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Strategic Thinking and Action
Brian Gallagher, President of United Way of America, states: "More than fundraisers, United Ways are partners in change, working with a broad range of people and organizations to identify and resolve pressing community issues." In 2007, UWAC completed the first year of a five-year strategic plan designed to build on our history and to help shape our community's future. UWAC continues our historic commitment to addressing basic needs and supporting youth programs. We further commit to examining and improving systems which enable our senior population to age with honor. We do so in the most efficient, cost-effective manner possible. In this month's newsletter, we begin to provide a comprehensive look at our strategic approach to community impact. |
| UWAC Campaign Enters
Final Stage |
As we enter the home stretch of the United Way Campaign, we have a great appreciation for the giving, caring heart and soul of this Anderson County community. From the volunteers who have put so many hours into this campaign to the thousand of donors who are giving to improve the lives of our neighbors in need, the care and support you've given to this United Way Campaign have made a difference.
All across the county, companies and organizations have taken time from the workday to hear the stories of hope that United Way member agencies offer those they serve - how the attention of a Big Brother changed a life, how a CASA advocate worked for a safe, permanent home for a foster child, how home health and other senior services helped the aging stay in their homes a little longer. With help from our Loaned Executives, volunteer Campaign Chairs within each business devoted time to help the community through United Way.
The campaign is very close to reaching its goal of $1.4 million. Thanks to all the efforts of volunteers, the community and the United Way staff, we have reached 94% of the goal. We will reach for 100% this month, and, with your help, we will celebrate that achievement soon. The UWAC campaign runs through the end of January. For more information, go to: www.unitedwayandersoncounty.org
Tom Beehan and Kay Brookshire
2007 Campaign Co-Chairs |
| UWAC...meeting basic needs, creating lasting change |
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"A hand up, not a hand out" is a strategy designed to support people during their time of crisis, with the anticipation they will soon return to normalcy. The underlying assumption is: Anyone of us can experience unexpected crisis at anytime, and we may all need a hand up at some point.
"Creating last change" is a strategy based on the belief that certain circumstances place some people in more vulnerable positions to experience crisis. After a year of examination and research, the UWAC Board of Directors concluded UWAC can successfully achieve both strategies: Support our community's ability to meet basic needs and to address the underlying mechanics that place certain populations' at greater risk of a life crisis.
UWAC Strategic Planning Committee and Fund Distribution Committee formulated a refined approach to investing your donations in areas of critical needs. Your financial and volunteer resources are directed into the following areas:
Basic Needs Youth Services
Food and Shelter Youth Development Programs
Health and Safety Youth at Risk Programs
Mental Health
Crisis Services
Senior Services
Health and Safety
Quality of Life
As we have done throughout our 50 year history, we rely on our community partners to accomplish both strategies. To help you, the donor, recognize how your contributions are strategically invested for our common good, agencies and services highlighted in this newsletter will identify the strategic service provided. |
| United Way-Funded Education-Legal Partnership Offers New Benefits to Oak Ridge Families and Teachers
(Basic Needs - Crisis Services) |
A partnership between schools and lawyers is offering important benefits to Oak Ridge students and teachers. Under an innovative United Way-funded project, Legal Aid Society lawyers help Family Resource Center families solve legal problems that interfere with their children's education.
Family Resource Center Director Jo Bruce explained, "Problems at home make it hard for children to learn at school. If a family is about to be evicted or lose a car, then the child cannot focus on school. Legal Aid can solve some of these problems."
Recently the Family Resource Center referred Gloria Marlow (not her real name) to Legal Aid. She was being beaten and isolated by her husband. The children were traumatized by witnessing the abuse. The attorneys got her an Order of Protection and then a divorce. They helped the children get medical insurance and advised Mrs. Marlow on how to establish her own household. "Until the family got into a safe home, the kids could not pay attention to school," attorney Theresa-Vay Smith explained. "It's nice to know that we did not just get a divorce for the mother, but helped the children get an education for the future."
The Legal Aid Society gives free legal aid to people who have nowhere else to turn. The Family Resource Center serves families with students who face a risk of not succeeding in school. For more information visit legal aid's web site at www.las.org. |
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Please share this newsletter with friends interested in improving our community. Encourage them to subscribe to this new monthly newsletter to hear more about how our agencies and out volunteers are helping our community.
Sincerely,
United Way of Anderson County |
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Ecumenical Storehouse dedicates their new facility at 134 East Division Road, Oak Ridge! On Sunday, January 6th, 10 churches and more than 75 volunteers, and community members celebrated the opening of the Ecumenical Storehouse's new location. Congratulations to Board President Brenda Brewer and all involved with this important step. The Ecumenical Storehouse has served the needs of families in Anderson and surrounding communities for 24 years. Please consider donating your unwanted household items by calling 481-0274. (Basic Needs - Food and Shelter)
Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc. celebrated its Grand Opening of its newest location in Clinton on Monday, November 5th at 9:00 AM. With over 11,400 sq. ft. of shopping space, the new store (located at 1115 Charles G. Seviers Blvd. Clinton, TN) is sure to be a success.
Proceeds from Goodwill stores enable Goodwill Industries to fulfill its mission of providing vocational services and employment opportunities to people with barriers to employment. In 2006, Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc. served over 2,026 individuals, experienced over 420 positive program closures and placed 45 individuals into competitive employment. For more information, please visit: www.gwiktn.org.
(Basic Needs - Crisis Services) | |
| Services Grow When the Community Cares! |
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Following is a sampling of the people and companies that make a difference to their neighbors.
B & W Clinch River makes immediate impact. The company has opened offices in Oak Ridge this fall and ran the largest first time company campaign in UWAC history! Picture are, left to right UWAC 2007 campaign Co-Chairs Tom Beehan and Kay Brookshire receiving corporate contribution from B & W Clinch River CEO Carl Durham and Business Management Manager Mike Vermeulen
Pro2Serve continues its long standing commitment to community by providing UWAC's largest corporate contribution, this year over $38,000. Pictured include Pro2Serve President Barry Goss presenting a check to Tom Beehan and Kay Brookshire. Pro2Serve staff (pictured) also contributed over $38,000 to UWAC.
Sitel, had the largest percent increase in a campaign, with a 10X increase in employee giving! Sitel, a Call Center Outsourcing firm raised $13,800 in support of United Way, making them one of the largest Sitel campaigns in the USA. Picture from left to right: Jim Campbell, UWAC Board President, Tom Beehan and Kay Brookshire, 2007 UWAC Campaign Co-Chairs, Sitel Site Director Richard Winters, and Sitel Campaign Staff John Gabriel, Candace Baird, Crystal Davis, Regina Fox, and Jill Chitwood.
Omega Cabinetry runs the largest company campaign in the Clinton area, raising nearly $29,000. Pictured, Omega Cabinetry GM Buzz Patrick with a staff member shows the fun that is in fund-raising! |
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