Giving to United Way changes lives in San Antonio

Recently, I had the honor of kicking off the 2019 giving campaign for United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.

The city we call home offers an incredible quality of life for many. No wonder hundreds of people move here every day, making this one of the country’s fastest-growing communities. Still, far too many families struggle to benefit from our city’s success.

Consider these sobering statistics:

• Bexar County has the highest infant mortality rates of all major metro areas in Texas.

• Nearly one in five Bexar County students from economically disadvantaged families drops out of high school. An estimated 30,000 youths ages 16-24 do not go to school or work.

• One in three families in San Antonio has trouble paying for basic living necessities.

• Bexar County has the highest rate of reported child abuse in the state, with more than 6,000 incidents last year alone. We also have one of the worst rates of domestic abuse.

These problems might seem intractable, but there is hope to break the cycle if we address the underlying causes.

On behalf of USAA’s 35,000 employees, it is a privilege to chair the 2019 United Way giving campaign at the debut of a groundbreaking approach that concentrates precious dollars on core family and educational issues.

United Way has the right strategy, but it cannot succeed without support. There are many deserving charitable causes, but United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County is uniquely positioned to make a real and lasting impact. Here is why:

United Way is focused. Two years ago, the local United Way made a transformational shift in strategy and funding around four areas at the heart of our city’s greatest challenges:

• Ensuring young children are healthy, happy and ready for school.

• Helping students graduate and be ready for college or career.

• Enabling families and individuals to have stable environments where they can flourish economically.

• Providing a local safety net (food, clothing, shelter) for families facing crises to help put them back on their feet.

These areas guided 2019 investments in local agencies and programs, which are collaborating to address long-standing community issues.

Reberta and her 3-year-old daughter, Gianna, are early beneficiaries.

After graduating from San Antonio’s Highlands High

School and attending a couple of semesters of college, Reberta joined the Army intending to make a career in the military. Then came bad news. She was diagnosed with a medical condition and honorably discharged from the military. Soon after returning to San Antonio and having her daughter, Reberta enrolled at St. Philips College full time while holding down a part-time job. Women United, a United Way initiative, awarded Reberta a childcare scholarship to help her navigate the financial challenges of paying for school and raising a happy, healthy child. Reberta is pursuing an associate degree to become a vision care technician.

United Way is effective. Every dollar received by our local United Way is expertly and efficiently leveraged to support San Antonio children, students and struggling families.

United Way is accountable. Focused funding emphasizes measurable impact. Each has predefined goals and metrics. If something is not working, the agencies will know it and adjust tactics.

With a record of giving generously to United Way in years past, San Antonians have big hearts and helping hands. For decades, USAA and its employees have been among those rallying to United Way causes. And this year, The USAA Foundation, Inc., will match all new or increased United Way contributions of $10,000 or more, up to $1 million total, to multiply donors’ impact.

Every man, woman and child deserves an opportunity for a good life. Whether you have a dollar or $10,000 to give, this is our opportunity to address the big, complex issues that stand in the way. Please consider participating in the 2019 United Way campaign by pledging your support at www.unitedwaysatx.org.

Together, we can create a community where young children, students, individuals and families all have a fighting chance to thrive and share in San Antonio’s success story.

Stuart Parker is CEO of USAA and chair of the 2019 San Antonio and Bexar County United Way giving campaign.

John Davenport / Staff file photo In recent years, the United Way of San Antonio has focused its efforts on education, family support and safety net initiatives. Here, students participate in an anti-drug campaign sponsored by the United Way.