Greetings! 

Our Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today breakfast was attended by 128 people at Kirkwood Community College on Oct. 31.

 

We learned how IBM brought 1,300 jobs to Dubuque and that a single mom with one child has to earn at least $18.08 an hour to make it. Finally, we learned what's already being done to help families become financially stable.

  

Click here to view the videos, slides and read other reflections from the event. We also posted ways to get involved.

  

Participants engaged in discussions at their tables. One question asked: What is needed to turn the curve and meet local skill demands?


Some answers that we heard:

  • Develop a portal for employers to communicate their projected and real-time skill needs.
  • Equip individuals with both technical and soft skills training.
  • Engage and mentor youth early to explore careers in demand in the region.

Together, we can get there!

 

Until next month,

 

Your United Way Team

 

 

 

Thanks to our event sponsors:

 

 

  

United Way Partner Companies Recognized for Community Involvement

 

Two companies that invest in United Way were recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals on National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 14, 2012.

Cargill was recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in the Large Business category.


Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust was recognized as the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization in the Small Business category.

Companies like Cargill and CRBT help United Way improve the community and work toward the common good.

 

Thanks, Cargill, CRBT and staff for your support of the community and congratulations on the recognition.

 

Read more here.

 


12 Days of Giving
We are highlighting the 12 Days of Giving here at United Way through a daily video. You can view the videos here.

12 Days of Giving ends with Giving Tuesday, a national initiative of nonprofits, on November 27, 2012.

Thank you for your support!
Longtime United Way Donor Wins October Prize

Thanks to donated prizes we are once again awarding prizes this year to United Way donors.

 

 

Marci Wooff, who works at CRST and has given to United Way for 27 years, won the October prize - a refrigerator donated by Whirlpool. Check out how we surprised her with the news in this video.
RED Ahead Program featured at November 23 Barnes and Noble Book Fair

 

On Friday, November 23, 2012, Barnes and Noble, 333 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, is hosting a book fair to help support the RED Ahead Program. 

 

RED Ahead is a program for parents to help their young children develop the language skills they need to be ready for kindergarten.  

 

Before checking out that day, make sure to mention RED Ahead and a part of the purchase amount will go to the program.

 

Come out and support this great cause and purchase some new books or an item from the cafe.

 

Not able to make it to the store that day?  You can still shop online until 11/28/2012 and enter in the book code ID number: 10894574.  Click here to shop online.

 

 

  

United Way of East Central Iowa

317 7th Avenue SE, Suite 401

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

800-332-8182 

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