Our mission is to mobilize the caring power of our community to improve the lives of people in need.

UWRI President and CEO Tony Maione

Our overarching goal is to create opportunities for people to do better for themselves and their families. For when any one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

We are already making great progress towards meeting that goal through initiatives that have a real impact on Rhode Islanders.

Consider these achievements:

• Since its launch in June 2007, United Way’s round the clock social service telephone hotline, 2-1-1, has connected nearly 200,000 people to the programs they needed.
  • In 2008, test scores revealed that 1,057 children in United Way supported programs achieved higher levels of school success, while another 585 participated in early literacy activities.
  • $37 million in refunds and saved tax preparation fees have been returned to thousands of lower-income families and individuals and back into the Rhode Island economy since United Way of Rhode Island began investing in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in 2005.
  • 1,105 homeless persons found permanent housing in 2008.
  • During this last year, 792 individuals at risk of becoming homeless remained in their homes.
  • 22,870 individuals and families saw their basic needs met during a crisis situation.
  • $11.4 million in United Way community investments will support the work of 38 Rhode Island human and social service agencies from January 2010 to December 2012.
  • United Way is able to continue developing and growing innovative statewide initiatives that support the building blocks of a good life: EDUCATION, INCOME, & HOUSING.             

Our new call to action, LIVE UNITED, will move us to use our unique position at the crossroads of business, social service and government to reshape the social service system -- as resources continue to be limited -- to better serve people. 

To LIVE UNITED means to answer the call, long revered in our state and country: to come to the table to see what you can give and not what you can get. The issues we face are significant and they demand that we work, even sacrifice for the greater good of our community. Now more than ever we must be willing to give, advocate and volunteer. These words bring new meaning to our work and can deepen and expand our relationships as United Way plays a leadership role in bringing people and organizations together to solve social problems and advance the common good in what is sure to be the most challenging of times. 

As always, I am grateful for the support we receive from our donors, volunteers and tireless staff. Transforming lives is an ambitious agenda, but together we can make it a reality. 

Sincerely,
Tony