United Way Of Greater St Joseph Inc

TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY.

ALLOCATED SERVICESTRADITIONALLY, UNITED WAY HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR HARNESSING THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY THROUGH GIVING, ADVOCATING AND VOLUNTEERING AND IS MOST WELL-KNOWN FOR THE ANNUAL UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN THAT TAKES PLACE EACH FALL. THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN, HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES AND THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS MAKE PLEDGES TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY. THE MAJORITY OF DOLLARS RAISED THROUGH THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN ARE ALLOCATED TO THE NETWORK OF UNITED WAY PARTNER AGENCIES TO HELP SUSTAIN THEIR CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. MORE THAN 100 VOLUNTEERS ARE INVOLVED IN DECIDING HOW THOSE DONOR DOLLARS ARE ALLOCATED. IN 2021 THE NETWORK OF UNITED WAY PARTNER AGENCIES AND INITIATIVES IMPROVED LIVES THROUGH THE CARING POWER OF COMMUNITY IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS, PLUS MANY MORE: EDUCATION: UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST. JOSEPH WORKS TO HELP PEOPLE OF ALL AGES REACH THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS THAT WILL, IN TURN, STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. QUALITY EARLY LEARNING, YOUTH EDUCATION IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, AND OTHER INSTRUCTION FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING ARE JUST A FEW WAYS UNITED WAY SUPPORTS EDUCATION. MORE THAN 330 CHILDREN RECEIVED EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION TO HELP THEM BEGIN THEIR SCHOOL YEARS READY TO LEARN. 571 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN AFTER-SCHOOL YOUTH ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS. AREA BUSINESSES PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS TO HELP THEM LEARN ABOUT LOCAL EMPLOYERS AND EDUCATION REQUIRED TO WORK IN PARTICULAR JOBS. 156 TEENS FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO HANG OUT, WORK ON HOMEWORK & LIFE SKILLS, AND CONNECT WITH PEERS AND MENTORS AT A TEEN DROP-IN CENTER. THOUSANDS OF NEW AND GENTLY LOVED BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL CHILDREN TO ENCOURAGE THEIR LOVE OF READING AND BUILD THEIR HOME LIBRARIES.HEALTH: IN THE GREATER ST. JOSEPH AREA, YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS HELP PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING. HEALTH IS PROMOTED THROUGH FITNESS AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, NUTRITION AND IN-HOME SERVICES, COUNSELING, AND OTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAMS. GOOD HEALTH IS CRUCIAL FOR EVERYONE. MORE THAN 4,000 ADULTS AND CHILDREN RECEIVED NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 494 SENIOR ADULTS RECEIVED 83,185 NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO HELP MAINTAIN HEALTH. MORE THAN 1,100 PEOPLE WORKED THROUGH ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY. 217 PEOPLE RECEIVED COUNSELING RELATED TO DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE. 113 CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY OR SPECIAL NEED AND THEIR FAMILIES RECEIVED SERVICES THAT HELPED THE CHILDREN WORK TOWARD IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.FINANCIAL STABILITY: STABLE HOUSEHOLD FINANCES ARE IMPORTANT FOR DAILY LIVING, WHICH IS WHY UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST. JOSEPH ALSO FOCUSES ON FINANCIAL STABILITY. UNITED WAY SUPPORTS EFFORTS FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS. SUCH EFFORTS INCLUDE FOOD, DISASTER RELIEF, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND SHELTER SERVICES RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. UNITED WAY IS ALSO WORKING TO PREVENT FINANCIAL SITUATIONS FOR BECOMING PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE. 381 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN RECEIVED 17,305 NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER. 153 LOW-INCOME OR ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE REPRESENTED AT NO COST FOR NON-CRIMINAL COURT CASES. 112 PREVIOUSLY HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS (176 PEOPLE) LIVED IN TRANSITIONAL, PERMANENT, OR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. 1,374 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED MORE THAN $1,000,000 IN TAX REFUNDS THROUGH FREE TAX PREPARATION. 153 ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES HELD JOBS THROUGH SHELTERED AND SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT. AREA RESIDENTS SAVED $257,985 ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS WITH A PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD. A PORTION OF EACH YEAR'S CAMPAIGN IS HELD IN A GRANT MAKING FUND CALLED THE UNITED WAY COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND. THROUGH THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY, AREA NON-PROFITS THAT MEET UNITED WAY'S CRITERIA IN FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY, PROGRAM DELIVERY AND OUTCOMES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS TO FURTHER MEET COMMUNITY OR AGENCY NEEDS. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND GRANTS CAN HELP INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS BEGIN, BUILD CAPACITY, MEET ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS WITHIN AGENCIES SO THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR MISSION TO THE FULLEST OR MINIMIZE THE IMPACT TO CLIENTS WHEN SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM CHANGES OCCUR.

