AFA Kids Start out Summer with New Bikes from CNH  

AFA children pose with their new bikes recently assembled by CNH staff.

On June 8, 2011, CNH staff members from around the country touched the lives of families participating in Advancing Family Assets (AFA), a community initiative of United Way of Racine County. As part of their staff retreat in Lake Geneva, teams of CNH staff assembled 14 bikes to present to AFA children. The AFA families arrived in Lake Geneva just as the bike assembly was being completed to cheer on the CNH staff members who were racing the bikes. After the race, the AFA children were called up one by one, and to their surprise, received new bikes. The presentation of the bikes was met with smiles, cheers and uncontrollable excitement from all the AFA families, as well as the CNH and United Way staff. At the close of the event, Scott Harris, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for CNH Parts and Service, thanked the employees and families for their participation and described the bike give-a-way as the best part of the retreat.

Advancing Family Assets is an exciting model making strides in the financial stability and success of many low-wage working families to ensure a quality workforce throughout Racine County. AFA supports families through an intensive coaching approach that works to alleviate challenges in the areas of income, education and health while helping all family members set and reach goals that will lead to long-term stability. Since its inception in 2009, AFA has served over 60 families. Currently, there are 32 active families who are making

December 7, 2011

Campaign Victory Celebration

Congratulations to Jim Corman, Employee Campaign Coordinator at Dremel Rotary and Benchtop Power Tools, for completing our ECC survey and winning a $50 Visa gift card.   

"AFA called unexpectedly and told me of the CNH bike give-a-way. It was a subtle answer to a prayer since my son had grown out of his old bike."

- Sheena Hall

Youth As Resources Celebrates 15 Years in Racine County

YAR Coordinator Jessica Safransky and Ruth Bradford-Johnson present award to Shan Sivanushanthan for his outstanding leadership in volunteering for YAR.

Youth As Resources (YAR) has been empowering young people in Racine County to make a positive difference through grantmaking and community service since the program began in 1996.

On June 13, 2011, committee members, special guests and staff celebrated the end of the
program year and their 15 years in our community. The event was, of course, '90s themed and featured Beanie Babies, '90s music and a slideshow of YAR events from the past 15 years.

Students from Burlington's PAC House received the "Great Grant" award in recogntion of their project entitled Storybook Friends. They were selected by the committeee out of eight wonderful projects funded during the 2010-2011 year. YAR board chair Shan Sivanushanthan was recognized with the "Ruth Bradford-Johnson Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to Youth As Resources" and JI Case High School Counselor Craig Lepisto received the "Gabriella Klein Award for Outstanding Youth Advocate in Racine County."

Over the past 15 years, YAR has awarded nearly $250,000 for 376 youth-led community service projects. We wish them another 15 years as successful as the last.

See images from the event on the YAR Facebook   

United Way Awards Funding to 48 Local Programs 

Every year in Racine County something remarkable happens - thousands of individuals and companies donate millions of dollars to help our community through United Way. These dollars make a real impact in the lives of one in three local people through programs and services administered by United Way. For the 2011-2012 funding cycle, 48 programs were awarded a total of $2,944,039 to advance the common good in the areas of education, income and health.

United Way works to ensure that these generous donations are carefully and thoughtfully put to good use to help the most people. This hard work is done by nearly 100 individuals who live and work in Racine County; these volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of more than 10,000 donors.

Programs request funding based on their particular needs that relate directly to positive outcomes for the specific population of clients to be served. Based on the knowledge gained through the allocations process and the dollars available through United Way campaign efforts, volunteers recommend how much money each program will receive in the coming year.

In addition to the annual investment process, United Way of Racine County provides funding for other programs, special projects or events such as Advancing Family Assets, Leadership Racine, the University of Wisconsin - Parkside's Nonprofit Development Center, Youth As Resources, and Volunteer Solutions.  

"We would like to thank our community investment chair, Paul Rohling, as well as all the committee members who volunteered to help us go through this very intensive process," said Dave Maurer, United Way President. "None of the decisions were made lightly, but truly reflect the voices of the community. We appreciate the outstanding work of our Partner Provider agencies, as well the collaboration we have with other funding organizations and institutions."  

Click here for more information on United Way funding.