The causes and effects of social issues in our community, from poverty to infant health, are complicated and require a shared, relentless focus to solve them. That’s the key finding in a new report from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.

Our Impact 2019 Edition describes the outcomes of programs and partnerships lead by United Way in collaboration with local nonprofit agencies. It’s a follow-up to our first-ever data report issued in 2018 designed to track progress on 10- and 15-year goals in health, education, financial stability, and basic needs.

The latest report reveals new things United Way and our partners are learning as we strive together to solve tough problems—poverty, hunger, infant mortality, educational success, and more. The numbers are sobering in many cases, underscoring the work yet to be done.

“The challenges our regional community faces are complex,” said Chris Sargent, President and CEO. “The solutions aren’t easy, nor are they entirely within our ability to influence. Some strategies may need to evolve as needs and dynamics change.”

Among the learnings cited in this year’s report:
– Awareness, education and adequate wrap-around services are crucial to lowering infant mortality, especially among babies of color.
– Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a lifelong impact, meaning these traumatic experiences must be addressed in education policymaking involving academics and emotion management.
– Major expenses such as child care, transportation, housing and health care greatly affect the financial stability of a household, even in families with two working adults.
– Housing and food insecurity continue to outpace the region’s ability to address them.

By measuring how programs drive progress toward long-term community goals, we can act with our partners to strengthen programs that work, adapt those that don’t, and collaborate on new ways to tackle problems,” said Alyssa Stewart, Vice President for Impact & Engagement. In particular, Stewart said, UWBCKR is targeting programs and investments that deliver better outcomes for people facing racial and economic inequities.

“Shared success depends on shared effort. It depends on people willing to volunteer their time. It depends on each of us making sure the voices of the marginalized are heard—particularly in the state and federal policy realm, where we’re getting more involved. It depends on a united determination to tackle racial and economic disparities that plague communities. And it depends on financial support, which is fuel for every program and partnership,” said Sargent.

The complete report is available online at changethestory.org/impact-report.