Nearly 20% of all people in Cape Girardeau County are living at or under the poverty level. While the programs and services we fund positively impact the entire region, we estimate 1 of every 3 people will be directly impacted by the United Way of SEMO in their lifetime. Many funded partners make an impact on this community including CASA, Community Caring Council, The Salvation Army, SEMO Food Bank, Read to Succeed, Hoover Eldercare, and many others.

In our current funding cycle for 2016-19 United Way of Southeast Missouri wanted to increase the support we give to Scott City. For many years we have invested in a food pantry managed by the Scott City Ministerial Alliance. For this cycle we increased funding to Boys and Girls Club to start an after-school club at Scott City Elementary. Our volunteer-driven Community Investment Committee also chose to fund a new program designed to prepare high school students for college and career paths called Junior Leaders. The 2017 school year will launch Read to Succeed in Scott City Elementary, an early literacy program that invites volunteers to commit 30-60 minutes a week to supports first grade readers. We look forward to seeing all of these programs grow!

Bollinger County benefits from the efforts of United Way of Southeast Missouri across all our movements--education, health, and income. Nearly 1/4 of all children in Bollinger County live below the poverty level and 45% are on food stamps; many of those children (22.6%) will not graduate high school. Our efforts in one aspect of the three pillars of a healthy life will positively affect all others, giving everyone an equal chance to live a healthy, fruitful life.

United Way of Southeast Missouri collected over $70,000 for our Perryville Emergency Fund, established after the tornado that impacted the region 2/28/16. The Long Term Recovery Committee determined how best to invest these funds into the recovery process for Perry County families. Programs we support, including the New Life Mission Inn, the American Red Cross, The Safe House for Women, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Voices for Children, the Perry County Children's Fund and many others all benefit the families living in Perry County.