 You Make An Impact: Literacy Parties! 
This fall, children and families throughout our local area are enjoying Literacy Parties hosted by United Way and Monroe Smart Start. Fostering a love of reading at a young age is beneficial in so many ways.
Currently only 1 in 3 local children enter kindergarten with the early literacy skills that can help them be successful. When children start school without these skills, they face a more challenging road ahead.
This is why we focus on strengthening education -- starting with our youngest citizens. Literacy Parties create an upbeat, casual learning atmosphere where we engage children in fun alphabet games, distribute free books, and encourage parents in their role as their child's first teacher.
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Join us at these upcoming Literacy Parties:
Nov. 14, Banneker Community Center, at 10:00 am
Nov. 19, Owen County Public Library, at 6:00 pm
Read more about a recent Literacy Party in the IDS, click here!
To see more photos, visit out Facebook Page!
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Happenings on the Campaign Trail
Workplaces throughout Monroe County are helping to make an impact by hosting their own United Way fundraising campaigns. Thanks to the workplaces below for hosting fun activities to help raise awareness about United Way.
Want to see your workplace here? Just give us a call at (812) 334-8370 to share your events or find out how to start a workplace campaign. GE  Local GE employees just finished their energetic United Way campaign. Employees created these fun gift baskets as part of their fundraising efforts! Thanks from your community for all your hard work! Imagination at work, indeed!
IU Health Bloomington Hospital
 The hospital held its second annual Pet Contest for its employees November 8-14. Employees submitted photos of their pets, and "voted" for their favorite with their donations. All money raised goes towards the hospital's United Way workplace campaign.
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC)
IIDC is encouraging employees to contribute to their United Way campaign without regard to the size of the gift. IIDC employees recently gathered together for their annual Chili Cook-Off fundraising luncheon. The Chili Cook-Off had three categories: Hottest, Most Bizarre, and Best Tasting. The winning recipe for the Best Tasting category was made from a secret recipe that came from a former White House Chef! What a delicious way to raise money to help strengthen our community.
Great West
We are grateful to Great West, which specializes in truck insurance products and services, for their continued commitment. This year, employees at Great West increased their participation by 9% in the United Way campaign!
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| How Do I Donate? |
 It's easy! You can make a contribution with cash, check, credit card, automatic bank withdrawal, stocks and securities, or can choose to be billed. Just visit monroeunitedway.org and donate securely via credit card or download a pledge card and return it to our office.
If your workplace holds a United Way campaign, be on the lookout for your pledge card -- you can also donate through payroll deduction!
And, if you'd like for your workplace to hold a campaign, contact Resource Development Director Lori Garraghty by e-mail or call her at (812) 334-8370.
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3, 2, 1...Kindergarten Countdown!
Thirty two excited youngsters were better prepared to start school ready to succeed thanks to the local Kindergarten Countdown program.
Developed to give youngsters the best start in school and help families navigate the kindergarten registration process, Kindergarten Countdown offered at-risk children the chance to connect with their peers while they learn valuable skills. Participating students showed a 7% increase in kindergarten readiness skills.
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You help ensure our neighbors have access to food 
As Chef Bob Adkins and DJ Mackie chop tomatoes in the Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) kitchen, they excitedly talk about their love of healthy food. This is just one of many reasons that Adkins adores cooking for the children at MCUM. More than simply a nutritious meal for the day, he is expanding palates, growing bodies and brains, and setting children on the path for a lifetime of healthy eating.
With one out of five children in Monroe County experiencing hunger, providing balanced and nutritious meals for our youth is a main focus of local food pantries and kitchens. As Vicki Pierce of the Community Kitchen explains, "We strive to focus much of our attention on childhood nutrition with the philosophy that healthy, nourished children grow, develop, learn, and succeed."
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Bank on Bloomington
Did you know that having a bank account is a key step to financial independence? And did you know that nearly 41% of people in our community either don't have a bank account or use alternative high-interest nonbank resources?
Instead, individuals rely on products like pay day loans, check cashing, and pawn shops. On average, these individuals spend $1000/year on fees. Bank On Bloomington is a community collaboration to help residents access mainstream financial services and education at six participating institutions-Chase, Fifth Third, IU Credit Union, KeyBank, Old National Bank, and Regions.
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Did you know?
Working to improve the lives of community members tomorrow begins with action today. Your donations make an impact. Every day.
Education... Of children enrolled in the preschool program at Monroe County United Ministries, 91% developed the basic math skills and 70% developed the basic literacy skills to start kindergarten successfully.
$2/wk can provide educational games so RSVP America Reads volunteer tutors can help 100 children learn to read.
Earnings... 97% of clients involved with the Stone Belt and LifeDesigns supported employment programs gained new job skills.
$10/wk can provide 3 community education events to protect homeowners from predatory lending.
Essentials... 3,157 uninsured, low-income adult clients were provided 10,864 primary and preventive care medical visits free of charge at Volunteers in Medicine.
$15/wk can prevent homelessness for 3 families while they regain self-sufficiency.
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Calendar of Upcoming Events:
November 14
Literacy Party at Banneker
Community Center930 W. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
10:00 am
November 17
Financial Education Workshop
Monroe County Public Library, Room 1A
10:00 am - 11:30 am
November 19
Literacy Party at Owen County Public Library10 South Montgomery Street, Spencer, IN 474606:00 pmNovember 28
Dine & Donate at Panda Express
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
A percentage of your bill will be donated to programs that help stregthen our community. Simply mention United Way of Monroe County!December 4
Financial Education Workshop
Monroe County Public Library, Room 1A
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
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