UNITED WAY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMSSINGLECARE PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE SAVING RESIDENTS MONEY ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION WITH A FREE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD SINCE 2007. THE UNITED WAY SINGLECARE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD CAN BE USED AS OFTEN AS NEEDED BY ANYONE FOR ANY QUALIFYING PRESCRIPTION; IT IS LIKE A REUSABLE COUPON FOR MANY DIFFERENT PRESCRIPTIONS. DURING 2021, PEOPLE IN THE AREA SAVED MORE THAN $250,000. THE GREATER ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY HAS EXCEEDED $2.6 MILLION IN SAVINGS ON PRESCRIPTIONS SINCE THE PROGRAM'S BEGINNING. TO OBTAIN A CARD, PLEASE CALL THE UNITED WAY OFFICE OR VISIT THE UNITED WAY WEBSITE.FINANCIAL STABILITY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO BECOME FINANCIALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT SINCE 2009.IN 2021, UNITED WAY PROMOTED FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH PARTNER AGENCY INTERSERV. INTERSERV HELPED 1,354 COMMUNITY MEMBERS FILE TAX RETURNS AND RECEIVE REFUNDS TOTALING NEARLY $1,000,000. TWENTY HOUSEHOLDS USED MYFREETAXES.COM, AN ONLINE SERVICE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH UNITED WAY, TO FILE THEIR RETURNS.LEADERSHIP ST. JOSEPH BUILDING THE SKILLS OF INDIVIDUALS TO BE EFFECTIVE LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1982.UNITED WAY LEADERSHIP ST. JOSEPH IS AN ANNUAL, YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS LIVING OR WORKING IN THE ST. JOSEPH AREA. THE PROGRAM HELPS CREATE A NETWORK OF TRAINED INDIVIDUALS WILLING TO ENGAGE IN LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH ENHANCED KNOWLEDGE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S OPPORTUNITIES, REALITIES AND CHALLENGES. IN 2021, THE PROGRAM WAS CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY, AND THIRTEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. SINCE 1982, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROGRAM GRADUATES IS 948. DURING THE YEAR, PARTICIPANTS LEARNED AND PRACTICED PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THE CLASS WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS AND WAS CHALLENGED TO LEARN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A PROJECT THAT WOULD MEET A COMMUNITY NEED. ONE GROUP CREATED THE OUTLINE FOR A FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM WHILE THE OTHER CREATED A GUIDE FOR HOSTING A COMMUNITY SOCK DRIVE. THE 2021 DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO MARY BETH REVELS, 2005 UNITED WAY LEADERSHIP ST. JOSEPH GRADUATE. THE DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARD IS PRESENTED EVERY YEAR TO AN INDIVIDUAL WHO EXEMPLIFIES LEADERSHIP WHILE SERVING THE GREATER ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY. IN 2022, UNITED WAY LEADERSHIP ST. JOSEPH LOOKS FORWARD TO CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE PROGRAM. PROFIT IN EDUCATION IMPROVING THE EDUCATION LEVEL OF THE POTENTIAL AND CURRENT WORKFORCE SINCE 1989.UNITED WAY PROFIT IN EDUCATION WORKS TO INCREASE THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE AND COLLABORATE WITH AND SUPPORT EDUCATION EFFORTS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. THOUSANDS OF BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE SUMMER THROUGH A PROGRAM CALLED UNITED WAY TAKE A BOOK TUESDAY. BOOKS WERE GIVEN TO AREA CHILDREN ON TUESDAYS IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST THROUGH SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND SECOND HARVEST'S NO HUNGER SUMMER. MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS DONATED THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, BOOKMARKS AND ENCOURAGING NOTES. TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS WERE ALSO ABLE TO PICK UP BOOKS FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR CLASSROOM LIBRARIES. UNITED WAY SPEAKERS' BUREAU LINKED VOLUNTEERS FROM DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES WITH CLASSROOMS, CAREER DAYS AND EVENTS TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT VARIOUS CAREERS AND EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT CAREERS FROM PEOPLE IN A SPECIFIC FIELD, INCLUDING BUSINESS, SKILLED