United Way of the Ozarks

The business of United Way is helping people – the way we do that is by raising money, but it is SO much more.  United Way provides funds for essential services in the community – we generally refer to these agencies as member agencies.  Would you really want to live in a community that did not have these agencies? 

 

United Way also addresses community problems.  Our donors want to know that we are aware of and are doing something about issues such as gang violence, drug abuse, sexual abuse of children, domestic violence, homelessness, underage drinking and early childhood development.  The component of United Way that addresses these issues directly is Community Partnership of the Ozarks.  These employees are employees of United Way, specifically assigned to these very serious problems in our community.

 

United Way plans for the future.  This United Way is the only United Way that includes a provision for your children and your children’s children.  We set aside donor dollars for endowment funds for the future.

 

United Way has developed a complementary service to 911 called 2-1-1.  This is a non-emergency answering service that enables you to talk with a real person about services that you may need in the community including those not related to United Way.

 

United Way has a Day of Caring.  This is a way for volunteers to become more intimately aware of the agencies we are raising money for.  These volunteers are on-site at agencies, providing invaluable time to complete projects that might go unfinished for many years due to a lack of funding (painting houses, building fences, office work).  Many times the projects will involve clients served.  Nearly 1,500 volunteers were on hand in 2007.

 

United Way also has a women’s initiative, Female Leaders in Philanthropy (FLIP).  FLIP raises money for the Backpack Program.  This program provides food for poverty stricken children who might not otherwise have food on the weekend.  FLIP also collects business attire for women and provides annual basic computer training for women who are being served through the United Way member agencies.

 

Decisions as to where the money goes are made by volunteers.  Over 160 volunteers review agency budgets and recommend allocations from the campaign.

 

This United Way determines which agencies benefit from your dollars.  It is different than any other United Way – and each one reflects the community in which it operated.

 

This community is noted for its strong partnerships between agencies and organizations in the community.  We believe that working together we can be far more effective than working alone.

    To learn more about United Way of the Ozarks, visit us at www.uwozarks.com.