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Welcome to United Way's First
E-newsletter of 2012!
United Way of Allen County is pleased to welcome you to the first newsletter of 2012 -- the first of four e-newsletters sent throughout the year.
If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the "unsubscribe" link at either the top or bottom of this email. If you're looking forward to learning more about how United Way is working to make our community a better place for everyone, do nothing and you'll remain on our e-newsletter list.
Thank you for your commitment to United Way and the Allen County community. | |
 2-1-1 Grows 118%
The number of calls to Northeast Indiana's 2-1-1 Call Center continue to grow; since 2-1-1's first full year of service in 2004, call volume is up 118 percent, from more than 20,000 to more than 44,000 calls.
United Way's 2-1-1 Center released its annual report recently, and it also shows that call volume grew two percent from 2010 to 2011 to a total of 44,271 calls for service.
"In 2011, 2-1-1 put more priority on Housing and Homelessness support," said Tiffany Bailey, director of the 2-1-1 Center. "Our Call Specialists do thousands of assessments for local residents in need of housing support, and they follow up to help ensure residents can find long-term shelter."
Download the 2-1-1 Annual Report. | |
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Free Tax Prep Program
United Way of Allen County and the Volunteer Center @ RSVP are in the middle of the 2012 Free Tax Prep program and the success of the program could have a big impact on our community!
Low- and middle-income residents making less than $50,000 a year can have their taxes done for free by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers. Acco
rding to the US Conference of Mayors, every dollar brought back in refunds to these residents multiplies by 1.5 to 2 times in terms of the impact on the local economy and how the money is spent around the communities where these families live.
Last year, more than 1500 people were helped with their tax returns, resulting in $2.5 million in refunds coming back to the community. The program runs through April 14. For more information, download the flyer here.
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Matching Dollars May Double Your Gift! | |
United Way of Allen County has received a grant that provides matching dollars for new or increased donations. The grant comes from the Indiana Association of United Ways and is designed to encourage donors to increase their commitment to United Way.
In some cases, the match is dollar-for-dollar, essentially doubling the donor's gift and dramatically increasing support for United Way's education initiative, which includes programs like Real Men Read and School Buddies.
To take advantage of the matching dollars, call Chris Rouse, resource development director, at 260-469-4001 or email him at chrisr@uwacin.org.
New and increased gifts can help United Way meet the fundraising goal of $5.3 million. The final amount will be announced, along with campaign awards, at a breakfast in late April -- look for an invitation soon! |
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Real Men Read Going Strong; More School Buddies Needed | |
245 Real Men Read volunteers (like Mayor Henry above) are busy reading to thousands of second and third grade students in 38 local elementary schools. The men instill a love of literacy in the students and demonstrate the fun of reading!
While Real Men Read has all the volunteers it needs, the School Buddy program is still looking for people to make a difference in the life of a child. 222 School Buddies are working with local elementary students during the lunch period -- and you can help too. Call Big Brothers Big Sisters at 260-456-1600 to find out more about the chance to help a child succeed in school and life! |
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Agency Partner The Rescue Mission is collecting new twin-size blankets and standard-size pillows for the homeless in our community. Donations can be dropped off at the Rescue Mission, 301 W. Superior Street or Peerless Cleaners, 515 W. Main Steet. Click 