TRADES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTHCARE. MORE THAN 35 LOCAL PROFESSIONALS VOLUNTEERED AND SHARED ABOUT THEIR CAREERS IN 2021. UNITED WAY ALSO ASSISTED WITH VIRTUAL CAREER DAYS AND FIELD TRIPS. SUCCESS BY 6 PREPARING CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS WHEN THEY BEGIN KINDERGARTEN SINCE 1999. UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 WORKS TO PREPARE ALL CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS WHEN THEY BEGIN KINDERGARTEN. THE INITIATIVE WORKS THROUGH COMMUNITY-WIDE COLLABORATIONS TO SUPPORT PARENTS, CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND OTHERS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AGED BIRTH TO SIX. AS THE PANDEMIC CONTINUED, ACTIVITIES WERE ADAPTED AND FOCUS WAS DIRECTED TO THE AREAS THAT NEEDED THE MOST SUPPORT. UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 CONNECTED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WITH RESOURCES AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS. ADDITIONALLY, UNITED WAY PARTICIPATED IN STATEWIDE DISCUSSIONS, PROVIDING A VOICE FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND FAMILIES IN OUR REGION. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS AND PRIMARY CAREGIVERS WERE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. UNITED WAY KINDERCLUB AT HOME, A RESOURCE THAT EMPOWERS PARENTS TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN TO BE SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS, WAS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH STJOSEPHUNITEDWAY.ORG. THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP HEAD START, CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE CLASSES FOR PARENTS AND PRIMARY CAREGIVERS WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN AN ONLINE ENVIRONMENT. UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 SUPPORTED EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS WITH VIRTUAL TRAININGS, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2021. EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS TOOK PART IN 14 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ON VARIOUS TOPICS AND SEVEN FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO EARLY EDUCATORS TO PURSUE ASSOCIATE'S AND BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN EARLY EDUCATION. UNITED WAY ALSO HOSTED NETWORKING GROUPS FOR PARENT EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS IN THE REGION AND CHILD CARE DIRECTORS. UNITED WAY CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A CAPACITY BUILDING PARTNER FOR CHILD CARE AWARE OF MISSOURI IN THE NORTHWEST REGION OF THE STATE. THIS ROLE HAS ALLOWED UNITED WAY TO EXPAND ITS IMPACT AND SUPPORT OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION IN THE REGION. IN 2021, UNITED WAY AND CAMERON SCHOOL DISTRICT WERE NAMED CO-LEADERS OF THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION REGIONAL HUB READINESS PROJECT FOR A MULTI-COUNTY REGION. ALONG WITH CAMERON SCHOOL DISTRICT, UNITED WAY CONVENED REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN.UNMET NEEDS COMMITTEE COLLABORATING TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO RESOURCES TO SOLVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS WITH LASTING IMPACT SINCE 1993. UNITED WAY UNMET NEEDS COMMITTEE IS A GROUP COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM NON-PROFITS, CHURCHES, UTILITY COMPANIES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO MEET REGULARLY TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES AND SOLUTIONS FOR CASES BROUGHT BEFORE THEM BY AGENCIES. IN 2021, POTENTIAL CASES WERE ABLE TO BE HANDLED THROUGH OTHER RESOURCES OR CONNECTIONS TO OTHER AGENCIES. VOLUNTEER CENTER CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM SINCE 2009. UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER CENTER IS A CENTRAL RESOURCE FOR VOLUNTEER NEEDS ACROSS THE GREATER ST. JOSEPH AREA. INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND CORPORATIONS SEEKING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CAN FIND A VARIETY OF OPTIONS CALLING FOR VARYING LEVELS OF COMMITMENT AVAILABLE AT MANY DIFFERENT NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2021, VIRTUAL UNITED WAY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER RESOURCE NETWORK (CVRN) MEETINGS WERE