Betty:
"My name is Betty and I am 70 years old. I want to buy my own food, but I can’t drive to the grocery store and I can’t stand long enough to prepare a meal. I was hospitalized because I broke my hip and then I developed pneumonia. My recovery has taken a long time and when I returned to my home, I found that I needed help. My doctor told me that nutritious meals was one of the keys to my recovery and suggested Foodnet Meals on Wheels. Each day my Foodnet driver delivers my meal right to my door with a smile, and makes sure that I doing alright. The hot meal and friendly visit with the driver is something to look forward to each day. The weekend meals are easy to reheat in my microwave and the sandwiches make a great snack later in the evening. I also get to meet with Foodnet’s dietitian. She suggested a personal emergency response system because of my recent fall, and made the phone calls to get it set up. I don’t know if I will always need these services, but for now I know that I am not alone.
What does your United Way donation look like? It looks like me."
Tanesha:
"Hi, I’m Tanesha! Last summer I moved my three young children—ages nine, four, and three—to Ithaca from Milwaukee to escape an abusive environment. I always had a strong work ethic—I’m used to working two jobs at a time—but starting over in a brand new place meant that I needed some help connecting with local employment opportunities. The Department of Social Services referred me to Challenge Workforce Solutions to participate in Job Club—a six-week program of career exploration and job search assistance. At the end of the program, I landed a hosting position at Monk’s, a cocktail bar on the Commons. I love my job and my coworkers, and my kids are settling in great, too—we even got to take a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer! Looking back on this last year, all I can say is—if you’re scared, do it.”
What does your United Way donation look like? It looks like me."
Casey:
"I was living on my own after my mom died when I was a junior in high school. I didn’t have a Dad— he left us when I was young. I was graduating high school last January and didn’t know that as soon as I graduated, my Mom’s social security benefits would be cut off because I wasn’t in school. That money paid my rent. My Aunt didn’t have room for me and didn’t have the money to help. I found The Learning Web and they helped me with food pantries, applying for food stamps, and talking to Social Security. I want to be a bookkeeper and I was able to do an apprenticeship with an accountant where I learned about bookkeeping. I also was very depressed and anxious and The Learning Web helped me connect with a support group with other teens. It turned out I was wrong about my Social security and I have enough money to pay rent. My mentor is a close adult friend that gives me support and The Learning Web connected me with WorkForce NY Joblink youth program so that I could continue working and making money. Learning Web also helped me visit TC3 to learn about college. I am now a freshman at TC3 and live in the dorms. Maybe one day I can work for my mentor!
What does your United Way donation look like? It looks like me."
Give through United Way of Tompkins County:
Call: (607) 500-GIVE
Text: Local to 313131
