WELCOME
Dear Friends,
It is with immense gratitude and excitement that I share this year’s annual report—a reflection of the progress we’ve achieved together and the future we are building as a united community.
Imagine a place where every child thrives in school, every family has a stable home, and neighbors support one another in recovery from any challenge. United is the Way we make this vision a reality, powered by your generosity and commitment.
This year, your support has transformed lives. Through our early learning hubs in Multnomah and Washington counties, children as young as three are learning coding and robotics, building skills for a lifetime. Families have found housing stability, creating foundations for success. And when disaster struck, your contributions helped communities rise stronger, united in resilience.
United is the Way we create opportunity, foster equity, and build lasting change. These pages are filled with stories of hope and progress— proof of what’s possible when we come together.
As we celebrate these milestones, we also look to the work ahead. Together, we’ll tackle the root causes of inequity and empower every individual and family to thrive. Your support is more than a gift—it’s an investment in the future of our community.
Thank you for standing with us. United is the Way we move forward—toward a brighter, more equitable future for all.
KELLY O’LAGUE, MSW PRESIDENT AND CEO
A NEW LOOK FOR A NEW ERA
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is thrilled to join United Way Worldwide as an early adopter of a bold, refreshed brand that reflects our evolving approach to community impact. As part of the United Way network—one of the world’s largest privately funded charities—we’re embracing a dynamic new identity that matches our 137-year legacy with a forward-thinking vision for change.
At the heart of this refresh is a powerful new theme, United is the Way, which transforms our name into a call to action. It’s an invitation for everyone to join us in creating lasting change in four key areas: youth opportunity, healthy communities, financial security, and community resiliency.
The revitalized look, including an updated logo that symbolizes our agility and real-time response to pressing needs, reflects our commitment to tackling challenges with innovative solutions—right here in the Portland metro area and beyond.
Stay tuned as we roll out the new branding and continue to unite for a brighter, more equitable future. Because now more than ever, United is the Way to make a difference!
HELPING THE HELPERS: STRENGTHENING THE FRONTLINES OF HOMELESS SERVICES
In a bold step toward addressing workforce challenges in the homeless services sector, the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) partnered with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette to distribute $10 million in Workforce Stabilization Grants. These funds supported 61 service providers and directly benefited 3,520 frontline workers, empowering organizations to combat high vacancy rates, low wages, and retention struggles.
The grants provided a lifeline to nonprofit organizations facing unprecedented demand and chronic workforce issues. With flexibility at the core, providers utilized funds to increase wages, create new positions, and offer much-needed employee support. Culturally specific organizations serving marginalized communities received targeted funding, ensuring resources reached those most affected by homelessness.
United Way’s expertise enabled rapid distribution, with funds reaching providers in just 11 weeks. This innovative nonprofit-government collaboration streamlined support, helping providers stabilize their workforce and focus on delivering critical services.
While this round of funding was a one-time initiative, the Joint Office’s proposed FY 2025 budget includes $10 million to sustain similar efforts. These investments represent a transformative step in strengthening the workforce behind the region’s response to homelessness, paving the way for long-term impact.
"I just liked the idea that I could be patient with how to best use these funds to support our staff and be responsive to emergent issues. The flexibility allowed us to discover new resources, like the Homeless Training Library, that we hadn’t even known about when we applied. That kind of adaptability is invaluable in our work." - Scott
Kerman, Executive Director of Blanchet House.
$10M GRANTS DISTRIBUTED
61 PROVIDERS SUPPORTED
<2 months TO DISTRIBUTE
“Since receiving the grant, we’ve enhanced support for our employees through best-practice training to navigate conflict, while increasing salaries for staff on inequitable contracts. This funding has been vital in sustaining critical services in schools and fostering equity, including support for employees with DACA status. These efforts have strengthened our team and their ability to serve our community effectively.” - Jovana Bustamente, Director of Economic Sustainability at El Progama Hispano
ALICE: ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED
Each year, United Way commissions a study of financial hardship called ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE workers are those who are employed and earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but don’t earn enough to afford basics. In the four counties we serve — Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah and Washington — 32% of households are ALICE households. When you add households that live below the Federal Poverty Line, 42% of households in those counties are at or below the ALICE threshold.
BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE
Income below the Federal Poverty Level (current Federal Poverty Line for a family of 4 is $30,000 total annual income)
ALICE HOUSEHOLDS
Income above the Federal Poverty Level but below what is needed to afford the cost of basic expenses
ABOVE ALICE THRESHOLD
Income above the cost of basics
Percent of Households below ALICE Threshold by Race/Ethnicity (Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah and Washington counties)
Asian (38%)
Black (64%)
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (42%)
Hispanic (57%)
American Indian/Alaska Native (55%)
White (40%) 2+ Races (53%)
AT UNITED WAY, WE WORK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THESE ALICE HOUSEHOLDS. JOIN US TO ENSURE ALL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CAN THRIVE!
EVICTION LEGAL DEFENSE SPOTLIGHT: KATIE KUNHAUSSEN
KatieKunhaussenworkedhardtosupportherfamilyasasinglemotherofthreeinVancouver,Washington,but life’schallengesleftherinaprecariousposition.CaughtinthegapthatUnitedWay’sALICE(AssetLimited, IncomeConstrained,Employed)reporthighlights,Katiewasearningtoomuchtoqualifyforassistancebutnot enoughtomakeendsmeet.
“Ilost$900infoodstampswhenIgotasmallraise,”Katiesaid.“ItfeltlikeIwasbeingpunishedfortryingto improvemysituation.”ForfamilieslikeKatie’s,thisstruggleisalltoocommon.InthefourcountiesUnitedWay serves,32%ofhouseholdsareALICEhouseholds,with42%atorbelowtheALICEthreshold.
Facingeviction,KatieturnedtoUnitedWayoftheColumbia-Willamette’sEvictionLegalDefenseFund.“Iwasn’t sureiftheycouldhelp,butIhadtotry,”sheshared.Dayslater,UnitedWaycalledwithlife-changingnews—they couldhelp.“Icried.Forthefirsttimeinmonths,IfeltlikeIcouldbreatheagain.”
Katie’sstoryisoneofresilienceandthepowerofcommunitysupport.“UnitedWaygavemethechancetostart fresh,”shesaid.“IfIhadn’treachedout,Iwouldn’thaveahomerightnow.”ThroughprogramslikeALICEandthe EvictionLegalDefenseFund,UnitedWayisworkingtoensurefamilieslikeKatie’snotonlysurvivebutthrive.
OurHousingteam,alongwithourpartnersatMetropolitanPublicDefenders,OregonLawCenterandPortland CommunityCollege’sClearClinic,havebeenabletohelp2,579householdsstaysafeintheirhomes.This preventativeworkhelpsourcommunitystaystrongasthecrisisinhomelessnesswearefacingcontinues.With yoursupport,wecancontinuemakingstorieslikeKatie’sarealityforhundredsofmorefamiliesandindividualsin ourarea.Wehopeyou’llcontinuetoworkalongsideusasweseektocreateamoreresilient,equitableandsafer communityforusall.
EMPOWERING REFUGEE FAMILIES THROUGH CHILDCARE
AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
United Way’s Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) program proudly announces the launch of the Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development Program, funded by a $221,398 federal grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. This initiative empowers Spanish-speaking refugee families to achieve financial independence by establishing licensed family childcare businesses. In partnership with Washington County Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), a program of Community Action, ELWC is creating economic opportunities while expanding access to quality childcare.
The program equips refugees with tools and guidance to become licensed childcare providers and join CCR&R’s Focused Child Care Networks for mentorship and support. This effort strengthens local childcare services while fostering stability and belonging for families rebuilding their lives.
By addressing both the economic needs of refugee families and the childcare crisis for working families, the program drives transformative change. Refugees gain paths to self-sufficiency, and parents benefit from safe, nurturing environments for their children.
This funding supports the program’s first phase, with potential for future expansion. Together with partners, United Way is building resilience and uplifting communities across Washington County.