ATTENDED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO MANAGE VOLUNTEERS FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. CVRN PROMOTES AND DEVELOPS EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY AND ENHANCES THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CONNECTIONS AMONG MEMBERS. UNITED WAY IS BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS THROUGH THE NETWORK. THE TRADITIONAL UNITED WAY STUFF THE BUS! SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE RETURNED. MORE THAN 100 VOLUNTEERS HELPED COLLECT SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT SOUTH BELT WALMART. SUPPLIES COLLECTED WERE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE SALVATION ARMY BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAIR AND TO AREA SCHOOLS. NEARLY 100 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FROM MORE THAN 27 LOCAL AGENCIES WERE SHARED THROUGH UNITED WAY VOLUNTEER CENTER.

COMMUNICATIONSIT TAKES STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO PRODUCE THE LEVEL OF PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUSTAINING THAT SUPPORT REQUIRES AN ACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS EFFORT. UNITED WAY LETS DONORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH PRINTED MATERIALS INCLUDING; AN ANNUAL REPORT, E-NEWSLETTERS, WEB SITE, VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, MEDIA OUTREACH, AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

OTHER PROGRAMSGENERAL ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED WAY, WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING COMMUNITY COALITIONS, PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PLANNING, ARE ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAM. UNITED WAY'S ROLE GOES FAR BEYOND THE RAISING AND ALLOCATING OF DOLLARS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMMING. UNITED WAY PARTICIPATES IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY COALITIONS, COMMITTEES, TASK FORCES AND EFFORTS THAT IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY. IN MANY CASES UNITED WAY IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT, PROVIDING STAFF RESOURCES, LEADERSHIP, FACILITATION, ADVOCACY AND ACTION. CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR HOMELESS SERVICES - MERIL NETWORKING LUNCHES - COAD (COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER) - LEPC (LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE) - EARLY CHILDHOOD COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS STATE STEERING COMMITTEE - MOSAIC LIFE CARE FOUNDATION PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY COMMITTEE - MOSAIC LIFE CARE FOUNDATION EARLY LEARNING PATHWAYS COMMITTEE - MOSAIC LIFE CARE FOUNDATION CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER COMMITTEE - COMMERCE BANK CRA BOARD (COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT) - ST. JOSEPH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - ST. JOSEPH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIPLOMATS - ST. JOSEPH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER COUNCIL - ST. JOSEPH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE - ST. JOSEPH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FINANCE COMMITTEE - ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE - IMAGINE ST. JOSEPH 2040 IMPLEMENTATION TEAM - DOWNTOWN ROTARY CLUB #32 - DOWNTOWN ROTARY CLUB #32 BOARD OF DIRECTORS - KIWANIS CLUB OF ST. JOSEPH - KIWANIS CLUB OF ST. JOSEPH BOARD OF DIRECTORS - ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENTS AS TEACHERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE - ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL COUNSELING ADVISORY COUNCIL - MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY CRAIG SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MISSOURI CHILD CARE ADVISORY GROUP - KIDS WIN MISSOURI EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKGROUP - MAXIMIZE NORTHWEST MISSOURI COMMUNICATIONS TEAM - MISSOURI EARLY CONNECTIONS REGIONAL HUB COLLABORATIVE NETWORK - CHILD CARE AWARE OF MISSOURI CAPACITY BUILDING PARTNER GROUP - OPIOID TASK FORCE - COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ALLIANCE - PREGNANT WOMEN AND SUBSTANCE USE WORKGROUP - MISSOURI PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANT STAKEHOLDER GROUP