Alton Day Care provides needed, quality care

When a salary raise put a single mom out of eligibility for day care assistance, she turned to the United Way funded scholarship program at Alton Day Care.

Art brings new beginnings to many at Employment Connection

The deeply etched lines on Don’s face tell a story. At 48, Don H. has seen a tougher side of life. When set, his jaw is hard-edged to where he can look like actor Dennis Hopper in most any film where he played the bad guy. But, then he smiles. And the light that appears in his eyes when he starts talking about the arts betrays his rough exterior and tells a different story. This story is about who Don is today. 

Teen overcomes odds against him

Perry was determined not to go down the wrong path. But with both his parents incarcerated for repeated offenses, many obstacles lay in that path. The Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, funded by United Way since 1978, made the difference.

Fun, specialized learning at CID helps Allie learn to read, communicate and listen

Three years ago, a South St. Louis family received the news that their 3 year old daughter, Allie, was deaf. At the time, she could say only about 25 words, understood only by her parents. Fortunately, Central Institute for the Deaf was there to help.

75-year-old volunteer gets help while serving

Elizabeth Deshay is 75 years old. As a volunteer with Grace Hill Settlement House, she regularly checks in on her elderly neighbors if they're sick, picks up their groceries or cooks for them.

Joseph learns to behave in school with the help of Crider Center

Joseph was suspended 30 times in kindergarten. His school and parents turned to United Way-funded Crider Center for help teaching him appropriate behavior.

Emma’s finally home

Moving out of the nursing home was a priority for Emma, who, after being diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia had lived in nursing home since 2004. Emma came to Paraquad to help her transition into community-based housing.

Child receives early intervention for stuttering from a United Way agency partnership

Chris and Darran Griggs’ daughter Elizabeth was a normally developing and talkative toddler until she turned three, when she started developing a stutter. An early intervention by United Way agency partners Lemay Child and Family Center and Center for Hearing and Speech gave her just the help she needed.

Camp shapes leadership skills

11-year-old Rico Felton is a veteran camper at Sherwood Forest. Last year, he decided to apply for the 5-day leadership challenge program. There, he learned more than just camping and outdoor skills.

St. Louis Crisis Nursery there for families when a struggle becomes too much

The last thing Marcia, a single mother of four sons, needed was another challenge. When one of her children became sick, Marcia had to quit both her jobs to care for him. She knew she needed help, and decided to call St. Louis Crisis Nursery, a United Way funded agency.

Alzheimer's Association ready to help after an unexpected diagnosis

At 61, Bob Menchhofer was a devoted husband, an active father of two grown daughters and a drama teacher at Ladue Middle School. However, to those close to Bob, something had been a little off for about the past year. Then Bob was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's, and the Alzheimer's Association became a lifeline for him and his family.

Delta Gamma Center lends special help to children like Madisyn

 When Madisyn was diagnosed with blindness at three months old, her parents didn't know where to look. Delta Gamma Center was the answer they'd been looking for.

Tracy learns independent living skills at Developmental Services

When Tracy was born, the doctors told her parents that she would never be able to walk or feed herself due to cerebral palsy and a developmental disability. Thanks in large part to Developmental Services of Jefferson County, she now lives in an apartment and works, cooks and enjoys social time with friends.

Children discover friendship through teamwork

At University City Children's Center, children like Jonathan and Nick get help from unexpected teachers -- other children. 

Cancer survivor now inspires others not to lose hope

Mary Ellen Bruenderman had been an oncology nurse for years and volunteered with the American Cancer Society-High Plains Division. When she realized she was a year behind on her own mammogram, it was time to "put her body where her mouth was," she says. 

Gaining independence and fulfilling her dreams

When Linda Hatch came to Human Support Services, she was living an unstable life, dealing with bipolar disorder, mild developmental disabilities and drug and alcohol abuse. The care, counseling, social skills, education and medical care she received at HSS means Linda is now recovered, employed and living on her own.

Without United Way, Collinsville Area Meals on Wheels could not deliver

Helen Galloway, a volunteer with Meals on Wheels for decades, shares stories of the clients she's seen helped by United Way contributions.

After diagnosing himself with epilepsy as child, Jeremiah Dellas now works with the agency that helped him

When first-grader Jeremiah Dellas heard a school presentation from United Way-funded Epilepsy Foundation of the St. Louis Region, he diagnosed himself with epilepsy. Now grown and seizure-free for 20 years, he's on the board of the same foundation that helped him prevent the illness from taking hold.

Perseverance and a positive attitude pay off for this single mother

Community Link was there for Terri when her one-week-old son, Alex, was diagnosed with viral meningitis. They were there again when, after finally getting back on her feet, Terri tragically lost her 16-year-old son and her house burned down. Read her incredible story of hope and survival.

A Father's Day to celebrate

Lawrence Davis was, he thought, a good father. But, he said, it was an illusion. With the help of United Way-supported Father's Support Center, he said he's celebrating his first real Father's Day this year. Read more in this story from the St. Louis Beacon.

Your pledges are helping protect youth in foster care

There are nearly 6,000 foster children in Missouri and Illinois. Your donations to United Way help protect and care for these youth in a variety of ways. Read more about how your pledges are helping thousands of foster children in our communities – children like 13-year-old Latrina, who came to Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center after suffering educational, physical and medical neglect.

United Way helps here: meeting basic and emergency needs

Food. Shelter. Clothing. These are basic needs most of us take for granted. Hurricane Katrina. The ice storms last December. The power outage in summer 2006. When an emergency strikes, do you know where to turn? Do you know how to find help or give help? With your help, United Way is meeting basic and emergency needs throughout the region.

United Way helps here: building financial stability and independence

The reasons behind financial struggle are as diverse as those who live with it. Standard alternatives for the poor and economically isolated are bleak. For many in our region, living paycheck-to-paycheck is their only option – and sometimes, even that doesn’t cover necessities like rent and utilities. The United Way is building a healthier community by helping people through promoting financial stability and independence.

Responsibility and respect are passed down through Wesley House's youth programming

United Way funding means 12-year-old Sharmayne and dozens of children like her have the opportunity to learn independence, build character and strengthen self-esteem in a safe environment.

At United Services, preschoolers learn through play (video)

St. Peters-based programs focus on integrating fun into early intervention learning for special-needs children.

St. Louis Crisis Nursery is a place where kids can be kids (video)

The nursery provides emergency care to children whose family is in crisis.

Neighborhood Houses strengthens children, families and communites (video)

Communities come together to provide child care, parent education and emergency assistance to those in need.

YWCA empowers women to report and overcome sexual assault and abuse

Kathleen was there to hold Colleen's hand as she told the police about years of abuse.

After a massive stroke, Connie regains her confidence and learns new skills at Wesley House Association

She now volunteers to assist in the same computer classes that she has mastered.

St. Joseph Institute grads work in nation's capital

Two students are making a difference in Washington.

Riverbend Head Start & Family Services program leads to healthier youth

Without the support of United Way funding, Marla may never have gotten the counseling she needed.

Kids in the Middle gives children a voice in divorce

10-year-old Mackenzie tells how Kids in the Middle helped her cope.

Jalissa gives back to the agency that helped her grow

After getting a foothold at Kingdom House, Jalissa finds a way to help.

Girl Scouts reach Beyond Bars to give support, education and hope

Girl Scouts have started a program for girls whose mothers are incarcerated.

Fatherhood Initiative Program breaks cycle of absent dads

Reggie was close to becoming a statistic – raised by a single mother in poverty, enmeshed in drugs and alcohol, not prepared to be a father to his three children. Then he found Catholic Family Services' Fatherhood Initiative.