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Report from the Campaign Trail |
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2008 Campaign Underway
One of the most critical fundraising campaigns in the history of the United Way of the Inland Valleys is in progress with a goal of $4,310,000 to be raised. It is especially important for us to meet this year's goal because of the unusually large number of people that have been seeking the services of our member agencies over the last couple of years. Last year alone 287,056 people were assisted through our member agencies. This urgency has been due to the economic climate and the number of people projected to move into the Inland Valleys' service area. Over the next seven years, the Inland Valleys region is expected to grow by one million people. With more people utilizing the services provided by our hard working agencies success in our fundraising efforts becomes imperative. Currently there are 38 member agencies that provide services through over 113 programs funded by the United Way of the Inland Valleys. These services are funded by your generosity in giving, your efforts in advocating and hard work of volunteering for our local United Way of the Inland Valleys. Visit uwiv.org and click on What We Do for a listing of all our Member Agencies.
I am sure you or someone you know has been or could be a fortunate recipient of the services and programs provided by our member agencies. Please encourage everyone to participate in building our communities. This campaign will provide an opportunity for everyone to be involved in helping fund their local member agency programs through payroll participation and sponsorships to their local United Way "Community Care Fund". 90% of donations to the Community Care Fund remain local.
 "This is our community and our actions will determine what kind of a community it will be now and well into the future." -Kevin J. McCarthy, CEO, United Way of the Inland Valleys.
LIVE UNITED!!! |
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Agency Spotlight:
Jefferson Transitional Programs (JTP) |
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 There once was a little girl named "Jacqueline," who would pray to God and ask Him to help her. Jacqueline's mother was "sick." Once her mother told her to eat her dinner of raw chicken and salty potatoes. When Jacqueline refused, she was physically and verbally punished. One day Jacqueline came home from school and found the house in shambles with all the windows broken, blood on the curtains and the refrigerator turned upside down. "Mommy's sick again," she thought to herself.
After staying home alone with her sister for a week, Child Protective Services finally intervened and placed the girls in foster care. At 13, Jacqueline started smoking pot and became a teen mom while in high school. However, Jacqueline did go to nursing school and became a licensed vocational nurse, then continued her education and earned a bachelors degree in psychology.
However, Jacqueline had her mom's sickness, even though she went through life refusing to believe it. One night Jacqueline drove to the mountains with her 2-year old daughter. When she stopped, they got out of the car in the dark, and Jacqueline told her daughter to keep up with her as she walked up the side of a mountain. The police found Jacqueline alone and asleep in a ranger's station cabin. A man found Jacqueline's daughter on the side of the road and brought her to the police. Much time would pass before she got custody of her daughter again.
This is just one of the many stories about Jacqueline's battle with mental illness. She suffered from bipolar disorder but refused to accept it. Through Jefferson Transitional Programs' help, Jacqueline has learned how to cope with her illness and believe in herself again. She now has a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and has been living a lifestyle of recovery for over 2 years.
"I'd like to thank everyone at Jefferson Transitional Programs for having faith in me when I didn't have faith in myself," said Jacqueline. Her children are adjusting and doing well in school. Most importantly, they no longer have to worry because their mommy is not sick anymore! |
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| Different people share with us the way they LIVE UNITED. |
| A Message from our Board Chair
 The United Way of the Inland Valleys is an organization that passionately cares about the needs of our local community.
Our community is growing. By 2050, our population is expected to double. Unfortunately, our local health and human services have not kept pace. The United Way of the Inland Valleys is taking the lead in meeting the needs brought on by this growth.
Your contributions make a real difference in our community in ways that are too numerous to count. From sheltering abused children and spouses to helping feed those that are in need, your support of the United Way touches thousands of lives in a very meaningful way. We cannot accomplish our mission without you. By joining us as a donor or volunteer (or both!), untold lives will be renewed and transformed.
Thank you from all of us at the
United Way of the Inland Valleys!
- John H. LapkeDivisional Vice President, Legal
Abbott Vascular |
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United Way...
Helping each one of us Make a Difference
The responsibility to give back to the community where we have been given the opportunity to work and raise our family was instilled in me many years ago. As a businessman, I am always looking for the most efficient way of getting things done. As a banker, accountability and integrity are critical components of everything I do.
The United Way of the Inland Valleys provides me with that - an efficient and accountable way of insuring that the contribution I make is directed to where it can make a difference. United Way also helps my team and I practice community stewardship, the giving of our time, treasure and talent.
There are many ways that each one of us can make a difference and United Way helps us find the way
that fits us best. Just give them that opportunity!
- Mike Vanderpool United Way of the Inland Valleys
2007 Volunteer of the Year | |
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GIVE |
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Invest in your community through the "Community Care Fund". United Way of the Inland Valleys is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income, health, and disaster assistance/preparedness. These are the building blocks for a good life.
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ADVOCATE
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Anyone can champion the cause. Whether you're speaking out to improve education, income and health, reaching out to members of Congress, or wearing the LIVE UNITED shirt to show your support, you can help inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. So go ahead and advocate in a LIVE UNITED world. Do it in public. Be visible. Be loud.
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VOLUNTEER |
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Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your best. We all have special talents. Things we can do to help. We influence the condition of all. Whether it's serving on an Agency Review Team, or coaching a team with the YMCA, or participating in the annual Day of Caring, there are hundreds of volunteer options available everyday.
Give the GIFT of YOU.
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YOU CAN ADVOCATE
by Forwarding this eNewsletter.
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LIVE UNITED by helping us spread the word. Imagine how many people we could reach if everyone forwards this to five people.
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| Employee Campaign Managers' (ECM) Corner |
For all your tools & resources, please visit our Campaign Tools and Resources page in the Campaign section of our website: uwiv.org.
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| What is the Community Care Fund? |
The Community Care Fund is the general account of the United Way of the Inland Valleys. Monies from our donors, unless designated, go to the Community Care Fund for distribution throughout our community. We encourage our donors to give to this fund instead of making a designation for several reasons.
Read More... | |
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