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 First, donors make a pledge - to put their dollars into programs that help people help themselves. That makes our entire community stronger. So how does United Way put those dollars to work?
United Way takes a community-wide view of local human needs...and makes a strategic plan to address them. Volunteers and staff believe donors want to see lasting change, and want to make sure programs are available across our metro area.
So the first step is the COMMUNITY CARE FUND - a network of 136 specific human service programs that are operated in our partner agencies. This network serves children, adults, families, senior citizens..and is carefully designed to make sure neighborhoods across the three-county area have services. The goal is to address the Education, Income and Health needs of individuals and families.
Because "community impact" is critical, too, United Way takes the next step -- supporting IMPACT INITIATIVES that take aim at the underlying causes of our neighbors' hardships. The plan - help people make lasting change in their lives that will, in turn, strengthen our whole community. That means strong partnerships with many nonprofit groups, government and private businesses...anyone who can bring valuable resources to the table. These initiatives include:
Financial Stability PartnershipTM
The purpose is to increase the financial stability of working families. It connects them to traditional financial services, financial education and one-on-one personal economic counseling, special matched savings plans and outreach on the Earned Income Tax Credit. United Way works with many partners, including the Federal Reserve Bank, IRS, credit counseling organizations, banks and credit unions and many other private companies to spread the good word about financial literacy.
Dial 2-1-1
This free and confidential phone service connects callers with vital information on local health and human services - low cost counseling, home delivered meals for a relative, positive after-school activities for kids, and more. Callers report needs and the center's referrals are documented, to help our community monitor local conditions and spot emerging trends and gaps in local service. All Nebraskans and the residents of eight southwest Iowa counties have access to the Omaha 2-1-1 call center, hosted by United Way of the Midlands. 2-1-1's available 24/7.
International Center of the Heartland
This Center seeks to facilitate the integration and self-sufficiency of immigrants, refugees and asylees by strengthening civic participation, developing strong leadership in the newcomer community, and increasing access to employment opportunities, education, and social services through a collaboration of current United Way affiliated agencies and new partners from the public and private sector. The Center opened in March 2007 at the Center Mall, 42nd and Center Street, in Omaha, with Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska as the lead agency.
Early Childhood Development - Ready in 5
The goal is to make sure local children are ready to learn when they begin kindergarten; it enriches the school experience for all - students and teachers. Together with Heartland Family Service and YMCA Omaha, a small program is already showing a big impact on the lives of refugee children. "Ready in 5" prepares these kids for their first day of kindergarten. Many of their families have fled war and civil violence to come to the U.S. and Omaha, in particular. Our early childhood focus also includes the "Born Learning" series of simple parenting tips that help children prepare for school learning.
Engaging At-Risk Youth in Community Service
All year long, United Way provides teenagers and pre-teens a number of opportunities to volunteer in community projects. Six metro area school districts host United Way youth volunteer clubs, and UWM operates an energetic summer volunteer program that develops the teens' leadership abilities, while helping local nonprofit organizations.
Older Adults Initiative
This initiative focuses on the current population of people age 65+ as well as the rapidly growing number who will become so within the next 5 to 10 years. United Way is collaborating with other community partners to develop a Continuum of Care governance model for older adults -- to make sure seniors in our community have access to existing and new services that support their health and independence. Transportation is a big focus for the initiative partners.
(READ MORE ABOUT THE impact initiatives...)
Also, United Way of the Midlands' Volunteer Resource Center matches people of all ages with meaningful volunteer opportunities. The Center also coordinates the local Medical Reserve Corps and helps register and assign general community volunteers during times of disaster.
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