t Making A Difference

After graduating from West Central Area High and then Concordia College, Huber accepted her first job with John Deere, gaining valuable corporate experience learning how successful businesses operate as she worked in factory marketing and eventually became the first female territory manager in South Dakota. Upon returning to the FargoMoorhead area in 2002, Huber spent time in several interesting and rewarding jobs with Bell State Bank and Trust and their subsidiary companies, and even built her own book of business as an employee benefits broker. Each position allowed her to work with and learn from talented and dedicated professionals as well as gain skills in relationship building and business development. To compliment her work experience, in 2007 Huber completed her MBA from the University of Mary.

In 2011 Huber received an invitation from United Way of Cass-Clay to join their team as Resource Development Director. This position offered a unique opportunity to use her leadership and marketing skills in combination with her passion for impacting positive social change. The creative and dynamic work environment at the United Way of Cass-Clay (UWCC) proved to be a perfect match for Huber. She simply beams as she describes the many outstanding ways that UWCC impacts our community. “We certainly do fundraising.” In fact in the three years Huber has served as Development Director they have successfully raised over 15 million dollars! But as Huber continued, “We are an ‘and’ organization. Along with fundraising, we strategically invest resources, and train and empower volunteers, and positively impact our community through support of lifechanging programs.”

The mission of United Way of Cass-Clay is to connect people to people, needs to resources and experts to advocates to improve lives and advance the common good. To do this well the UWCC needs to identify local concerns and priorities and consider the most effective and efficient way to meet those needs. As Huber explained, “It is an honor to work for an organization which functions at such a unique position in the community. Because we work with nonprofit, for-profit, private, educational and philanthropic partners, we are positioned to recognize the present and future needs of our community.” Although the United Way has been active in Fargo Moorhead for 87 years, and is part of the largest nonprofit organization in the world, the UWCC is very intentional about understanding and responding to the current needs of the local community. Utilizing research, they make informed decisions about resource allocations that will yield the “best return on investment.” According to Huber, “We strongly believe the dollars we raise are more than charity, they are investments in the economic development and wellbeing of our entire region.”

The heart of the United Way is people helping people. It always has been and always will be. But because of the concentration on making investment decisions based on what research says will create the greatest good, the United Way has recently experienced a time of change as they refine their focus. This emphasis has resulted in new clarity for how to best invest in the building blocks which will provide the foundation for a good life, both for individuals and in turn the community. The resulting comprehensive strategy is to slow the cycle of poverty through investment in the four focus areas of education, income stability, health and basic needs.

Education is a means for each person to learn and develop to their fullest potential. Huber explained that “Research indicates that when a child is at risk for falling behind educationally, the earlier the intervention, the greater the positive impact.” Because of this the United Way convened a new partnership with 26 nonprofit service providers called the United for Education Collaborative.

Through this partnership high-quality early childhood education, family mental health, safe and engaging after school opportunities and parent/guardian education programs have become top priorities for the United Way’s support.

One of the successful programs UWCC has supported for over 10 years is the Imagination Library program. With the intent to spark a love for reading, and prepare a child for kindergarten, the Imagination Library provides children ages birth through five residing in Cass or Clay counties with a free book in the mail each month. This program encourages parents and guardians to become involved with reading to their children, and participants can build a library of 60 books before they enter kindergarten. Currently more than 9,000 children receive a book monthly from the United Way.

The North Dakota Reading Corps is a United Way Community Partner which works with children from pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade to improve reading skills. Utilizing volunteer reading tutors using specific intervention strategies partnered with young students whose reading skills are below grade level expectation, the program served 459 elementary students in 2012-2013. By the end of the school year 89% of those students were successfully reading at or above grade level! This early intervention will have long-term positive effects as children move through their academic career transitioning from learning to read to the application of reading to learn.

Supply Drive which provides a backpack with grade-appropriate school supplies to students in need. In 2013 the School Supply Drive engaged more than 450 volunteers to equip 4,744 students with a backpack to help them start the school year with the necessary supplies.

