 Area United Ways Agree on Realignment
|
It is no
secret that the St. Croix Valley has changed in recent years. The valley is
growing, and changing, and nonprofit agencies are being asked to do more each
year. As leaders in the nonprofit
community, the three local United Ways serving the St. Croix Valley are
committed to facing the challenges that lie ahead and continually ask, "How can
we best benefit the communities that we serve?" The three United Ways serving
the St. Croix River Valley examined that question and recently passed
resolutions supporting the transfer of zip codes in Polk County, Wisconsin from
the United Way of Washington County-East to United Way St. Croix Valley.As of July 1, 2010, communities in
Polk County, Wisconsin will be served by United Way St. Croix Valley.
Each
United
Way organization is an independent nonprofit organization governed by local
volunteers and charged with raising funds for programs that serve a specific
set of communities. United Way of Washington County - East (UWWCE) based in
Stillwater, Minnesota has had a long term and positive regional partnership
with the United Way of Polk County (UWPC), serving Polk County Wisconsin. United
Way St. Croix Valley (UWSCV) based in Hudson, Wisconsin serves an area in
Western Wisconsin that overlaps Polk County. Meetings between the three local United Ways began over a year ago and the leadership of the organizations came to
the conclusion that a realignment of service areas was the best way to meet the
needs of Minnesota and Wisconsin communities.
"Our partnership with the United Way of
Washington County-East has resulted in great progress in uniting the communities
in Polk County and increasing the services available to those who need them
most. Realigning with UWSCV is a good next step to be even more effective in delivering
services," said UWPC President Steve Snell. "The administrative support
provided by UWWCE through the years has really helped us increase our impact,"
he continued. Mel Sullivan, Board
President of the United Way of Washington County - East affirmed that " our United
Way continues to highly value the partnership with our United Way colleagues in
Wisconsin, as we work collaboratively to strengthen communities throughout the
St. Croix River Valley. "The vision of the
community leaders who formed these United Ways will continue to guide us as we
focus on building stronger communities in Washington County and Western
Wisconsin," added Marna Canterbury, UWWCE Executive Director.
A key goal of this realignment is
to increase community support for the programs and services in Polk County and
create new efficiencies in delivering these services. "We are very committed to
continuing our policy of making grants to agencies that help specific local communities;
to the larger groups that serve the entire region; and for United Way
initiatives such as Success By 6TM," said United Way St. Croix
Valley Board President Pat Powers.
UWSCV
Executive Director John Coughlin said, "Letters were recently sent to the nonprofit
agencies funded through the United Way campaign in Polk County to let them know
that we believe this realignment will lead to broader support for the important
work they do throughout the county."
New Board Members representing Polk County are Dan Draxler, Michael Hedges and Steven Snell.
Businesses
and individuals who support United Way are encouraged to offer their guidance and
support during the transition so United Way can continue to meet basic needs,
strengthen children and families, improve health and independent living and
help connect people with services. Call your local United Way or visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org for further
information.
|