"By empowering refugees to develop childcare skills and start their own businesses, we’re not only addressing a critical need for childcare providers, but we are also fostering community resilience," said Begoña Rodriguez Liern, Early Learning Washington County Director. "This program can significantly improve the lives of refugees and working families alike, creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Offering comfort and a sense of belonging to newcomers is so important, and this program is a meaningful step in that direction."
COMMUNITY IMPACT WEEK 2024
Another year of impact is in the books. This year's Community Impact Week has wrapped and we have so much to share about the many nonprofit partners we were able to assist, the myriad of volunteers with fascinating stories and causes, and the innumerable hours of work we were able to give back to our community. This amazing week of volunteerism is a highlight for many at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, allowing us to further engage with and build community across Clark, Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties. Check out some of the project highlights below and the many pictures of do-gooders doing good!
This year we had a new partner in Friends of Tryon Creek. We mobilized a large group of volunteers to go out to this urban forest haven and pull down some not-so-friendly ivy! This was dirty work, but oh so rewarding to see the forest transform and know that we all had a part in helping this beautiful place thrive. A special thanks to Columbia Distributing for sponsoring Community Impact Week and bringing a big group of volunteers from across the state of Oregon!
The New Beginnings Market is IRCO's no-cost, one-stop-shop for refugee families who have recently been placed in our community. The Market offers a wide variety of clothing items, furniture, kitchenware, personal care supplies, and much more, free of charge to families. But with all that on offer, a lot of organizing and inventory is needed. We brought a huge group of volunteers to the Market to help with just that. Over the course of a few hours we were able to transform the space and get accurate counts of what IRCO had to offer.
UNITED WAY AWARDS INAUGURAL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY GRANTS
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund grants. A total of 32 grants, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000, have been awarded to local organizations committed to advancing racial equity and deepening civic engagement across Clark, Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. This competitive process saw over 77 inspiring applications, highlighting the strength and dedication of our region’s nonprofit sector.
The Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund represents a key step in United Way’s mission to advance racial equity and create conditions for children, youth, and families to thrive. These grants, funded for one or two years, empower organizations to address systemic inequities through leadership development, grassroots advocacy, coalition building, and capacity-building efforts. Recipients were selected with input from a Community Review Committee composed of representatives from community-based organizations across the region, ensuring decisions were grounded in the wisdom of those closest to the challenges we seek to address.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible work these organizations do to uplift and empower their communities. Their innovative projects and dedication to creating solutions will drive meaningful change, ensuring voices from historically underrepresented groups are heard and included in decision-making processes. United Way is honored to be a partner in these efforts and looks forward to the impact this work will have on our shared vision of equity and justice.
To all grant recipients, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Your commitment inspires us, and we are excited to collaborate in building a brighter, more equitable future for all.
EMPOWERING EDUCATORS THROUGH CODING & ROBOTICS TRAINING
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is proud to celebrate the success of the first-ever Coding & Robotics Training hosted by our Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) HUB. This groundbreaking workshop was designed specifically for Spanish-speaking preschool educators, underscoring our commitment to inclusivity and addressing the unique needs of our diverse communities. By equipping bilingual educators with tools to introduce STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) concepts to young learners, we’re opening new doors of opportunity for children as young as three
The training was more than just an introduction to coding and robotics; it was an invitation for educators to reimagine early learning. Through hands-on activities, educators learned how to make technology approachable and engaging for preschoolers, using tools like the Bee Bot and Indy Car robots. These tools help young children explore patterns, problem-solving, and critical thinking in a playful, interactive way. As one participant, Aras Dezay, shared, "Everything around us is a form of programming — It’s all technology."
To ensure sustainability, each educator received a STEM Curiosity Kit: My First Robots, enabling them to bring coding and robotics into their classrooms without the financial burden of expensive technology. These kits not only teach technical skills but also foster teamwork and perseverance, creating a strong foundation for future learning. Trainers at the event highlighted the versatility of these tools, showing how they can be used to teach subjects like math, science, and even language, inspiring educators to integrate coding across disciplines.
This training is just the beginning of a broader vision to expand STEAM education and reduce gaps in access for
TO OUR DONORS FOR SUPPORTING OUR WORK! YOU ARE MAKING AN IMPACT!