Lend Your Voice to a Cause

As a leading community impact organization, United Way knows that real and sustained change in community conditions requires more than money. United Way engages decision-makers and policy leaders at the local, state and national levels to help address the most important community needs.

West Virginia's Promise

Building on the legacy of our founder, General Colin Powell, we are the leader in forging a strong and effective partnership alliance committed to seeing that children experience the fundamental resources they need to succeed—the Five Promises—at home, in school and in the community.

Through increasing awareness, advocating for children and engaging in a few powerful initiatives, we use the strength of our partnerships to more effectively and strategically bring the power of the Five Promises to America’s children—enabling them to have the resources they need to graduate from high school, lead happier, healthier and productive lives and build a stronger society.   

2010 United States Census

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years. The census will show state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Census questionnaires will be delivered or mailed to households via U.S. mail in March 2010; many households will receive a replacement questionnaire in early April. Census workers also will visit households that do not return questionnaires.

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a credit for low- to moderate-income workers. The credit is refundable, which means eligible workers get the benefit as a refund, even if they owe little or no income tax. The federal EITC lifts more children out of poverty than any other means-tested program.

United Way of Central West Virginia serves as the lead agency for the Central EITC Coalition, which provides free tax preparation in a six-county region.

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act [S.211/HR.211] is United Way of America's top legislative priority. For information on 2-1-1, please visit the 2-1-1 page or utilize the resources below. For additional information on S.211 please contact Patrick Jackson, Manager of Public Policy, United Way of America at (800) UWA-2757 or patrick.jackson@uwa.unitedway.org

2-1-1 Resources:

* The Cost Savings of 2-1-1
* 2-1-1 in Times of Disaster
* Chronicle of Philanthropy Article on 2-1-1
* After the Storms: 2-1-1 Stories from the 2005 Hurricane Season
* 2-1-1 Fact Sheet
* 2-1-1 Expanding EITC
* 2-1-1 stories from the 2007 California Wildfires
* 2-1-1 Coverage Map
* 2007 National 2-1-1 Call Statistics