Honoringourpast, lookingforward

In1923, extraordinarylocalcitizensbanded together for a commoncauseand formedwhat isnowUnited Way oftheMidlands(UWM).Initiallycalled The Community Chest,theorganization wasdesigned to pool community resources andinvestincriticalhealthandhumanservices nonprofitsthatdirectlysupported localneeds. Intheearliestdays, funds were raisedfromacrossthe communityandallocated to 32 nonprofitorganizations. And inthe1930s,theorganization temporarilychangedits focus to serve individuals who were unable to receive any government relief

Whilemuchhaschanged,much remainsthe same. UWM is stillatrusted steward fordonordollarsandan agent of change.Asneedshave continually evolved over the years, we have focused resources and expandedthenetwork oforganizations we support—whilealsomobilizing peopleand resources intimesofeconomiccrisis,health emergenciesandnaturaldisasters.

We continue to thrive todaybecauseofthe strategic leadershipofourBoardofDirectors,and theamazing partnerships we’vecreatedwithlocal businesses, state and localgovernment,individualdonors,nonprofit agencies, volunteersandothers. Together, theyallserve to inspirephilanthropy, strengthenthehealthandhuman servicesinfrastructureinour communityandsupportthe work we do

Thanks to thisongoingsupport,UWMnow investsin morethan150nonprofit programs,andhas steppedup to fillunmetneedsthroughdirect services— includingthe211 Helpline and JAGNebraska:

• The 211Helpline isanessentialserviceoffered to theentire stateofNebraska—as wellasIowa on nights and weekends.Itprovidesfreeinformationand referral services to peoplewhomaynotknowhow to findor access localprograms to addresstheirneeds. Connected to morethan19,000programsandservices across NebraskaandIowa, the 211 Helplineisopen to provide assistance 24/7,365 days a year in over 240 languages. In2022alone, the211Helpline recordedmorethan 364,000 contacts— a nearly40% increase from2021 —withcallers’ topfiveneedsbeing: housing,utility assistance, employment,healthcareand food.

•Createdthroughapartnershipwith the Stateof Nebraska’s DepartmentsofLabor andHealthandHuman Services— JAGNebraska isdedicated to empowering studentswith personalandprofessionaldevelopment trainingandsupport to succeedinhighschool,higher education, the workplace andlife.

Since2019, JAGNebraska has grown to serve over1,000 students at 24 middleandhighschoolprogramsacross the state. WiththesupportofGovernorPillen,andUWM’s Emerging Leadersgroup, futuregoals fortheprogramare tocontinue to expand statewideprograms—increasing capacity to serveall studentsthat wouldbenefitfrom JAGNebraska.

A certified JAGCareerSpecialistineachschoolprovides attentionandsupport to studentsthroughhands-on instructionand realistic learning experiences wherethey masteraminimum of 37 and up to 87 core competencies identified by business andindustryas essential to successfulemploymentandpositive outcomesinlife.

When organizationslikeoursachieve 100 yearsof makingapositiveimpact, itis easyto lookbackand marvel at what hasbeenaccomplished.Instead,UWMis usingthismilestoneasanopportunity to look forward andsee howourorganization can continueand expandits work for our community overthenext 100 years.

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1923 – Localcitizensand communityleadersbanded together to create United Way oftheMidlands’prototype, The CommunityChest. We were,and stillare, dedicated to responding to the community’s needs, by investingdollarsin localhealthandhumanservice programsthatmakethe mostimpact.Inourfirst year, funds were allocatedamong 32participatingnonprofit agencies.

1920s –Fromthebeginning, a strongnetworkofhuman services wasessential to addressinterconnected needsinour community. Fordecades, we calledthe membersofthisnetwork“Red Feather”agencies. The Red Feather waspartoffundraising andcampaignefforts,and organizations receivingUWM fundingproudlydisplayeda red featherasa symbolofthis partnership.

1933-34 – With theintroduction of federal relief programs, The CommunityChest temporarilyshifted its focus to those unable to receive governmentaid. Theorganization’s 1934annual campaignlasted10 days withagoal to raise$554,800.

2015 – The Corporate Partnersof the Year awards were established to recognizeorganizations thatgoabove andbeyond to supportUWMandour community.

2019 –SenatorMike McDonnellmadefunding for the211Helplinehisprioritybill intheNebraska Legislature andcreatedapublic-private partnership.

2019 –Duringthe catastrophicflooding, UWM worked to helpwith aidand recoveryefforts raising over$1million andmaking statewide pay-outs,settingup a temporarycall center forFEMA, takingdisaster reports for NEMAand more.