Education that Works is a program in which UWCC partners with area schools as well as the Greater FM Economic Development Corporation to support educational initiatives targeting skills necessary in today’s world of work. Among other initiatives of the program are enhanced professional development opportunities to help teachers collaborate with business partners and each other to implement authentic and relevant learning experiences.

Each fall the UWCC coordinates the Day of Caring. This annual event focuses on helping local senior citizens with basic tasks and outdoor chores. In 2013 they coordinated 1,625 individuals from 113 business partners to serve 389 seniors. From washing windows, to raking leaves to light construction projects, this generous labor of neighborly love is certainly a highlight for the seniors who receive the help.

None of the excellent programming the United Way supports would be possible without the combined efforts of an extraordinary group of volunteers. In 2013 the service of 3,063 volunteers provided support valued over $505,600. Volunteers raise dollars, work on community events and projects and guide grant-making decisions.

One of the most effective ways to encourage volunteers desiring to make a positive difference is to provide adequate support and preparation. The 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program provides leadership training and development focusing on mobilizing the caring power of women to energize and inspire them to make a difference. The program deepens leadership and networking opportunities for 35 young women in Cass and Clay counties each year. 2014 marked the 6th annual group of women who have met monthly to discuss topics such as goal setting, personal growth, board leadership, public speaking, conflict management, interpersonal skills, philanthropy and mentorship. Alumni from the program frequently share how the course has had a profound impact on their personal and professional growth.

In 2001 UWCC created the Women’s Leadership Council designed to be a powerful network of women who strengthen our community through investments of leadership, fundraising and community service. Each year, this inspiring group of women partner with UWCC staff to coordinate a women’s leadership luncheon. On November 5th 2014, they will host Stacy Bess, a teacher whose story is retold in the book, “Nobody Don’t Love Nobody.” Proceeds from the event will be invested in the United Way’s work with early childhood education.

Each program that the United Way develops requires the commitment of visionary leadership. According to UWCC President, Sher Thomsen, “Kristi is an incredible asset to our organization. She is the kind of leader that is not only exceptional at her job, but also a servant leader who connects with people because of her genuine caring and compassion.”

Beyond her work as Resource Development Director for the United Way, Huber has also chosen some key organizations through which to volunteer her personal time. Mentorship has become a core value and passion for Huber. She had the life changing opportunity to be a part of the Big Brother Big Sister program serving as a mentor to a young girl named Amber for nine years. Their relationship endured through both good times and challenges, from elementary school and beyond, and now Huber is thrilled that her little sister Amber is successfully pursuing a college degree in occupational therapy. Huber is certain that Amber has gained the confidence to dream and will go on to change the lives of others in need.

Another mentorship opportunity came through Concordia’s Offutt School of Business when Huber worked with a young woman seeking vocational discernment. Huber helped her explore the rewarding possibility of a career in nonprofit work. Additionally Huber serves Concordia as a member of the National Alumni Board. Serving as President for the FM AM Rotary club has also been an important platform for Huber to share her passion for making a difference. During her year as president, the group raised over $19,800 to give to great nonprofit organizations such as the YWCA, the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center, and Rebuilding Together. Working alongside others from the group they also helped clean at the YWCA emergency shelter, worked at a Fargo Marathon aid station, provided bell ringers for the Salvation Army, packed food at the Great Plains Food Bank, and completed roadside garbage clean up.

Huber and her husband Gregg live in West Fargo and it will probably come as no surprise that even in her “off duty” time, they are involved with a Life Group and other ministry opportunities at their church. They also love watching hockey and have a goal to see all 30 NHL arenas in North America.

In each of her roles, Huber considers it a priority to connect with people. Her warm and enthusiastic personality makes her someone others look to for encouragement and support. Much like her early days of storytelling in Elbow Lake, she continues to eagerly share ideas and inspiration with others, and encourages them to “look for the starfish in their paths.” As this generous woman firmly believes, “We each have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life, and in turn it will change our own lives.” [AWM]