January 10, 2012
For Immediate Release
UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES ACTION PLANS
FOR THE EDUCATION GOAL
United Way has convened Community Partners to address the Education Goal targeting the success of children and teens in school. Working in close collaboration with the Lawrence Public School and the Lawrence Douglas County Health Department, United Way Community Partners have shaped action plans targeting such indicators of success as Kindergarten readiness and 5th Grade proficiency in reading and math. Community Partners providing programs to address the Education Goal have submitted a collaborative grant application, and will receive funding based on a 3 year cycle.
The collaborative structure of funding in place for the Education Goal is a new approach for United Way. Previously, local human service agencies were approved to receive funding by the Board of Directors, and applied on an individual basis to receive funds to support their programs. However, in this changing environment, our local support system needs to think differently about how we address the human service needs of our community. A united, collaborative effort with a common agenda is required to solve complex problems, and United Way is uniquely positioned to support that effort.
United Way has gathered information over the past 18 months from a community-wide survey, focus groups and community data to identify the following Community Goals:
EDUCATION:
Children & teens are successful in school.
SELF SUFFICIENCY:
People maintain steady jobs & financial stability.
HEALTH:
People of all ages have access to mental & physical health care.
The United Way remains committed to SAFETY NET SERVICES such as food, shelter, rent, utilities and
crisis response as they impact progress on the goals.
Because of the large scope of this transformation, United Way is working with one goal at a time over the next 3 years. The United Way Board will direct 36% of non-designated funds raised in the 2011-2012 campaign to the Education Goal. Remaining funds will be allocated to Community Partners addressing the goals of Health and Self Sufficiency, which include Safety Net Services.
To deliver services in each of these areas, the United Way Board has approved twenty-nine Community Partners who are eligible for funding. These Community Partners have self identified one or more Community Goals to address, and have been proactive in developing action plans.
United Way has encouraged the 2012 Education Goal action plans to be collaborative and coordinated for effective engagement of the community to create positive systemic change. Action plans should also have a high likelihood of success and sustainability, provide measurable outcomes and serve a significant number of people. Community Partners have identified Education Goal program standards to insure quality programs that are research-based and provide curriculum consistent with state curriculum standards.
United Way has initially identified three target indicators under the Education Goal:
1. Kindergarten Readiness, as determined by the DIBELS Kindergarten assessment, will include programs that provide resources and supports for childcare providers and early learning centers. Parents of children enrolled in a targeted learning center will be offered parental engagement opportunities to ensure that they are connected and invested in their child’s learning and social emotional development. The action plan will move our community toward standard quality rating for child care and early learning.
2. 5th Grade Reading and Math Proficiency will include programs that provide academically enriching afterschool programming, mentoring programs to provide social and emotional support and training opportunities for volunteers working with children to reinforce the academic messages in school. A pilot project providing family & student support will be initiated at an eastside elementary school in the fall of 2012.
3. The High School Graduation indicator is a long-term goal that will be addressed by the action plans mentioned above. Additional activities targeting older youth are still under development. United Way will continue to work with Community Partners in this area to determine how best to address efforts that will lead to more high school students graduating on time.
Throughout the process, workgroups in each of these areas will review outcomes, adapt the plans, and engage partners who will help the community make progress on the goals. At the completion of each funding cycle, these United Way workgroups will assess progress toward the goal, reaffirm, or adjust the goal and continue to move ahead.
United Way’s mission is to address human service needs by mobilizing community resources and building partnerships. By identifying and measuring Community Goals, United Way programs can significantly improve lives by addressing some of the community-wide challenges that keep our most vulnerable residents from being successful.
DINE OUT TO DONATE TO UNITED WAY AT THE ORIENT VIETNAMESE/ OH BOY CHICKEN RESTAURANTS EVERY THURSDAY, beginning JANUARY 19, 2012.
Nancy Nguyen, owner of the Orient Vietnamese and Oh Boy Chicken Restaurants, wants to give back to the community that helped her when she came to America in the mid 1970's. Her list of charitable organizations to support includes several area churches and many local non-profits. To make her philanthropic efforts more efficient, Nancy contacted United Way. As a Community Partner Restaurant, she has generously agreed to offer a special promotion to benefit United Way every Thursday beginning January 19, 2012.
Dine In or Carry Out for lunch or dinner at the Orient Vietnamese/Oh Boy Chicken restaurant at 1006 Massachusetts and 15% of your bill will be donated to United Way of Douglas County. Additional discounts not included. Special thanks to the Nguyen family for sponsoring this ongoing special event.
