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MEASURING OUTCOMES
For a United Way agency, it's the busiest and most important time of the year. The talk of the United Way Campaign goal and the events leading up to the "victory" celebration are all constant reminders of the critical business component of our work. You see, as an Aiken County United Way agency executive director, it's more than "helping others", making a difference", or "giving back". Each year, we tabulate the number of people served, how they were served, how our services impacted their lives and most important the outcomes achieved through provision of those services. Each agency is required by the United Way of Aiken County to demonstrate responsible and effective use of donor funds. For those of you who consistently give to the United Way, this should make you feel a stronger sense of confidence in giving. For those of you considering giving to the United Way this year, this should assure you that your giving is appreciated and monitored closely.
While it is certainly an accomplishment to achieve and document successful outcomes, the most personally gratifying aspect of this work is the chance to see someone achieve that positive outcome. To see a new parent, unsure of what to expect, feel more confident after a Welcome Baby visit; to see a room filled to capacity with smiling faces attending our annual event, Operation Santa; to see a single mom, battered and homeless, find a place to settle and hear her children call Nurture Home "our house." Finally, and most timely as September is National Suicide Prevention Month, to hear a teenage student say "Thanks for talking with us about suicide, I'll talk to my friend." Just as I'm summing up this column, my phone rings. A parent shares with me that she lost her son to suicide last month. I listen as she tells me she's not sure what to do, but heard about our Suicide Loss Support Group's monthly meeting. I invite her to attend and then follow up with an email with additional resources and to express my sympathy. Please support the United Way of Aiken County 2012 campaign. This year, it's more important than ever. |
