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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

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Health

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Supports programs that provide resources and opportunities for individuals and families to lead a healthy and safe life.

The health of individuals is a strong indicator of the health of a community. Achieving and maintaining good health is important during all stages of life, from conception through childhood, into adulthood and through older age. To improve the health of our community, we must all become more aware of health risks, starting from before birth. Whether it is a teen struggling with persistent feelings of hopelessness, a senior in need of home health care, or a survivor of abuse seeking a safer environment, United Way is fighting to improve the quality of life for all.

Our community is healthier: Last year, 72,475 youth and adults had increased access to health care programs, health and wellness services, and safer and healthier communities.

In 2024-25 United Way is investing in over 65 programs, including community-wide initiatives.

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Health Objectives

Increase the number of individuals who: ​

  • Are able to live independently and with dignity.
  • Have access to high quality and affordable mental, behavioral, dental, and general health care services.
  • Have access to prevention education and can avoid risky behaviors.
  • Have a network of support for children with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
  • Have access to domestic and intimate partner violence support services.
  • Have access to high quality, affordable prenatal care and pregnancy support services.

Program Areas

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Access to Healthcare

United Way is removing barriers to ensure all youth and adults have access to quality and affordable health care. To do this, we invest in programs that provide access to general, dental, prenatal, perinatal, behavioral, and mental health care. 

Initiatives We Lead 

Empowering Minds - A key initiative that focuses on prevention, equity, and access to mental health services for local high school students.

Health Improvement Fund - Increases coverage, access, care coordination, and community health in Milwaukee. 

Our Impact 

Of those that participated in United Way-funded health care access programs:

  • 98% felt they received the support they needed in making decisions
  • 99% felt they used the resources they had been given
  • 98% felt they received the education they need to care for themselves
  • 98% felt they had ownership over their own care
  • 98% felt they were able to make their own decisions
  • 98% felt they were included in setting a plan for their own health
  • 91% felt their pain was relieved or managed
  • 98% felt their needs were met

Of adults who participated in United Way-funded behavioral and mental health programs:

  • 87% were better able to identify stressors in their lives
  • 87% were able to create a plan to manage their stress
  • 87% learned skills to cope with their stress
  • 85% were better able to communicate with others
  • 87% felt their relationships were better
  • 88% were better able to function at school or work
  • 87% had a better understanding of the problems they were struggling with
  • 88% knew specific steps to improve their situation

Of children who participated in United Way-funded behavioral and mental health programs:

  • 94% felt their social/emotional well-being was supported within the context of the family
  • 90% maintained or improved behavior at school
  • 90% maintained or improved behavior with their peers
  • 91% maintained or improved their behavior at home
  • 84% displayed signs of improvement in social skills
  • 81% displayed signs of developmental improvement in self-regulation of emotions
  • 87% displayed signs of developmental improvement in communication skills

Of those that participated in United Way-funded pregnancy parenting and support services programs:

  • 98% were connected to a medical home
  • 99% brought baby in for a six-week checkup
  • 92% attended a parenting program or were referred to a parenting program
  • 100% were educated on the benefits of breastfeeding
  • 100% were educated on safe sleep environments
  • 98% were observed using a safe sleep environment
  • 99% were educated about the effects of smoking and second-hand smoke
  • 99% had a healthy pregnancy outcome
  • 93% carried the baby to term
  • 90% delivered a baby with a healthy birth weight

Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships 

Health & Wellness

United Way supports youth and adults of all ages and abilities to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live with independence and dignity. We do this by investing in programs that provide older adults with support and independence, services for children and adults with disabilities, and their families and caregivers.. 

Our Impact

Of the adults who participated in United Way-funded disabilities programs:

  • 94% felt their financial concerns were addressed
  • 93% felt their housing concerns were addressed
  • 94% felt their employment concerns were addressed
  • 95% attended social activities
  • 95% were connected to support networks
  • 95% engaged in socialization and friendship opportunities
  • 93% interacted with other members of the community
  • 94% understood their rights
  • 99% felt they were treated with respect and dignity
  • 96% improved their daily living skills
  • 98% achieved goals they set for themselves
  • 99% participated in making their own choices
  • 98% let their needs be known (advocated)
  • 99% felt safe and secure in their environment
  • 96% were better able to cope with stress

Of the children who participated in United Way-funded disabilities programs:

  • 98% cooperated with other children
  • 99% maintained appropriate behavior or improved behavior
  • 96% displayed signs of developmental improvement in self-help/adapting
  • 98% displayed developmental improvement in cognitive skills
  • 97% displayed developmental improvement in motor skills
  • 97% displayed signs of developmental improvement in communication skills
  • 96% displayed signs of developmental improvement in pre-literacy/literacy skills
  • 98% displayed signs of developmental improvement in social skills
  • 97% displayed signs of developmental improvement in self-regulation of emotions

