Author: Brian Buckner

October 17, 2023: New United Way App Connects Communities to Help, Resources

Posted on by Brian Buckner

New United Way App Connects Communities to Help, Resources

 

MADISON (WKOW)  |  October 17, 2023  A new app is making it easier for people to get around-the-clock help from the United Way.

The United Way of Dane County 211 Wisconsin app can help users find food, rental assistance, addiction treatment and even health and human services resources.

The resource isn’t just available for Dane County — the Columbia, Sauk, Iowa, Rock, Green and Lafayette county communities are also able to use it to find help.

Ed Wall, director of 211, says the app does more than connect people to agencies.

“Our specialists are trained to identify root causes of a client’s problem – and provide callers with a wide range of available resources that meet all their underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text or email.”

He said the app will let them reach more people who need help.

The app is available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play. There are also kiosks that have the app on them so everyone has access to the resource.

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Sep 19, 2023: United Way kicks off $18.1 million Community Campaign at Breese Stevens Field

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Wisconsin State Journal  |  Melissa Perry  | 

On a sunny Monday afternoon, more than 400 volunteers and community members were scattered around Breese Stevens Field, as the United Way of Dane County kicked off its annual Community Campaign.

The outdoor event attracted attendees of all ages and backgrounds, as they came together to celebrate and unite in their passion for community service and philanthropy.

“I’m excited to see all the champions for positive change,” said Renee Moe, president and CEO of the United Way of Dane County. “You walk around and you see kids, you see retirees, you see users of United Way services, partners, CEOs. Everyone is just so excited to come together.”

 

For this year’s campaign, the United Way of Dane County has a goal of raising $18.1 million. The funds raised in the Community Campaign are essential in supporting the organization’s partnerships with local nonprofits and its Community Plan for Wellbeing, which seeks to address needs related to early childhood, income, education and health.

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Sep 19, 2023: United Way of Dane County kicks off 2023 campaign

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Madison365 staff  | 

United Way of Dane County officially kicked off its 2023 Community Campaign on Monday at Breese Stevens Field on Madison’s East Side.

The United Way hosted 450 volunteers for an afternoon of family-friendly activities as the group packed more than 4,000 paper product packs to be distributed to nonprofit partners at Community Action Coalition, WayForward Resources, Second Harvest Foodbank and Porchlight.

 

“The energy at Breese Stevens Field was contagious. It just goes to show how much we can accomplish when we come together as The Power of Many. Working for All. I’m so grateful for the community support as we innovate forward and continue to uplift family well-being in Dane County,” said Pete Vogel, president and CEO of Vogel Bros. Building Company and United Way 2023 campaign chair, in a statement. “We can’t wait to build from this momentum into this year’s campaign season.”

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September 18, 2023: United Way campaign focuses on education, income, health

Posted on by Brian Buckner

  • United Way campaign focuses on education, income, health

    The Cap Times  |  By Noreen Sharif  | 

The chief executive officer for United Way of Dane County explains its mission in simple terms. The organization, CEO Renee Moe said, “tries to frame up how the community can solve big problems like homelessness and getting more kids to graduate from high school.”

“The fundraising that we do is really a communications campaign to help more people … understand what’s going on in our community, and then asking them to help make the community stronger by giving, advocating and volunteering,” Moe said.

United Way kicked off its 2023 community fundraising campaign Monday afternoon with an event at Breese Stevens Field, seeking $18.1 million to support goals related to early childhood, education, income and health.

To achieve these goals, United Way is collaborating with organizations that are already engaged in those areas. “It’s about solving a particular issue and getting the right partners around the table to solve the problems,” Moe said. 

“To work in education, you need to have great connectivity with school districts and agencies doing after-school care, and we do some programs directly in the schools through our AmeriCorps program, for example.”

According to a report from United Way, educational support programs the organization invests in, such as the community mentorship program offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, helped all participating students in 2022 graduate high school. Of the participants, 95% improved their academic performance and 86% of previously “disengaged students” experienced improved belonging, leadership and academic success, the report said.

“One of the key strategies for higher graduation rates is early childhood home visitation, so helping parents be their child’s first teachers and then helping support with tutors and mentors to focus on key milestones,” Moe said.

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September 18, 2023: ‘We’re all about collective impact’: United Way of Dane County kicks off community campaign

Posted on by Brian Buckner

‘We’re all about collective impact’: United Way of Dane County kicks off community campaign

  • WKOW.com.  |  Grace Houdek  |  Sep 18, 2023 United Way of Dane County kicked off its community campaign Monday with its United Carnival.

At the event, people could play games, win prizes and enjoy all sorts of food. Renee Moe, president and CEO of United Way of Dane County, said making it a carnival shows you can have fun while making a great impact.

“We really want to make sure that we’re teaching all of our community about giving, and sometimes philanthropy or volunteerism. They aren’t things that people know a lot about,” she said. “When you can show a community coming together and supportive others being a part of the greater good, it’s an opportunity to help teach and grow our community strengths.”

Moe said bringing people together this way can make waves in the community.

“United Way, we, really have a multiplier effect because we have great relationships,” Moe said. “We know a lot of folks, we listen really intently to the community, we’re able to multiply impacts.”

