Tuesday, July 16, 2013 10:57 am

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties partners with programs in the local community that impact the areas of education, income, health and rebuilding lives.

In the area of education, 13% of people living in Rutherford County and 24% of people living in Cannon County have less than a high school education.

But, because of United Way, 3,049 students received access to safe after school programs including mentoring, tutoring and homework help and 18,080 students received character building and violence/bullying prevention services.

Eight point three percent of people living in Rutherford County and 12.8 % of people living in Cannon County live below the poverty line.

However, because of United Way, 939 individuals in Rutherford and Cannon Counties were provided safe emergency housing and 1,404,634 meals were provided to individuals in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.
United Way also partners with organizations in our community to provide the VITA Program. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA program, is a free service that aids qualifying local residents with annual household incomes of $51,000 or less in claiming their tax refund dollars.

The 2013 VITA program completed 458 tax returns with more than a $653,229 investment through tax refunds in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

Sixteen percent of adults in Rutherford County and 18% of adults in Cannon County are uninsured.
But, 2,418 individuals received health care services because of United Way. Additionally, $401,606 was saved in 2012 through the use of FamilyWize prescription discount cards in the local community because of a partnership with United Way.

Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment, followed by physical abuse. But, 276 families received child abuse prevention services because of United Way.

Over five thousand crimes of physical or sexual assault against persons were reported in Rutherford and Cannon Counties in 2011.

But, because of United Way, 1,570 abused children and adults received support or counseling services.
More information about how United Way is impacting the community can be found at www.uwrutherford.org.