By creating a venue that both allows individuals to see the many ways they can make a difference and agencies to promote their needs, United Way of Southwest Minnesota has increased the potential for volunteerism and involvement in the community. Nonprofits in the area began posting their volunteer and other needs online in hopes of increasing the opportunities for community members to get involved. The online system, which is administered and sponsored by United Way of Southwest Minnesota, is called Get Connected.

The online platform launches to the public this week to coincide with National Volunteer Week, April 12th-18th, 2015. This easy to use system will create a  venue that both allows individuals & groups across SW MN to see the many ways they can make a difference through volunteerism and help programs and agencies promote their volunteer needs/opportunities to a larger audience.

Get Connected is an easy-to-use web-based platform that matches the right advocates and volunteers with the right opportunities in our neighborhoods. Users can search for needs based on their own interests, they can reach out to the agencies that care about the same things they care about, and they can find meaningful ways to give back. United Way of Southwest Minnesota is pleased to launch Get Connected as the latest way to give our neighbors the opportunity to care for one another.

Get Connected will do more than just create matches among the service community and private citizens; it will also help to build lasting relationships. Current United Way partner organizations were the first to gain access to the system, but the platform will be available to other qualifying organizations throughout the United Way of SW MN service area. For details contact the United Way at unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org. 

Opportunities currently listed online include both ongoing and one time opportunities. Users can go to www.UnitedWaySWMN.org and click on the Volunteer Tab to register, review and respond to needs and volunteer opportunities.

United Way of Southwest Minnesota is an autonomous, local organization working to create lasting change in people's lives and the communities we serve in Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Yellow Medicine and portions of Cottonwood, Lac qui Parle, Nobles and Redwood Counties of Minnesota.