Women United gathered for their first giving event. What amazing information was shared that night! American Association of University Women presented on giving 7th grade girls the opportunity for STEM camps. Beautiful Girls shared how they are supporting girls &...
Success Stories
Campaign Corner: What Your Investment Means to Me
The alarm buzzes at 5am, in the still of the morning I am in a deep sleep fog. What day is it and which Chamber am I to attend? I rustle myself out of the slumber of a five-hour sleep and realize that I am needed and I am a voice for those who have none. The role I...
Partnerships Help Provide Senior Meals
Operation Homebound is a program that is grant funded by United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties. United Way funding allows for a “scholarship program” for us to deliver cooked meals to seniors that are homebound and cannot afford them. N.P. a 92-year-old client that...
Working with Partners to Create Job Skills
Dear United Way Sponsors/Donors/Supporters, My name is John Mark Hair. I am currently 38 years of age at this writing and totally blind. My life before the Employability program at New Vision for Independence, sponsored by United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties, was...
Giving Families Hope
My name is Charmaine, and I was in an abusive relationship. I have an 11-year-old daughter. My daughter and I were kicked out by my abusive husband. We went from sleeping in our minivan to an occasional couch at a friend’s house. When we were approved to be a part of...
Supporting Tutors for Kids
Our goal is to reward tutored students with a book each month. Also, at the close of school and at the holiday break, each student in a class where a tutor works receives a book (even those tutors who do not receive tutoring). Here are some comments from the students...
Providing Scholarships
Gretta Ellis graduated from the Take Stock in Children program at South Sumter High School in 2004 after joining the program in 10th grade. The help she received after an injury in high school led her to an interest in health care. Even then, her areas of interest...
Early Childhood Programs Make a Difference
I am a single mom and I was working and providing for my first child and paying for childcare. I found myself pregnant again and I found myself in a situation where I needed help. As I was unable to afford paying for childcare for two children. I asked my daycare did...
Helping Children Recover from Grief
13-year-old “Ellie” lost her best friend “Rosie”. They both loved The Simpsons and Friends and playing The Sims on the computer and became best friends very quickly. Rosie’s illness started when she had a cold that she couldn’t get rid of and seemed a bit like the...
Supporting New Vision for Independence
Before Cyndi Jackson came to New Vision, she had lost her job – a career that she loved with a company she’d dedicated more than 20 years to – because of her visual impairment. She didn’t think she could be independence anymore, let alone work again. She found herself...