Joe's Story
It is hard to miss Joe. At six feet two and three hundred and fifty pounds, this gentle giant used his brawn working in a Cleveland manufacturing facility. "I always wanted to use both my brains and my strength to help people, and now I can," Joe Wieczorek says about his new profession as a nurse. After being laid off, Joe turned to the United Labor Agency (ULA), a United Way of Greater Cleveland partner, for help. Joe knew only a little about ULA when he was working. With his plant's closing, however, he knew that ULA was one of the first calls he needed to make. "The people at ULA are great… and under utilized. They gave me hands on assistance," Joe says. According to Ed Lynch, an information referral specialist, ULA helped over 2100 clients last year. After meeting with a case officer and receiving an assessment, Joe took the training courses he needed to become a nurse. "ULA bent over backward to help me get the resources I needed…they were very hands on in their approach." Today, Joe works back to back shifts at Wickliffe Country Place. This allow him to have several days off in a row, giving him time for his family and hobbies, while using his mind and his physical strength to help people. "If you give ULA a chance, it works. I know it does because it worked for me." If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.

Willie's Story
One look at Willie's smile and you can tell he's happy to be part of his classroom at the Center for Families and Children's Rainbow Child Care Center, a United Way community partner. Willie, age 4, is a special needs child who cannot walk without assistance or communicate verbally. However, to his classmates, he's just another pal with some special equipment. By including Willie in all of the regular day care activities and routines in his age group, both Willie and the other children benefit. Willie has made tremendous progress and has developed his own unique way of communicating. And his presence in the classroom helps his fellow students develop a lifelong positive attitude towards individuals with special needs. If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.

Tremain's Story
After serving time for a drug offense, Tremain found employment through Community Re-Entry, a United Way partner agency, working for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority as part of the Care Team. This team escorts and serves senior residents of 18 public housing complexes and also allows ex-offenders an opportunity to ease back into everyday life. Known as the "Red Coats," members of the Care Team don red jackets to let the older residents know that they are there to help. Tremain helps the seniors by running errands such as grocery shopping, banking and picking up prescriptions. He also helps with escort services and night-desk-monitoring. Tremain is a vital part of the Care Team and enjoys serving the seniors of the community knowing that people care for him. Through this program Tremain can do for others as he rebuilds his own life. If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.

Kim's Story
Diagnosed with spina bifida at birth, Kim required extensive medical care including 32 surgeries by age 16. Despite physical hardships throughout her life, her attitude remains positive. With the assistance of the Vocational Services Community Employment program at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), a United Way partner agency, Kim has achieved many of her goals. They assisted her with finding a job at Charter One Bank. At Charter One, she became one of the few supported employees to assume the position of lead worker and was then promoted to her present position of Research Clerk. Kim's co-workers feel that she is a great asset to the team and has boosted the department's morale. Kim feels that UCP was key in giving her the encouragement and motivation she needed to gain full-time employment. Her involvement in the workplace has increased her confidence and given her a sense of purpose and responsibility. If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.