EUDORA'S TACO DINNER at the BLACK CAT CAFE BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Over 70 Eudora residents of all ages enjoyed some great food and benefitted the United Way at the Black Cat Cafe Thursday November 3. Eudora Boy Scouts helped serve delicious beef tacos dinners to the attendees, while Eudora Girl Scouts and EHS students helped clean up. Proceeds from the event will go to United Way, AND the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Eudora. Special Thanks to Grace Marion, Eudora Division Campaign Chair, and the Black Cat Cafe for organizing this event.
Pictured here are Eudora Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who helped with the 1st shift of the Taco Dinner (left to right, back row) Simoon Elwell, Serena Ward, Lindsay Stouder, Angel Garrett and Andrew Briery; (front row) Graci Buchholz, Indigo Soileau and Mary Young.
THANK YOU TO THE LODGE OF BALDWIN CITY FOR HOSTING A SUCCESSFUL WINE AND FOOD PAIRING EVENT!
Peach Madl and Baldwin area Celebrity Chefs shared their favorite food and wine pairings on Thursday, November 17th at beautiful Lodge of Baldwin City. Proceeds totalling $2,000 were collected to benefit the United Way. Plans are already in the works for next year's event! Thanks to the following couples for sharing their culinary talents: The Alsups, the Zarembas, the Kronoshacks, the Madls, the Ireys, the Hills, the Vandeventers and the Harmons.
Rock Chalk Revue presents check for $62,000.
Rock Chalk Revue Executive Directors (left to right) John Zecy, Emily Drape, Jon Goscha and Sabrina Ahmed presented a check in the amount of $62,000 to United Way Campaign Co-Chairs Val and Beth Stella and KU Division Chair Sara Rosen during the October 22 KU vs K-State game. This is the largest gift ever presented by Rock Chalk Revue.
September 16, 2011
United Way 2011 Campaign Celebrates Community Support
United Way celebrated their Community Campaign Kickoff with a disco dance theme on Thursday, September 15 at Abe & Jake’s Landing in Lawrence, Kansas. Free food and fun activities including a Mini Bounce House, Crazy Hats table and a Photo booth attracted lots of families to come and enjoy the event.
United Way conducts an annual campaign in the fall to raise funds for our Community Goals of Education, Health and Self Sufficiency. The goals are achieved with the programs and services provided by our 29 Community Partners.
The United Way’s Campaign Co-Chairs Val and Beth Stella lead the program of the evening with recognition of the efforts of the 29 Pacesetter organizations. These groups set the pace for the campaign, and go above and beyond to run successful campaigns. In addition to making pledges, they conducted bowling tournaments, hot dog roasts and bake sales, and rock ‘n roll barbeques.
The Pacesetter organizations, together with KU’s Rock Chalk Revue gift and Leadership Givers who have pledged to date have raised a collective total of $416,000. United Way’s 2011 Campaign Goal is $1,700,000. To date we’ve raised 25% of our goal, so we have a long way to go. The Stellas urged all of the attendees to encourage their friends to give, advocate and volunteer. But mostly GIVE. Our community need ALL of us to do our part!
SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TO:
- Abe & Jake’s Landing for allowing us use of their beautiful space
- The Kickoff Committee members: Katy Ibsen, Rosie Robertson, Emily Werner Peterson and Phil Cauthon.
- T-shirt sponsors: Capitol Federal Savings Foundation, The World Company, and Central National Bank
- United Way Leadership Givers who have stepped forward early and made their pledge,
- Pacesetter organizations. Please take a look at the list of our Pacesetters, and thank these organizations when you frequent their place of business.
- Food donors: Sonic Drive In on 31st street, Dillons on 23rd, and Hy-Vee on Clinton Parkway
- Grill meisters Gary and Nathan Dick
- Peach Madl and The Sandbar Disco Dance Lessons
- Scott Simpson, Disco DJ extraordinaire
- Alecia Ruscin’s Photo Booth and KT Walsh’s Crazy Hats
- Brian Hanni and the Rock Chalk Sports Talk show
- Lazer 105.9 with Beth B
- KU’s BIG JAY, and all of the other local team mascots that could join us this evening.
Special recognition also goes out to the Community Partners, who are working very hard to provide meaningful programs and services that align with our Community Goals of Education, Health and Self-Sufficiency.
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. |
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