Helping neighborhoods by building on assets and engaging residents in developing solutions for community issues is a big part of United Way’s Community Impact Agenda. It’s not just bringing computers and books—but rather bringing a new sense of involvement where people can work together to build a stronger community. There were many accomplishments throughout 2009 and one particular milestone came when United Way of Tampa Bay opened the Sulphur Springs Resource Center on April 13, 2009. The Center opened in response to a need identified by the residents and leadership of Sulphur Springs to have a central location for services to help individuals as access benefits, prepare for their GED, find jobs and develop new skills. During the period From April 13 through June 30, 2009, the Sulphur Springs Resource Center has served more than 750 individuals with more than 900 visits. Through partnerships with Crisis Center, Bay Area Legal Services, Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance and Tampa Metro YMCA, residents receive high quality, customer friendly assistance. It is also a place where community groups meet—working along with United Way—to develop strategies for strengthening the Sulphur Springs neighborhood and making it a better place to live, grow and prosper.

United Way of Tampa Bay brings together many funding partners to support the efforts of neighborhood building in Sulphur Springs including the Spurlino Foundation; Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc.; JP Morgan Chase; and IBM through in-kind donations of computers.

In Pinellas County, United Way is working with the leadership of the North Greenwood neighborhood to develop ways to empower residents to build a stronger and safer community. One of the ways in which this was accomplished was through the North Greenwood Leadership Summit held in April 2009. More than 40 community leaders participated in training on effective leadership and strategic planning. This training resulted in a series of planning meetings involving North Greenwood neighborhood leaders, United Way and other partners which resulted in a neighborhood strategic plan. North Greenwood leaders are now meeting regularly and working to implement the goals outlined in this plan. Involving youth in the community is an important part of United Way’s neighborhood work.

On June 6, 2009, the North Greenwood Youth Summit provide 95 teens and young adults with a wide array of educational workshops. These sessions included Growing Up in a Challenging Environment, How to become an Entrepreneur, Preventing Teen Dating Violence, and Police Presence in the Community.

United Way has also partnered with the North Greenwood Coalition to provide more that 1,000 back-to-school backpacks filled with supplies in August 2008.

Building community brings opportunities to children, adults and seniors. Touching the lives of hundreds of people in Sulphur Springs and North Greenwood,
United Way helps to bring new resources and new hope to these neighborhoods.