Of the caregivers who participated in United Way-funded disabilities programs:

  • 99% received the services they needed to better care for the individual
  • 99% received information on other community resources that they needed
  • 99% felt that the program helped them to make plans for the individual’s future
  • 98% felt that the program used them to understand rights and advocate for the individual

Of the adults that participated in United Way-funded older adult support and independence programs:

  • 76% understood their rights
  • 93% felt their culture was respected
  • 88% felt their spiritual beliefs were respected
  • 99% felt that they were treated with respect and dignity
  • 45% had their financial concerns addressed
  • 43% had their housing concerns addressed
  • 89% had their physical health concerns addressed
  • 92% felt safer and more secure
  • 74% were more physically active
  • 82% were better able to cope with stress
  • 90% attended social activities
  • 93% socialized and made friends
  • 76% felt they had a voice in making their own choices
  • 76% expressed their needs
  • 74% could solve their own problems
  • 74% maintained/improved their daily living skills

Of the caregivers that participated in United Way-funded older adult support and independence programs:

  • 100% felt supported, which helped them as caregivers
  • 100% were able to continue to work/seek employment
  • 98% received help in accessing the services they needed to better care for the individual
  • 95% were able to make plans for the individual’s future
  • 100% understood their rights and advocated for themselves
  • 93% received information on other community resources that they needed 

Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships

Safe & Healthy Communities

United Way transforms communities through education and access to support, making healthy choices easy, safe, and affordable. We do this by investing in programs that provide preventative health education, support survivors of intimate partner violence, house youth who are homeless, and encourage mediation and healthy conflict resolution. 

Our Impact

Of the adults who participated in United Way-funded chemical abuse and dependency programs:

  • 100% reduced their alcohol/drug use
  • 100% felt their mental health has improved
  • 100% felt their level of happiness has improved
  • 89% felt their relationship with their children has improved
  • 95% felt that other relationships in their life have improved
  • 100% felt they had people to support them
  • 100% felt they had made progress towards their goals
  • 100% felt more connected to the recovery community

Of those that participated in United Way-funded health education prevention (health) programs:

  • 99% were given other resources they needed
  • 100% demonstrated an increased knowledge of HIV and/or STIs
  • 100% were aware of their HIV and/or STI status

Of those that participated in United Way-funded intimate partner violence (victim safety) programs:

  • 94% felt more confident in their decision-making skills
  • 96% felt they could achieve the goals they set for themselves
  • 93% had more knowledge about safety planning
  • 92% were more aware of resources they could use in the future
  • 90% knew more about their rights and options in the legal system

Of those that participated in United Way-funded intimate partner violence (batterer’s intervention) programs:

  • 100% displayed intent to remain violence free in the future
  • 100% had a better understanding that the abuse was their fault
  • 100% felt they had a better understanding of the effects of domestic violence

Community Coalitions, Collaborations, & Partnerships

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Initiatives

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Mental Health Improvement Fund

Connects people of all ages to community-based mental health services.

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group of high school student leaning against a mural

Teen Mental Wellness: Empowering Minds

Supports school-based youth mental health services and resources.

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Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Collaborating with cross sector organizations and individuals to reduce Milwaukee's teen pregnancy rates.

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Stories

Chris Allen, Diverse & Resilent President and CEO

Health: Diverse & Resilient

Chris Allen, President and CEO of Diverse and Resilient, was once supported by the organization when he was a youth in the LBGTQ+ community.

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Waukesha South High School student

Teen Mental Wellness: Empowering Minds

Teen Mental Wellness: Empowering Minds is a unique health initiative reaching youth where they spend most of their day: school.

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Maddie is a counselor at Ozaukee Family Services.

Health: Ozaukee Family Services

Anyone can benefit from the counseling at Ozaukee Family Services, from children experiencing a life change to seniors in need of assistance.

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A picture of seria, a young woman in a wheelchair smiling.

Health: Seria

Seria is passionate about building community for people with disabilities with support from United Way partner Independence First.

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Health: Tasha

With the support of United Way funded partner Meta House, Tasha is celebrating four years sober and living a life she loves.

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Health & Wellness: Megan

Meghan loved her friends at the JCC and was able to stay connected virtually when she moved away.

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Health: Judy

Born with vision impairment, Judy struggled until Vision Forward got her the support she needed.

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Education: Fardowso

PEARLS for Teen Girls supports young women like Fardowso as they explore careers and build their identities.

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Education: Chao

Chao achieved his dream of going to college with help from a United Way partner.

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