Sioux Empire United Way Inc

TO LEAD, SUSTAIN AND NURTURE A UNIFIED, EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS.

MARKETING OVERVIEW 4 VOLUNTEERS SERVED ON THE MARKETING DIVISION. COMMUNICATIONS BUILT ON TWO MAIN MESSAGES. WE HELP CHILDREN, VULNERABLE ADULTS, AND PEOPLE IN CRISIS. SHARE THE GOOD. RETURN TO IN-PERSON EVENTS. "WOMENUNITE: 430 IN ATTENDANCE. PLEDGES AT 6,000. "KICKOFF: EVENING OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD TRUCKS, SHORT PROGRAM. 200 IN ATTENDANCE. "THANK YOU EVENT: 250 IN ATTENDANCE. ANNOUNCED TOTAL AND RECOGNIZED OUTSTANDING NOMINEES AND AWARD RECIPIENTS. 100 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS WERE SCHEDULED THROUGH SPEAKER'S BUREAU. 26 AGENCY TOURS HELD, WITH 380 ATTENDEES. EMERGING LEADERS HAS 60 MEMBERS. MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN 16 DIFFERENT EVENTS IN-PERSON, WITH OUTDOORS AND INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS, DONATING 280 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERISM. CAMPAIGN E-UPDATES WERE EMAILED WEEKLY DURING THE FALL TO 650+ VOLUNTEERS WITH AN AVERAGE OPEN RATE OF 35%. INFORMATIONAL E-UPDATES WERE DISTRIBUTED MONTHLY TO 9,000+ SUPPORTERS WITH AN AVERAGE OPEN RATE OF 15%. WITHIN SOCIAL MEDIA: "INCREASED FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS 13%. "INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS INCREASED 7%. "CONTINUED TO BUILD LINKEDIN PRESENCE. "FOCUSED FEATURING VOLUNTEERS AND OTHER PEOPLE, CREATING ENGAGEMENT ON POSTS FOR FURTHER REACH. STARTED USING INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK STORIES TO SHARE HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN. DISTRIBUTED MARKETING SURVEY AND ECM SURVEY TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR COMMUNICATION NEEDS AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROVIDE TO OUR CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS.

COMMUNITY IMPACT DIVISION STRATEGIES DIVISION HAD APPROXIMATELY 60 VOLUNTEERS SERVING WITHIN 6 DIFFERENT COMMITTEES. ONGOING FUNDING PROCESS: "HELD ALL AGENCY FUNDING REVIEW MEETINGS VIRTUALLY. VOLUNTEERS REVIEWED THE APPLICATION, MET VIRTUALLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PROGRAM, SOUGHT ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION (AS NEEDED), AND MADE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS. "AFTER REVIEWING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE VOLUNTEERS RECOMMENDED FUNDING OF APPROXIMATELY 8 MILLION TO 85 PROGRAM AND 40 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: TASKED WITH DETERMINING THE BEST USE OF FUNDS FOR THREE OTHER FUNDS. "BOARD EARMARKED MONIES: FUNDS NOT PAID OUT AS A RESULT OF THE 2020 COVID IMPACT SURVEYS ORECOMMENDED FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: AVERA FAMILY WELLNESS PROGRAM, YMCA/MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, AED PLACEMENTS, AND UNITED WAY'S DEI EFFORTS "COVID FUNDS: FUNDS BUILT INTO THE 2020 CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS RESULTING FROM THE PANDEMIC. ORECOMMENDED FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF SD/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, DAKOTAS/COUNSELING SERVICES, SOUTH DAKOTA DENTAL FOUNDATION/ONE SMILE PROGRAM, THE COMPASS CENTER/COUNSELING, SIOUX FALLS FIRE RESCUE/YOUTH RISK REDUCTION PROGRAMMING, AND GROCERIES FOR FAMILIES IN NEED "2022 OPPORTUNITIES FUNDING: FUNDS BUILT INTO THE 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. ORECOMMENDED FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: PRIORITIES FUND (INCLUDING USE FOR UNITED WAY'S DEI EFFORTS), FAMILY CONNECTION, SOUTH DAKOTA DENTAL FOUNDATION/ONE SMILE PROGRAM, DELTA DENTAL MOBILE DENTAL PROGRAM, AND AVERA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NAVIGATION PROGRAM DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) EFFORTS "HELD A HALF-DAY RETREAT WITH OUR DEI COMMITTEE. FOLLOWING THE RETREAT, CONTINUED TO MEET EVERY TWO-WEEKS. "KEY ITEMS INCLUDED: OCOMPLETION OF AN EQUITY STATEMENT OCOMPLETION OF AN UPDATED NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY OAPPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING FUNDING PROCESS OACCEPTANCE INTO THE BEACOM FELLOWS PROGRAM OTRAINING FOR STAFF AND BOARD AROUND DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OCREATION OF A DEMOGRAPHICS SURVEY TO ASSESS THE CURRENT MAKE-UP OF STAFF, BOARD, AND KEY VOLUNTEERS OTRAINING FOR FUNDED AGENCIES TO INTRODUCE THEM TO OUR FUTURE PLANS/GOALS AROUND DEI OCREATION OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO FURTHER EXPLAIN OUR DEI GOALS TO OUR FUNDED AGENCIES OTRACKING OF PROGRESS TOWARD UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE DEI GOALS

