United Way Of Monroe County

By Mia Partlow

Posted June 1, 2011

In addition to the grants United Way provides to partner organizations, United Way of Monroe County serves as a convener of social service agencies.

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United Way convenes nonprofit coalitions dedicated to early childhood education, dropout prevention, and financial literacy.

One of the great things about this area is that people really do want to get engaged…and we actually have a name for that: we call it ‘Living United.’ When you give, advocate, and volunteer for the things that you care about, you are going to make a better community. And a lot of people in this area want to ‘Live United.’ –Barry Lessow, Executive Director, United Way of Monroe County

United Way of Monroe County works to provide access to lifelong education, jobs that allow people of all abilities to be self-sufficient, and basics such as food, housing, and health care. A focus on the “three Es” of education, earning ability, and essentials, as Executive Director Barry Lessow describes them, is shared by all twenty-four of United Way’s member agencies. The mission of United Way of Monroe County is to improve people’s lives by making sure their critical needs are being met today, while also reducing their needs in the future.

Many people may identify United Way with their annual giving campaign, which in 2011 raised $1.4 million. According to United Way of Monroe County, 91 cents of every dollar raised is used for program services at partner agencies.

However, in addition to the grants United Way provides to partner nonprofits and other community organizations, United Way of Monroe County serves as a convener of social service agencies, government agencies, and even private companies to address the needs of Monroe County residents in the areas of education, job training, and the provision of basic needs such as housing and food.

Some of their partnership initiatives include the Born Learning campaign, the Monroe Smart Start Birth to Five Coalition, the Dropout Prevention Coalition, and Bank on Bloomington, which helps people access financial services and education.