Lenawee United Way 1

The mission of Lenawee United Way is to mobilize community resources to

create a measurably better life for the people of Lenawee County.

Community Impact is . . .

Mobilizing communities

to

create lasting changes in community conditions

thatimprove lives

Lenawee United Way

Definition of Community Impact: Improving lives by mobilizing communities to create

lasting changes in community conditions.

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“Cultivate the root.

The leaves and branches will take care of themselves.”

-Confucius

Lenawee United Way

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What Does “Getting Focused” Look Like?

Priority Area

Goal

Objective

Strategy

Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources

Education-To cut in half the number of high

school dropouts in half

Lenawee United Way

How We’re Working Towards Them:

Our Goals Over Next 10 Years:

Income-To cut in half the number of lower-

income families who are financially

unstable

Health-To increase by one-third the number of

youth and adults who are healthy and avoid

risky behaviors

Funding Collaboration Programs

Our Programs

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Myth Buster #1

How much of my donation goes to serving those in need?

99% of your investment stays in Lenawee County. The other 1% is membership dues paid to United Way Worldwide for the use of the brand, market research, and training events. Lenawee United Way’s overhead is 14%, which meets national United Way Worldwide standards and compares favorably with other local non-profit health and human service organizations. 

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Myth Buster #2

My investment doesn’t go where it’s needed most.

Lenawee United Way awards grants to address the greatest needs of the most vulnerable persons in our community. Community volunteers decide where your investment is most needed. These teams of volunteers review and evaluate each program application and decide upon the level of funding to award each program. In addition, United Way has its own annual audit conducted by an outside accounting firm to make certain the donor gifts are used properly. 

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Myth Buster #3

My investment doesn’t go where I want it to.

Your donation is invested in the Community Impact Fund which supports our partner programs. If you prefer, gifts of $100 or more, may be designated to a specific non-profit health and human service agency (7% administrative fee will be applied). Your designation to a specific non-profit agency does not effect the amount of money that partner agencies are awarded from the Lenawee United Way Community Impact Fund. 

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Myth Buster #4

Does United Way support church-related activities?

United Way funds agencies that offer a wide range of services including some that are affiliated with local churches. However, these programs are supported because they meet a critical community need. United Way funds only the health and human service programs, not the religious activities.  

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Myth Buster #5

Who decides which programs you fund?

Knowledgeable, well-trained volunteers from across our community - people like you - carefully screen and select the programs funded by your United Way contribution. After selection, these programs are closely monitored to make sure they produce positive, measurable results.

Our United Way staff facilitates this unique process but does NOT determine which programs are funded; the process is entirely community-driven.  

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Myth Buster #6

Why give to United Way instead of a specific agency?

An investment to the United Way will assure the availability of an entire network of human services.  For example, a homeless family needs food, clothing, and shelter.  If you give to a specific agency you can make this happen.  But, what if the family also needs job training, daycare, and counseling to leave the shelter?  No one agency can meet all the needs of this family.  United Way makes sure all these services are available, from the temporary bed to the long-term solution. 

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Myth Buster #7

I don’t have a lot to give, can I make an impact?

YES you can!  No matter how much you choose to invest, you will be helping to improve the lives of families in Lenawee County.  Your investment is joined by many others to support a network of programs and partnerships that produces outcomes.

2012-2014 Funded Programs

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EducationAdrian Community Preschool – Kindergarten PreparationBoys & Girls Club of Lenawee – Project Learn Communities and Schools of Lenawee – Integrated Student SupportCommunities and Schools of Tecumseh – Total Quality SystemGoodwill Industries – Youth StartLISD – Lenawee’s CHILD Income

Childcare Network – Family SupportCommunity Action Agency – Complete Approach to Self-Sufficiency & CASS Mini IDA

Goodwill Industries – Workers on WheelsHabitat for Humanity – Home Ownership

Housing Help of Lenawee – Housing FirstHealthBoys & Girls Club of Lenawee – Triple PlayCatholic Charities – Clinical Counseling Voucher ProgramFamily Counseling & Children’s Services – Clinical Counseling Voucher ProgramFamily Medical Center – Improved Access to Medical ServicesHOPE Community Center – The Wellness ClubLegal Services of South Central MI – Domestic Violence PreventionSalvation Army – Fresh Food InitiativeYMCA of Lenawee – Y Jump Start to PLAY