United Way of Southeast Missouri

Year established: 1953

Owner: Stan Penn, board chair

Locations: Cape Girardeau, Jackson & Scott City

Number of employees: 3

Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Website address:

www.unitedwayofsemo.org

Facebook address:

facebook.com/unitedwayofsemo

Twitter address: twitter.com/UW_SEMO

What products or services do you offer? We are an organization that understands social service issues of individuals and families in our community, and we work to connect them with the services and information they need to be self-reliant.

Phone number: 573-334-9634

What makes your organization unique?

Nancy Jernigan: Our unique role in the community is bringing people with passion, expertise and resources together to address critical issues in our community. As we discover unmet needs, our resources can be used to implement or expand proven strategies. Our resources and relationships make a real difference in the lives of many who live here.

What future plans do you have for your business?

NJ: We are continuing to strengthen families through our focus on education, income and health. In 2013, we are beginning to study how we can have greater impact in our income focus area, helping people with basic needs while working toward financial stability.

What was your biggest success in 2012?

NJ: We were able to expand the Read to Succeed reading intervention program to all five elementary schools in the Cape Girardeau Public School District thanks to a grant from AmeriCorps. We will serve over 200 students in the Kindergarten and first grade this school year with the help of over 150 volunteers and 23 AmeriCorps members. Reading on grade level by the end of third grade is a predictor of success of school. Read to Succeed is showing impressive results and is helping our youngest students get the solid reading foundation necessary for their future success.