United Way is committed to improving the quality of life in the Greater Richmond -Petersburg region. But, in order to do that we must first understand the region's most pressing human service needs. Sound research and data are the tools that provide us with this important information.
Indicators of Community Strength
Community Indicators are measures of conditions within a community that allow us to understand how the community is progressing in particular areas. The indicator report is intended to identify trends for conditions in the Greater Richmond and Petersburg area as well as the 11 localities served by United Way.
Assessments are intended to help United Way, its volunteers, and other community stakeholders deepen their knowledge and understanding of the needs, assets, and community strategies related to each of our focus areas. The Greater Richmond and Petersburg areas are assessed separately to assure that the needs, assets, and community strategies specific to each receive targeted attention.
Children, Youth and Families
The Children, Youth, and Family focus area includes assessments of five goal areas:
Caregivers are effective in preparing for birth and parenting skills. Click for report
Children enter school healthy, ready to learn and succeed throughout their education. Click for report
United way partners closely with Homeward, of Richmond, in our efforts to help homeless or at-risk families and individuals. Homeward's mission is to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness by facilitating creative solutions through the collaboration, coordination, and cooperation of regional resources and services. They have created a Ten Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness focusing on housing stability in the Richmond Region.
Older Adults
United Way is acutely aware of the growing needs of the older adult population. As the population ages the needs of older adults will only increase. Unfortunately, as compared to the two other UWS focus areas of children, youth, and families, and homelessness, there is not the same level of information readily available to inform strategies to address older adult needs. The Older Adult focus area assessment includes information on the following five goals:
Older adults are able to meet their basic needs.
Older adults are as healthy as possible.
Older adults have safe, affordable housing.
Older adults are socially and emotionally supported in the community.
Caregivers will have the skills and supports needed to care for older adults.