CHILDREN: AVERA MCKENNAN'S SUCCESS BY 6 PARENTING WITH SUCCESS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES RESOURCE BOOKLETS AND TEMPERAMENT PROGRAMMING. THE RESOURCE BOOKLETS ARE PROVIDED TO ALL MOTHERS AFTER BIRTH AND INCLUDE PARENTING INFORMATION AND LOCAL RESOURCES. LAST YEAR, 2,262 BOOKLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED. TEMPERAMENT PROGRAMMING UTILIZES A THOROUGH QUESTIONNAIRE PROVIDED TO PARENTS WHEN THEIR CHILD IS 15 MONTHS OF AGE. THE RESULTS HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE TEMPERAMENT OF THEIR CHILD AND HOW TO PARENT BASED ON THAT. LAST YEAR, 135 FAMILIES COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SIOUX EMPIRE'S CHILDCARE PROGRAM PROVIDES QUALITY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. LAST YEAR, 520 CHILDREN RECEIVED QUALITY CHILD CARE THAT INCLUDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CURRICULUM. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SIOUX EMPIRE'S EASTSIDE CLUB SUPPORTS YOUTH AND FAMILIES BY GIVING STUDENTS A SAFE, SUPERVISED, ENGAGING PLACE TO SPEND TIME. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON FIVE CORE AREAS: THE ARTS, EDUCATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND LIFE SKILLS, CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND SPORTS AND RECREATION. LAST YEAR, 207 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAMMING. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A HIGH-QUALITY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM WENT TO SCHOOL MORE OFTEN, BEHAVED BETTER, RECEIVED BETTER GRADES, AND DID BETTER ON TESTS COMPARED TO NON-PARTICIPATING STUDENTS. BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE SIOUX EMPIRE'S THE CLUB PROVIDES A SAFE, ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT THAT HELPS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH TO BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND PROMOTES ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP, CAREER READINESS, AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF 25 YOUTH ATTENDED THE PROGRAM EACH DAY. CHALLENGE DAY PROVIDES AREA MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A ONE-DAY PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON EMPATHY SKILL BUILDING. LAST YEAR, CHALLENGE DAY HAPPENED IN THE BRANDON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, WITH 100 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. CHARACTER ON TRACK PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING, AND CITIZENSHIP. LAST YEAR, ASSEMBLIES WERE HELD IN 22 AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. CONNECTING KIDS CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES K-8 TO TAKE PART IN AN ACTIVITY FOR A FREE OR REDUCED RATE. LAST YEAR, 600 YOUTH USED THE CONNECTING KIDS CERTIFICATE. CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS, CAMPS, CLASSES, AND FINE ART ACTIVITIES THROUGH 25 DIFFERENT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. A SURVEY OF PARENTS FOUND THAT 89% OF RESPONDENTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITHOUT CONNECTING KIDS. DELTA DENTAL OF SD'S MOBILE DENTAL PROGRAM PROVIDES ORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE. LAST YEAR, 205 LOCAL YOUTH WERE SCREENED, WITH 28% HAVING THEIR FIRST DENTAL VISIT. THE ORAL HEALTH IN AMERICA REPORT ESTABLISHED THE LINK BETWEEN DENTAL DISEASE AND ABSENTEEISM AND REDUCED LEARNING IN CHILDREN AS WELL AS THE LINK BETWEEN DENTAL DISEASE AND OVERALL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN IN THE MAIL UNTIL AGE 5. 10,612 CHILDREN RECEIVE BOOKS EACH MONTH. ONE STUDY REPORTS CHILDREN READ TO ONE HOUR PER DAY ENTER SCHOOL WITH A VOCABULARY 3 TIMES LARGER THAN STUDENTS ONLY READ TO 30 HOURS DURING THEIR FIRST 5 YEARS. EMBE'S AQUATICS PROGRAM OFFERS SWIMMING LESSONS, SPECIALTY CLASSES, AND OPEN SWIM OPPORTUNITIES. LAST YEAR, 1,710 INDIVIDUALS TOOK PART IN SWIMMING LESSONS, WITH 86% MOVING ONTO THE NEXT LEVEL. EMBE'S CHILDCARE PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN AGES 4 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS. LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF 253 CHILDREN ATTENDED THE CENTERS DAILY. EMBE'S GIRLS ON THE RUN/HEART & SOLE IS A CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM FOR GIRLS IN GRADES 3RD - 5TH AND 6TH - 8TH THAT USES NON-COMPETITIVE RUNNING AND TRAINING TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF PARTICIPATION IN A 5K RUN/WALK. LAST YEAR, 408 GIRLS PARTICIPATED IN GIRLS ON THE RUN OR HEART & SOLE AT 46 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN THE SIOUX EMPIRE. EMBE'S YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMMING PROVIDES A VARIETY OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: VOLLEYBALL, BABYSITTING CAMP, CAMP CHANGEMAKER, YOUTH TAEKWONDO, AND FIRST LEGO LEAGUE. LAST YEAR, 889 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS. FAMILY CONNECTION'S CHILDREN'S CONNECTION PROVIDES WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS, FAMILY EVENTS, AND MORE TO CHILDREN WHOSE PARENT OR CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER HAS BEEN INCARCERATED. LAST YEAR, 321 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE WEEKLY GROUPS AT 10 LOCAL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS. 86% OF PARTICIPANTS INCREASED THEIR SELF-ESTEEM. HARMONY SOUTH DAKOTA IS A FREE AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 7 AND UP TO PARTICIPATE IN STRING ORCHESTRA, PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES, MUSICIANSHIP CLASSES, AND PRIVATE INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS. LAST YEAR, 80 PARTICIPANTS SPENT 360 HOURS IN INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE PROGRAM. 