United Way is your partner to drive measurable, lasting impact that none of us can achieve alone
OUR AGENDA for change Thank you for making a donation to United Way of Mower County. Our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. United Way’s key roles are to be pro-active in moving people forward on our mission and goals while providing for their basic needs and connecting community members with community services. The purpose of this is to update you on the exciting work we are currently doing. Back in 2010 a group of community members conducted a community assessment of needs. In 2011 the process grew to community conversations around the topics of Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. The United Way of Mower County Board of Directors entered into planning with all the information from the community assessment of needs, community conversations and data specific to Mower County residents. The result – The Agenda for Change.
The Agenda for Change is not just a document. It’s not just the result of careful planning. It’s about investing in local nonprofits and programs that deliver innovative strategies and measurable results in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. Education: Improve learning and development of children pre-k through 12th grade Income: Decrease the number of individuals and families classified as living in poverty or the working poor Health: Increase healthy behaviors, wellness and health care access Basic Needs: Provide for the basic needs of people to stabilize their lives. We are committed to a movement of change. We are committed to seeing change happen here. It’s a movement to move community members to lead independent self-sufficient lives. It is our hope that you will partner with us on this work. For more information about your donation at work, the Agenda for Change or how to become involved in the grant process please visit us on the web at www.uwmower.org.
EDUCATION A quality education is cornerstone to a successful life. Investing in early childhood education is just the beginning. We know children who can read at grade level by third grade are 4x more likely to graduate. We know without a high school diploma the opportunities for quality employment drop significantly. Children who are not learning exact a high toll on society. Investing in our children now provides them with the opportunity to become healthy, productive members of our community
GOAL • Improve learning and development of children pre-k through 12th grade STRATEGY • Offer quality early learning so that children enter kindergarten developmentally on track • Provide support for all students to advance them academically • Provide post-secondary & career options OUTCOMES • Increase access to early learning • Increase access to academic support • Increase access to post-secondary and career options
INCOME On average local families need to make $58,000 for a family of four to afford their most basic needs of shelter, food and clothing. We want to provide working individuals with the knowledge and skills to earn a living wage, begin saving and stop the cycle of need. Throughout Mower County we need to connect individuals and families with programs that will help them increase financial stability, improve job skills and work opportunities.
GOAL • Decrease the number of individuals and families classified as living in poverty or the working poor STRATEGY • Build financial literacy for individuals and families • Provide basic needs for employment (such as language, childcare & transportation) • Provide skill development to improve opportunities for job placement OUTCOMES • Increase financial literacy skills • Increase access to basic skills for employment • Increase access to education and/or job training
HEALTH A community’s strength reflects the health of it’s residents. We believe everyone should have access to the health resources they need to make healthy decisions every step of the way and access to quality, affordable health care is tantamount to the building blocks of a good life. Without our health, we can’t achieve the rest.
GOAL • Increase healthy behaviors, wellness, and health care access STRATEGY • Offer early interventions for mental illness through community settings • Provide knowledge and prevention programs • Off affordable basic health care OUTCOMES • Increase access to non-hospital mental illness programs/services • Increase healthy behaviors • Increase access to affordable basic health care
BASIC NEEDS While we work to address the root causes of issues facing our community, we realize there are individuals and families who need our support right now. Food, clothing, shelter, and safety are basic needs every individual should have. As we work pro actively in moving people forward we need to make sure basic needs are met to stabilize lives.
GOAL • Provide for the basic needs of people to stabilize lives. STRATEGY • Supply nutritious meals and personal care items to those in need • Help homeless or near homeless access shelter • Ensure children are safe at all times including times of crisis OUTCOMES • Increase access to nutritious meals for people in need • Increase access to personal care items for people in need • Increase access to shelter for people in need • Increase children’s access to a safe environment
United Way of Mower County 301 North Main Street Austin, MN 55912 Š2013 United Way of Mower County