ImpactNow 2020

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore (UWLES) was founded in 1944 to establish a community chest to meet growing community needs. Since then, we have worked in conjunction with community partners to provide opportunities for neighbors in need of support in the areas of health, education and financial stability. Together, with our partners, we provide guidance and financial assistance to over 80 programs in the counties we serve, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties.  We provide students of all ages the opportunity to achieve through strong scholastic and mentoring programs. We improve access to and awareness of local health and wellness services to empower all neighbors to achieve a healthy lifestyle. We advance opportunities for local families and individuals to achieve economic security and reach their goals. Addressing the barriers to financial independence helps strengthen our economy and community.Check us out!

Contributions will be used to support our direct service programs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library providing free books to children birth to five monthly, increasing school readiness, encouraging family involvement, and helping children foster a love of reading. This early childhood education program is a unique and exciting opportunity for children and has become a key resource for the academic success of under-served children worldwide. Participants receive one free book each month delivered via US Mail to their home from the time of enrollment until their fifth birthday. The books are tailored to the child's age and development level and include helpful guides for parents and readers on how to share the story in interactive and engaging ways to help children develop a love for books, promoting quality family time spent reading together creates a foundation for academic success. Imagination Library is an on-going program administered by UWLES that began in May, 2012, serving children in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties. To date 240,000 books have delivered in our service area impacting 9200 children.   

UWLES has partnered with the public library system, local university and local regional health system to create and deliver a health literacy program that provides a teaching tool and user guide to equip community members to effectively participate in the health care system, with emphasis on wellness and prevention, as well as diet and nutrition for children.  This initiative aims to increase competency and confidence for community members to access and implement health information to promote healthy behaviors and make appropriate health decisions.  With a reduction in the misuse of the health care system, associated costs of the misuse decrease, this results in a healthier workforce with improved financial stability due to reduced lost work time, lost wages and unnecessary health care costs.  Another direct health service provided by the UWLES is the FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Program. Results from 2019 of this savings program for our service area indicate a total savings of $245,000. This free program is offered to any individual regardless of income and insurance membership, and brings greater stability to struggling families that often do without necessary prescriptions choosing instead to prioritize food and shelter.

 UWLES supports programs that deliver critical services in times of emergency and those which empower and strengthen families and individuals to become financially stable. UWLES works toward improving the overall wellness of our community with improved access to health services and helping to build the health literacy of vulnerable residents. UWLES’s involvement in early learning and mentoring programs help ensure our youth have the support and tools they need to be successful in school and beyond.  The majority of the families that we serve are under immense financial hardship and are defined as low-to moderate income due to low wage jobs, the cost of living outpacing wages, and affordable housing that is not available near places of employment.