Supporting Effective Programs That Improve Lives

Since 1998, agencies that are eligible to apply for program funding through United Way's General Fund have been asked to measure program outcomes. In the past we wanted to know how many visits were made to a particular client. With Outcomes, we ask the agency to report how the client's life has been improved as a result of the visits.

What's the Outcome?

Impact Area: Food, Clothing & Shelter

• 95% families assisted by the Prevention and Intervention of Homelessness Program of Nashua Pastoral Care Center secured permanent housing for at least six months after receiving a security deposit voucher.
• 100% of families with a disabled family member assisted by the Homeless Prevention Program of Gateways Community Services avoided eviction and utility shutoffs by keeping rent and utility payments current.
• 77% of families that were housed and assisted by the Ann-Marie House of Greater Nashua Interfaith Hospitality Network were able to find secure stable housing arrangements once they left the facility.
• With the assistance of St. Joseph Community Services' Meals on Wheels Program, 79% of participants under study were able to live independently at home for at least one year.

Impact Area: Children, Youth & Families

• 88% of children at the Nashua Child Development Center of Southern NH Services improved their skills at recognizing words and letters, 84% showed growth in matching and sorting objects by color and shape, and 87% demonstrated an increased capacity to follow rules and routines.
• One year after completing the family component of The Youth Council's Court Diversion Program, 93% of youth have had no additional arrests. Behavior and family functioning improved in 91% of children who completed the program.
• After one year of participation in the Mentoring Program of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 99% of the youth were assessed by their mentors as improved in self-confidence, 97% with an improved attitude toward school, and 100% with an improved ability to trust others.

Impact Area: Violence Prevention & Personal Safety

• When leaving the protection and support of the Shelter Program of Bridges, 91% of domestic violence survivors with a known place to go identified it as a safe environment. 100% of those who were assisted by the program continue to use the agency’s services after using the shelter and remain in safe living situations.
• 98% of children in the preschool and elementary school prevention component of the Child Assault Prevention and Treatment Program of The Youth Council were able to identify three strategies to keep themselves safe and can identify a trusted adult other than a parent for help.
• 78% of individuals having court advocates from Bridges' Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Program were granted protective orders or the legal remedy they sought through Nashua District Court, compared to 38% of such cases overall.

Impact Area: Health & Elders

• With the support of the Alzheimer's Respite Program of Home Health and Hospice Care, 97% of participating households were able to keep their family members at home for at least one year.
• 98% of participants in Girls Incorporated of NH's Prevention Connection Program demonstrated increased communication and problem solving skills. 99% of program participants are able to identify at least three trusted adults who they can go to for help.
• 91% of women who received prenatal care through the Comprehensive Primary Care Program of Nashua Health Center delivered babies weighing more than 5.5 pounds, indicating healthy birth outcomes.

(Results are from selected 2008-2009 funded programs.)