Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
United Way and the community will ensure that all people have food to nourish themselves so that no one in Central Minnesota goes hungry.
32,568 individuals gained increased access to food resources.
United Way and the community will increase financial stability and independence among lower-income or struggling households.
17,604 individuals were connected with resources to stabilize living conditions, maintain independence and lessen dependency.
United Way and the community will work to make sure every school age youth is engaged in ongoing experiences that build positive life skills and support from caring mentors.
5,134 school age children and youth were active in quality programs that build positive life skills.
United Way and the community will ensure every young child, birth through 3rd grade, reaches their early learning and literacy potential.
5,158 young children were active in programs building their pre-literacy and reading skills.
United Way and the community will reduce the impact of homelessness with a focus on youth and families with children.
5,417 individuals were provided with supportive services that prevented and/or
decreased homelessness/length of homelessness and reliance on existing services.
Current Goals
Education Goals
Early Learning/Early Literacy
• “Read. Talk. Play. Together Every Day.” Three-year campaign kick off in Summer 2014. Reach 10,000+ parents and care providers with key messaging. Work through 4+ area employers and targeted populations in the UWCM service area.
• Imagination Library book program reaching 11,000+ local children annually with a book a month. Year-round communication with Imagination Library parents started Summer 2014.
• 10+ Little Free Libraries in the ground throughout service area by late Fall 2014.
• Active engagement in Partner for Student Success – Setting common goals among 3 districts.
Quality Out of School Time – Building Youth Life Skills
• In planning: 3-yr campaign to recruit 1,000 adults to volunteer with children & youth to help every child build skills and succeed. Working closely with quality run volunteer programs.
• Child & Youth Education Sessions with a mental health focus provided. 5 sessions annually with 40+ attendees from area schools and non profits working with children, youth & families.
Basic Needs Goals
Homelessness
• Key role in Project Homeless Connect events with community partners
• Build public awareness of realities of homelessness in Central MN (Legislative Lunch ‘N Learn)
• Convener of Housing Study action group focused on access to affordable housing
• Exploring concept of Community Resource Center for persons who are homeless or on verge of homelessness
Financial Stability
• Increase awareness of 2-1-1 Community Helpline as a resource to everyone
• Promotion of Free Tax Assistance Program & recruitment of volunteers: $2,939,512 in refunds for local people in 2014 through trained volunteers.
Access to Food
• Lunch & Learn on realities of food access issues held w/elected officials/community leaders in June 2014. Pac the Mac event – May 2014. 1,000+ volunteers packed 150,000+ meals.
United Way Volunteer Connection
Encourages volunteerism, promotes volunteer opportunities and gets people active volunteering.
• Maximize full potential of new Get Connected software on UWCM website
• 14,000+ visitors to site – connecting individuals & groups with local volunteer opportunities.
• 1,900+ volunteers active in Day of Caring and year round projects
• Engage 30 businesses in Day of Caring & focus on year-round engagement
United Way 2-1-1
Free and confidential community help line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week & online searchable data base helping people access human services information and resources.
• 7,500+ local referrals. Contract with UWGD for services & UWCM conducts outreach.
Community or Constituency Served
United Way of Central Minnesota partners with 53 non-profit organizations throughout Central Minnesota to create a brighter future for our community.
Geographic Area Served
United Way of Central Minnesota partners with organizations within all of Stearns, Benton and portions of Sherburne and Wright counties.
