International Institute & United Way 

  

The United Way of Greater St. Louis has kicked off its 2013 annual campaign. The goal is to raise $72 million to benefit more than 200 health and social service organizations in our metro community. Along with hundreds of thousands of other St. Louisans, we serve as volunteers and donors to the United Way campaign.

 

Frequently, St. Louisans are struggling to pay for food, clothing, housing and other basic essentials. Others need job skills and training to increase their job competitiveness. And many St. Louisans are facing a terrible emotional and physical toll from suffering, so they benefit from counseling and therapy services. United Way member agencies are there to help because of the generosity of our community.

 

Our readers may not know that the Institute became a member of the United Way - then known as the Community Chest Council of St. Louis - in 1923. Since then, we have served as United Way's portal to a wide variety of adjustment services for our community's immigrants and refugees.

 

A substantial portion of the Institute's unrestricted funding comes from the United Way campaign. In 2012 our campaign allocation is $245,365, approximately 30% of our charitable contributions. As a result, refugees who are no longer eligible for federally funded adjustment services can still receive counseling, medical supportive services, and more.

 

Reaching the United Way campaign goal is crucial in these tough economic times. International Institute staff is doing their share to help meet the annual 2012 goal. We contribute during the annual campaign just like hundreds of thousands of other St. Louisans. We also want to help others who can't help themselves - and we know that a well-run network of social services is essential for our community.

 

We invite all of you to join us in helping St. Louisans who are presently unable to help themselves. Make your donation to the 2013 United Way Campaign at https://www.stl.unitedway.org/give.aspx.

 

Thanks!