United Way of Marion County’s Strong Families Initiative has come to the Dunnellon area!

Currently seeking participants and volunteer mentors!

What is Strong Families?

Strong Families provides individuals and families with comprehensive resources, wraparound support and the services they need to reach real and lasting financial stability.  The initiative helps participants build stronger financial futures by acquiring skills and education, obtaining better jobs and developing good financial habits.

Throughout the program, Strong Families Success Coaches meet with families individually to provide one-on-one coaching. After completing the skill building sessions, families have the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor to provide further coaching and encouragement. Each adult will be able to enjoy a new presenter every week from Budget, credit, goal setting, Barriers of Poverty and so much more.  With attendance each week, participants will receive an incentive $20 Walmart card, so this will be over $300 if participants commit to a perfect attendance and committee to your personal goals.

The program was first launched in 2016 by United Way of Marion County in Ocala. Since then, the program has expanded in size and scope. Strong Families graduates have achieved, permanent stable housing, advanced their education, and increased their household income. The addition of Dunnellon as a second location was made possible through a private foundation donation and is part of Progress Dunnellon. An initiative led by United Way of Marion County, the City of Dunnellon and fifteen other partners, Progress Dunnellon is a multi-year effort to combat poverty in Southwest Marion County utilizing the 2 Gen Poverty Alleviation model.

Where is Strong Families in Dunnellon?

Skill building sessions are held at the First United Methodist Church in Dunnellon.

When is Strong Families?

Dunnellon Strong Families Class 2 starts July 30 to November 12, 2018 for 15 weeks, we are searcher for 15-20 families that are committed to a strong future.  Every Monday night there will be a hot meal served for the whole family and day care offered at the Harmony Day Care, located at the Dunnellon First United Methodist Church.

How do you sign up for Dunnellon Strong Families?

Interested families, referral organizations, and volunteers are encouraged to contact United Way of Marion County. For more information, please call Pebbles Vance, Strong Families Success Coach at 352-732-9696 ext. 215, email pvance@uwmc.org or visit www.uwmc.org/strong-families

“We are very excited to see this commitment to the families in Dunnellon and Southwest Marion County”

– Scot Quintel, President of the United Way of Marion County

For additional community resources contact 2-1-1 at anytime!

2-1-1 is available 24/7 via phone (dial 2-1-1), text (zip code to 898-211), and live chat