Together with many community partners, United Way of Allen County has long been in the business of creating tangible improvement in the lives of residents. Historically, we have raised dollars and provided funding to a vital network of local health and human service programs.
While raising money and funding programs remains at the heart of what we do, today we are also doing much more. One of the fundamental goals in our new strategic plan is to engage and challenge our community to help Improve Success in School, Promote Family Stability and Meet Basic Needs.
We believe that the best way to help the greatest number of people is to focus on the underlying causes of our most serious problems. It takes a whole community – working together – to address those issues. We started by listening to peoples’ ideas about what matters. Then we involved our donors and the community in identifying the most important issues and needs. Now, we're working with our partner agencies and other organizations to create a collective solution that no one agency could deliver alone.
In short, we are bringing people together from all across Allen County – people from government, business, faith groups, nonprofits and neighborhoods – to tackle the most important issues. If it requires fundraising, changing public policies or just getting people to work together, we’ll do it. Our goal is lasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place.
Our focus areas are:
Improving Success in School…United Way is building upon an existing network of collaborative partners to better meet the educational needs of our most vulnerable children. This year, United Way of Allen County will invest $1,563,307 to improve success in school.
Improving success in school services include quality child care and education for child academic success; meaningful child/adult relationships (mentoring); and involvement of families in leadership roles and decision-making about their child’s education.
Promoting Family Stability...
United Way increases access to opportunities that help hardworking people become more economically stable to live independently. This year, United Way of Allen County will invest $2,093,867 to promote family stability.
Promoting family stability services include job training and literacy skills to develop employment opportunities; mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence services for low-income individuals; case management and counseling services to enhance personal growth; and disability and mobility services to achieve independence.
Meeting Basic Needs...
United Way helps people meet their basic needs by providing financial resources and supportive services for individuals experiencing a crisis. This year, United Way of Allen County will invest $962,192 to meet basic needs.
Meeting basic needs services include help with financial and material assistance, food, health care and utilities; medical transportation to maintain physical well-being and sustain independence; and emergency shelter and supportive services for homeless people.
10-Year Plan (DOC)
Investment Plan 2007 - 2009 (DOC)
Community Initiative Application (DOC)