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June 8, 2023: United Way of Dane County Awards $25,000 in Micro-Investment Funds to Local Grassroots Organizations

Posted on by Brian Buckner

United Way of Dane County Awards $25,000 in Micro-Investment Funds to Local Grassroots Organizations

Madison, WI (June 8, 2023) – On June 7, 2023, United Way of Dane County awarded 2023 Micro Investment Grants. A total of $25,000 in grant funding was awarded to six grassroots organizations working to advance racial equity and/or social justice for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Southeast Asian or individuals and/or families of color in Dane County. Recipients include groups and organizations with an annual operating budget of $50,000 or less.

“These grants provide innovative funding for exciting programs led by leaders of color that aren’t yet able to apply for traditional investments. Organizations such as Literacy Network, Centro Hispano and Operation Fresh Start, started with microgrants and we know these grants can make a big difference,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO, United Way of Dane County. “We are excited to be supporting these grassroots organizations strengthening Dane County by providing culturally competent community, education and health-focused services.”

Recipients of these grant dollars include:

  • Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP
  • Backyard Mosaic Women’s Project
  • BLIPS (Black Leaders in Plain Sight)
  • Cultural Treasure
  • Miss Grand Hmong’s Scholarship
  • Reimagining Full Spectrum Doula Services

United Way knows that collective impact is the key to community well-being and the microinvestment grant process is an example of working collaboratively with our community, network of local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors, volunteers and families to address big picture issues that no one individual or organization can solve alone.

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Karen Burch, VP Community Engagement and Marketing, United Way of Dane County at (608) 246-4366 or karen.burch@uwdc.org

About United Way of Dane County: For 100 years, United Way of Dane County has mobilized the caring power of our community to create lasting change for multiple generations. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to being a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change – working collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors, volunteers and families to solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All. And we invite every Dane County resident to be a part of the change we all wish to see. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.

May 3, 2023: By Youth For Youth Group Awards $36,447 to Local Youth Programs

Posted on by Brian Buckner

By Youth For Youth Group Awards $36,447 to Local Youth Programs

High school leaders review and identify grants that will benefit youth-led organizations and youth programs

Madison, WI (May 3, 2023) – The By Youth for Youth (BYFY) committee, a collaborative program through the Dane County Youth Commission, United Way of Dane County, the City of Madison Community Development Division and UW-Extension Dane County’s Institute of Positive Youth Development, awarded $36,447 to 13 local youth programs and projects.

BYFY’s funding priorities for 2023 were focused on mental and physical health, school programming and student support, youth experiencing poverty, youth experiencing food insecurity, youth experiencing homelessness, climate change, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and immigration.

“The By Youth For Youth program is a great way to engage the next generation of community leaders right here in Dane County,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “By working together to help identify and fund solutions to real issues our community is facing, these inspiring teens are learning how to collaborate, communicate effectively and accelerate results. All in order to help build community well-being.”

“By Youth For Youth is a one-of-a-kind youth program, and the City of Madison is proud to partner with them,” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor of Madison. “BYFY puts decision-making power in the hands of young people in real and structural ways, allowing participants to fund other youth programs, preparing them to be community leaders and participate in policy-making and funding decisions. BYFY supports young people in understanding and exercising the power they have to better their communities.”

Funding highlights:

Rooted – Eggcellent Chicken Coop: Thanks to generosity from the City of Madison supporting S.T.E.M. related youth projects, $5,000 goes toward the Badger Rock urban farm and youth garden educational chicken coop program. Youth will engage in hands-on learning about caring for and managing the chicken coop to provide organic eggs at a low cost to residents to address food security needs.

Bayview Foundation – Youth Advocacy & Support Program: $3,000 goes toward providing lowincome BIPOC and LGTBQ+ youth gender-specific spaces and activities to discuss youth issues and build community with their peers.

Avicenna Society of Madison – Afghan Kabul Cuisine Startup: $3,000 goes toward funding a Afghan cuisine startup restaurant that will help address poverty, food insecurity and employment opportunities for Afghan refugee youth in the Dane County area.

Full List of Funded Organizations and Programs:

  • Dear Diary of Madison – Students for Students
  • Cultural Connections Inc. – Club Express/Silk Screen Project
  • Bayview Foundation – Youth Advocacy & Support Program
  • McFarland Youth Center – Care Package Backpacks for the Homeless
  • Rooted – Eggscellent Chicken Coop
  • Memorial High School – Latinos Unidos/Latino Festival
  • Sun Prairie Westside Elementary, Student Safety Ambassadors – Empowering SP Students to Stop the Bleed
  • Madison East High School – Computer Lab Art & Photography
  • Briarpatch Youth Services – Teens Like Us/Briar Attire
  • Waunakee High School – Investing in Future Educators
  • Avicenna Society of Madison – Afghan Kabul Cuisine Startup; Aid to Afghan Children & Families; Libyan Refugee US Citizenship Needs

About By Youth For Youth:

By Youth For Youth (BYFY) is a volunteer committee of Dane County high school students that make investment decisions for youth-led programming and initiatives in Dane County. BYFY members identify critical public health issues impacting youth in Dane County, establish funding priorities, review grant proposals, and recommend funding from County and City grants to support projects developed and implemented by youth to serve youth. Three sponsors provide the funding for BYFY projects: United Way, Dane County Youth Commission and the City of Madison Community Development Division. United Way of Dane County is the fiscal agent for both City and County funds. University of Madison-Wisconsin Extension provides administrative and programmatic oversight in partnership with the City of Madison.

About United Way of Dane County

For more than 100 years, United Way of Dane County has led in mobilizing the community to address our toughest issues and spark lasting, generational change. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to being a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change – working collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All. And we invite every Dane County resident to be a part of the change we all wish to see. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.