100% OF PARTICIPANTS INCREASED THEIR SELF0-CONFIDENCE AND PERSEVERANCE. INTER-LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP'S SIOUX FALLS CENTER PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. LAST YEAR, 102 CHILDREN WERE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM WHILE THEIR PARENTS EITHER WORKED OR ATTENDED SCHOOL. KIDSTOP PROVIDES A FREE AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8. LAST YEAR AN AVERAGE OF 54 CHILDREN ATTENDED DAILY. 89% OF PARTICIPANTS REPORTED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCHOOL. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS EMPHASIZE HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO KEEP CHILDREN ENGAGED IN LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURS. LAST YEAR, 87 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' ARISE YOUTH CENTER/EAST'S EVENING REPORT CENTER IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO JUVENILE DETENTION FOR YOUTH AGES 10 TO 17. IT PROVIDES SUPERVISION AND LEARNING SUPPORT DURING HOURS WHEN YOUTH MAY BE MORE LIKELY TO BE UNSUPERVISED AT HOME AND HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INTO FURTHER TROUBLE. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON LIFE SKILLS, HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, JOB READINESS, AND GROUP COMMUNITY SERVICE. LAST YEAR, 71 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, WITH 70% DECREASING THEIR NUMBER OF MISSING SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' COMMUNITY MENTORING PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUTH WHO ARE AT-RISK FOR LOW ACHIEVEMENT SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY WITH A MENTOR WHO IS ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND FRIENDSHIP. MENTOR RELATIONSHIPS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES. LAST YEAR, 206 MENTOR MATCHES WERE MADE OR MAINTAINED THROUGH THE PROGRAMS. RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS SUPPORT A YOUTH'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN MULTIPLE AREAS SIMULTANEOUSLY. THIS INCLUDES BETTER DEVELOPMENT OF MORALS AND VALUES, IMPROVED DECISION MAKING, FEELING EMPOWERED TO SUCCEED, AND RECEIVING ENCOURAGEMENT TO ENTER OR FINISH COLLEGE. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' HERE4YOUTH PROVIDES OUT OF SCHOOL TIME CARE FOR YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR SIBLINGS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH WHO NEED MORE ATTENTION AND SPECIALIZED HELP. LAST YEAR, THEY SERVED 36 YOUTH DURING OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES AT-RISK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH A LONG-TERM VOLUNTEER MENTOR TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. LAST YEAR, 141 STUDENTS WERE MATCHED WITH A MENTOR. OF THOSE, 97% OF THE STUDENTS PROGRESSED TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL. ONE STUDY FOUND THAT AT-RISK YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAD MENTORS WERE MORE LIKELY TO SET GOALS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND WERE MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND COLLEGE THAN NON-MENTORED PEERS. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES' IN SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM PROVIDES ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH POSITIVE ADULT ROLE MODELS AT THEIR SCHOOLS. LAST YEAR, 1,104 VOLUNTEER MENTORS SERVED WITHIN 11 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MINNEHAHA AND LINCOLN COUNTIES. NATIONAL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MENTORS AND STUDENTS PROMOTE LONG-TERM POSITIVE OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE ACHIEVEMENT, A STRONGER SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS, AND DECREASED DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. ONE SMILE PROGRAM PROVIDES EXTENSIVE DENTAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT FROM UNDERSERVED AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. OFTEN TIMES THE CARE NEEDED REQUIRES A HOSPITAL OR SURGICAL CENTER UNDER ANESTHESIA. 17 CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED CARE LAST YEAR. READY TO START PROVIDES A FIVE-WEEK PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN SERVICES, OR WHO MAY HAVE DEMONSTRATED A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM SERVES 225 CHILDREN IN BRANDON, CANTON, HARRISBURG, LENNOX, MCCOOK CENTRAL, SIOUX FALLS, AND TEA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. PARTICIPANTS HAVE AN AVERAGE GAIN OF 35% IN MATH SKILLS, 25% IN READING SKILLS, AND 22% IN SUPPORTIVE SKILLS. SANFORD CHILDREN'S CHILD SERVICES' SUCCESS BY 6 WATCH ME GROW HELP ME GROW PROGRAMMING INCLUDES PARENT RESOURCE MATERIAL AT BIRTH, CHILD AND PARENT RESOURCES ONLINE, HOME VISITS,