The MCUW Board and the Creating Independence Impact Council are excited to announce they are awarding a two year grant to The Mission Northeast for a continuance of "Project Independence".  The goal of ths program is to help families with children become self sustaining to break the cycle of poverty.  This vita program combines education and job training, assists applicants secure jobs with sustainable wages in their chosen field then teaches families how to build and manage their assets.

Once again Mission N.E. is joining forces with Lone Star College Kingwood to provide classes in Welding, Certified Nurses Aid, Phlebotomy, Accounting and other course work.  The Community Chamber of East Montgomery County is the new partner for the asset management component.

The previously funded program which began in 2006 improved the lives of over 68 households.  Statistics only tell part of the story.  According to Mission N.E. Executive Director Pam Dickson, "When you see the face of an individual who speaks of past poverty, abuse, hopelessness and failures who then becomes a new person through receiving the amazing opportunities afforded through Project Independence, that's when you know the program is changing lives."

Mission NE was chosen among several local organizations who created collaborations and applied for funding through the "Moving People Out of Poverty" Request for Proposals.

Community Well Being Impact Council is spearheading  a health care study to examine patient data made available by area health partners.  Opinions about how best to faciliate access to health care vary widely between local institutions.  In partnership with these institutions, MCUW has hired Texas Health Institute to integrate and analyze this patient data as well as other local demographic data and health care indicators.

After months of analysis, the results of the study will be presented to the council members in January, 2011. The Texas Health Institute will lead discussions to identify potential strategic target issues as well as recommendations with the newly formed Advisory Committee and existing Health Care Steering Committee.

For more information, click on Impact Councils

The goal of the Responding to Crisis Impact Council is to build collaborative efforts and incorporate action strategies to address gaps in service.

Impact Council members have had a forum in 2010 to voice concerns about potential gaps in services, and hear about what other service providers offer in serving our community.  They have been able to build support and trust. 

One of the goals of Montgomery County United Way is that people will remain in their home and on the job when something unforeseen adversely impacts them; people will not become homeless or transient because of an unforseen personal event. 

To become more involved as a volunteer or as an area non-profit partner, contact Vicky Shelledy at 936-760-4179, ext. 265

The City of Conroe Employees have raised over $14,000 for their annual Montgomery County United Way campaign.  The amount raised was through employee contributions by payroll deduction and through special events like the infamous Chair Races at the top of Conroe Tower (pictured above), and a  contest between the Fire and Police Departments.  Thanks to Sgt. Joe Smart, this year's Employee Campaign Coordinator and all of the employees of the City of Conroe.

AND...

Thanks to the Employees of Montgomery County who raised over $67,000 this year, which was 12.12% over last year's amount.  38% of employees from all of the county districts participated in giving and were eligible to vote for their favorite county representative to "Kiss the Donkey".  Thanks to Commissioner Ed Rinehart for chairing this year's county employee campaign and to his great committee as well.

Pictured: Winning Donkey Kissers -

Ann Carr, Chief of Staff for County Judge Alan B Sadler

Commissioner Ed Rinehart, Precinct 4

Commissioner Ed Chance, Precinct 3

Thanks to the Blair family for donating cash prizes to employees to encourage giving.

2011 is shaping up to be a very difficult legislative session in Austin.  Join MCUW as we attend Montgomery County Day at the Capital on March 30, 2011.

For MCUW, zero-cost pre-k legislation and support of our independent school districts for funding are our top issues.  To find out more, call Rachel Harris, MCUW's Director of Initiatives at 936-760-4179, ext. 267 or email:  rachel@mcuw.org.

MCUW's Days of Caring program attracts volunteers from corporations, churches, and neighborhoods. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints started off the holidays  by having one of the youth group's participate in a Day of Caring.  The group purchased and fully decorated a  6 foot  Christmas tree to donate to a needy family.  In addition to  purchasing the tree, tree skirt  and ornaments, the girls took time to make several homemade ornaments to add a more personal touch.