wouldn't otherwise have.

Ending Domestic Violence

Gary

Violence had been a way of life for Gary. Despite his continuing efforts to change in positive ways, including substance abuse recovery through Dawn Farm, a United Way agency, Gary’s family still suffered from his violent outbursts. He turned to Catholic Social Services,another United Way funded agency, for help. Through Alternatives to Domestic Aggression (ADA), Gary learned how to handle conflict without violence. "ADA changed my core beliefs," he says. "And in the process, it changed my life."