United Way of Marion County
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
ENEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL UNITED WAY



My name is Deborah Shima, I am a single mom of an 8-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son with Autism.
We recently moved here to Ocala from Pennsylvania as we were escaping living in a very drug ridden and violent inner city.

I had been contemplating moving for a while but the final straw was a shooting right behind my house. I have friends who live here in Ocala and they told me to move to Marion County to get a fresh start. So I packed up my children and came to Ocala.  We stayed with friends for a couple of months but two families in one house seemed to be to much for me. We found out about the transitional housing program at the Salvation Army Center of Hope and we are staying there at this time.

While staying there we were approached by a case worker about the Strong Families Initiative program by the United Way and I immediately said "Yes, sign me up". Any help that I could get on the 15 skill-building sessions to help my family sounded great. The Strong Families program has provided my family with resources, being new in the area, and I love the motivation and encouragement I receive from this program and the program manager.

The Strong Families Initiative program has helped me by giving me the opportunity to learn new skills or touch up on skills I already had, like setting goals, making a budget, career information and further education information.
Strong Families has also connected me with a local housing agency to help me get into a beautiful three bedroom home so my two children and I can leave the shelter at The Salvation Army.

I appreciate the encouragement and support that I am getting through the United Way. Thank you for your donation to United Way.  You have really helped me move in the right direction.
QUICK FACT:  Through September, United Way's 2-1-1 information and referral line received 12,272 calls for assistance.  53% of those calls were from first time callers.

If you need assistance, you can call, chat on-line at ( http://www.uwmc.org/2-1-1/ ) or Text your zip code to 898-211 (TXT-211)
United Way's Youngest ReadingPal!
Tori Richards, America's Pre-Teen Miss Florida, is excited to be a part of the United Way of Marion County's Reading Pals Program! She is our youngest ReadingPal! Tori thinks that reading to young children is so important for literacy and growing a good vocabulary. As part of Tori's platform she will be educating others about the importance of early literacy. Tori has read hundreds of books, but "Island of the Blue Dolphins" is her favorite. 
 
You can see Tori in action at the "Clifford the Big Red Dog" reading event at the Belleview Library on Tuesday, October 18th at 9:30 a.m.
Marion County Schools kick off their United Way Campaign with style!
Marion County Public Schools kicked off their employee and student campaigns in October with representatives from various schools learning about how the United Way impacts the families and children that the school system see every day. Last year, Marion County schools provided 20,506 services to our community through meals served, shelter provided, counseling sessions and support to area youth because of their support through United Way.

Eight volunteer Loaned Executives energized and educated school and department coordinators about the services United Way provides and how to bring that information to their employees and families. 
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Harvest Hustle 5K/10K/Duathlon

United Way's 3rd Annual Harvest Hustle is next Saturday, October 22nd at Silver Springs State Park beginning at 8am.

New this year is adding the 5K and this race being a part of the Big Hammock Race Series! All finishers will receive a finisher medal.

Read more and Sign Up Today!



Local workplaces and individual gifts have helped us raised nearly $1 million for Marion County. 

We welcome the following new workplaces to United Way:
  • Combined Insurance
  • FedEx Ground
  • HDG Hotels
  • Lindsay, Crabb & Assoc
  • Ocala Hilton
  • Prime Mortgage
Thank you so much for giving your employees the opportunity to give back to our community.

Make the most powerful investment possible by giving to United Way.  Giving through payroll deduction at your workplace may be the easiest. If that isn't an option for you, click here to Give Now.



Session 3 features wine and food!
United Way's Women's Leadership Council, Women of Worth, will host their third event in the Design, Decorate and Discover series with A Night on Broadway event presented by CenterState Bank that will feature holiday wine pairings and entertainment. 

Ocala Health is our women's health partner and will start the evening with a quick topic on eating and drinking to be heart healthy during the holidays.  

Date: Thursday, November 10th
Time:   5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Brick City Center for the Arts at 23 SW Broadway St.
Cost: $25

RSVP deadline:Friday, Nov. 4th


United Way of Marion County 1401 NE 2nd St, Ocala, Fl 34470
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