Why it matters:

A community with high rates of employment and home ownership is safe and strong. Individuals in possession of better skills are more likely to find work and retain a living wage to sufficiently support themselves and their families.

United Way's Response:

United Way invests in programs that prepare people for the highly competitive job market, helping them earn the necessary wages to support themselves and their families. United Way also supports microenterprise programs that teach business, finance, and marketing strategies to aid entrepreneurs in developing ideas into successful small businesses.

2004-05 investments :	$1,709,939
Skills developed to meet job market demand	$1,146,501
Jobs that retained and pay a living wage	$336,727
Neighborhood-based microenterprise	$226,711

Some results:

	5,282 people are able to better support themselves and their families because of new job skills.
	More than 1,000 participants have received business development training through United Way funded microenterprise training programs. Hundreds of business are up and running throughout the community.

Did you know.

Persistently high unemployment levels within a neighborhood are linked to high levels of crime, which can drive out investment from a community. (1996 Report to Congress)

Over a 5-year period, 61 percent of low-income microenterprise program participants decreased their reliance on public assistance, raising their household assets by $15, 909. 72 percent increased annual income by $8,484 on average. (The Aspen Institute, 1999)