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Your United Way in Action!
Free Community Tax ServiceFree Community Tax Service Sites Open!
 
United Way of Monroe County, the Financial Stability Alliance for South Central Indiana, and our partners invite community members in Monroe and Owen counties who earn $53,000 or less to have their taxes prepared for free and receive 100% of their refund quickly -- usually in 10 days or less.

The Free Community Tax Service is offering eight full-service sites, a self-service site, mobile sites, and online filing. Locations, dates, and times of these sites can be found at www.monroeunitedway.org/freetaxes.  


IRS-certified volunteer preparers can also help residents claim valuable tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can result in a significant income boost - up to $6,143 for those who qualify! The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families. Unfortunately, 1 out of 5 people who are eligible don't claim their credit.  

  

This year, the Free Community Tax Service, in partnership with the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources, is expanding services available to Spanish speakers.  Visit www.monroeunitedway.org/impuestos for more information. Online filers will find that MyFreeTaxes.com offers tax preparation in English and Spanish.  Read More >>
Heather & Corey
 
Your Donation in Action:
Heather & Corey 
  
A shy 9-year-old uncertain about her future. For Heather, school was sometimes a struggle and life in Crestmont with her mom and two brothers had its ups and downs. Heather's mom was always there for her, but financial troubles often got in the way. But then on September 4, 1994, Heather's life was about to change when she was matched with Corey through Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, a United Way member agency.

"Even though I was so outwardly shy when I met her I was completely excited on the inside. Not only did I have a new friend but a new sister as well. I had always wanted a sister who I could be close with." After meeting Heather's family, Corey, then a sophomore at IU, and Heather visited a nearby playground for the first of many special times together.

The two quickly became close during their weekly get-togethers and their bond is still strong 10 years later.


For Corey, spending time with Heather was a welcome break from the rigors of college. Incorporating teachable moments into their shared activities, Corey  wanted to open Heather's eyes to what the world can hold for a young woman committed to success. And for Heather, "When I needed help with schoolwork, someone to talk to, or just a girls day, Corey was always there for me, no matter the situation..."
Read More >>
Countdown to Open Enrollment

ACA Open Enrollment Deadline Approaching
 

Open enrollment for 2015 health coverage ends February 15th. There's still time to enroll in a plan for 2015 that meets your needs and budget.   

 

Cover Monroe is holding free sign-up events through February 15th at the Monroe County Public Library. During the sign-up events you can meet with a licensed Navigator who will provide unbiased help at no charge to help you enroll in the healthcare plan that is right for you and your family. 

 

To get enrolled, you can also contact IU Health Individual Solutions. They operate regular daily hours Monday-Friday to meet one-on-one with residents. Call 1-800-313-1328 to make an appointment to see a certified Navigator. The City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department also has certified Navigators to assist you. Call 812-349-3851 for enrollment assistance. Para Espa�ol (812) 349-3860 o [email protected]. There is no charge for Navigator services provided through the IUH, Cover Monroe, and the City of Bloomington.

 

To be sure people have a chance to visit a Navigator, especially during the busiest enrollment times, United Way was proud to fund the training and certification for four new volunteer Navigators through Cover Monroe (an ACA Volunteers of Monroe County project).  Read More >>

2-1-1 Needs Your Support!
 
2-1-1 is now celebrating its 8th year of service in Monroe and Owen counties, and has clearly proven it is a valuable tool for our community. It saves time for residents and provides the best information for their particular needs.

Individuals who need help with food, housing, employment, child care, health care, counseling, or senior services can call 2-1-1 for immediate assistance. Certified call specialists are available 24/7 to connect callers with the help they seek.

To continue this free,
confidential, 24/7 service, 2-1-1 needs support beyond grants from local organizations like United Way and Area 10 Agency on Aging. Fortunately, the Indiana legislature is considering ways to help.

Supporting House Bill 1010 will ensure that 2-1-1 has the funding it
needs so current information and trained specialists are available to help your family and friends when they need it most.

For more
information, visit the Indiana 2-1-1 Facebook page.

Campaign Highlights

Campaign Highlights 
Thanks to our generous donors we currently are at 80% of our fundraising goal with $1,128,000 in donations so far! There's still time for you to join your neighbors in helping to create a better tomorrow for our community. Can you help us meet our community goal?
Match for a Better TomorrowUnited Way has a matching donation opportunity right now that could double your contribution to our community! New and increased gifts that qualify will be fully matched thanks to a grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways.

You can hel
p us do more by making a Match for a Better Tomorrow qualifying gift! 

Workplace Campaigns
United Way of Monroe County partners with local businesses and organizations to raise funds that support United Way and our 25 member agencies. Individual gifts and campaigns at community-minded workplaces like these are helping us achieve specific goals in the areas of Education, Earnings, and Essentials. 

If you've not yet donated, please consider making a gift today.

 

 

The IU Credit Union is creating a better community with generous employee contributions of $19,445 and a corporate gift of $20,000.  
 
 
IU Health Bloomington raised an impressive $25,255 to improve the lives of people in our community. 

 
Employees at the City of Bloomington made a strong commitment to our community by giving over $9,000 to support the work of United Way and its member agencies.   

 
With a $7,500 corporate gift and $5,935 in employee contributions,  German American is leading the way to creating a better tomorrow. 
 
Ivy Tech Community College faculty and staff are enhancing the economic development of our community through giving $2,994. 
 
The Herald-Times has given $3,455 through employee contributions to strengthen the vitality of our community. 
 
Want to learn more about how your donation can make create a better tomorrow in our community? Contact Resource Development Director Sarah Hayes by email or call her at (812) 334-8370.

Be More Awards
Upcoming Events  
  
Nominations Due: Friday, Feb. 13
Awards Presentation, April 28

Now thru Feb. 15

Free Community Tax Service
Now thru April 15
Locations throughout Monroe & Owen counties

Baby Fair
March 8

Children's Expo
April 12

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United WayUnited Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves people's lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through our Community Action Fund, Priority Funds, and grant initiatives, we work with 25 member agencies and other community partners to focus resources on the building blocks for a better life: education, earnings, and the essentials.
 
441 S. College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403 | (812) 334-8370