United Way of the Midlands - 100 Years

A special message to the Omaha-Council Bluffscommunity

AsUnited Way oftheMidlands celebrates 100 years ofserving theOmaha-CouncilBluffs metro, we aresograteful for the supportand caringspirit thathasmadethis workpossible

Sinceour verybeginningas The CommunityChest in1923, we’ve workedalongsideour valued partners to build awarenessof communityneedsand form a Circleof Support to address those needs. We remove barriers, create opportunityand strengthenthe systems that people relyon whentheyare looking for assistance

By bridging the business,not-for-profitand governmentsectors, we’reable to raisefundsand invest in programs anddirectservices to address unmetneeds.And by remaining flexible andadaptive, we continually evolve to ensure the path to opportunityisopenand accessible in our community.

As you explore thisspecialsection, we hope youwilllearn more

about United Way’s strong heritage inthemetro, the work we do withour partners to show how strong our communitycanbeand thecurrentchallenges many of our neighborsare dealing with. You’ll also seewhypeoplefromall walksoflife choose to joinwith us to impact thefutureoftheOmaha-Council Bluffsmetro and how youcanbe partofour100-year anniversary celebration.

Lookingahead, we are uniquelypositioned to tacklethe challengesand celebratethe successesofthenext100 years thanks to the continuedsupportofthis generous communityand peoplelike you.

With gratitude,

Honoringourpast, lookingforward

In1923, extraordinarylocalcitizensbanded together for a commoncauseand formedwhat isnowUnited Way oftheMidlands(UWM).Initiallycalled The Community Chest,theorganization wasdesigned to pool community resources andinvestincriticalhealthandhumanservices nonprofitsthatdirectlysupported localneeds. Intheearliestdays, funds were raisedfromacrossthe communityandallocated to 32 nonprofitorganizations. And inthe1930s,theorganization temporarilychangedits focus to serve individuals who were unable to receive any government relief

Whilemuchhaschanged,much remainsthe same. UWM is stillatrusted steward fordonordollarsandan agent of change.Asneedshave continually evolved over the years, we have focused resources and expandedthenetwork oforganizations we support—whilealsomobilizing peopleand resources intimesofeconomiccrisis,health emergenciesandnaturaldisasters.

We continue to thrive todaybecauseofthe strategic leadershipofourBoardofDirectors,and theamazing partnerships we’vecreatedwithlocal businesses, state and localgovernment,individualdonors,nonprofit agencies, volunteersandothers. Together, theyallserve to inspirephilanthropy, strengthenthehealthandhuman servicesinfrastructureinour communityandsupportthe work we do

Thanks to thisongoingsupport,UWMnow investsin morethan150nonprofit programs,andhas steppedup to fillunmetneedsthroughdirect services— includingthe211 Helpline and JAGNebraska:

• The 211Helpline isanessentialserviceoffered to theentire stateofNebraska—as wellasIowa on nights and weekends.Itprovidesfreeinformationand referral services to peoplewhomaynotknowhow to findor access localprograms to addresstheirneeds. Connected to morethan19,000programsandservices across NebraskaandIowa, the 211 Helplineisopen to provide assistance 24/7,365 days a year in over 240 languages. In2022alone, the211Helpline recordedmorethan 364,000 contacts— a nearly40% increase from2021 —withcallers’ topfiveneedsbeing: housing,utility assistance, employment,healthcareand food.

•Createdthroughapartnershipwith the Stateof Nebraska’s DepartmentsofLabor andHealthandHuman Services— JAGNebraska isdedicated to empowering studentswith personalandprofessionaldevelopment trainingandsupport to succeedinhighschool,higher education, the workplace andlife.

Since2019, JAGNebraska has grown to serve over1,000 students at 24 middleandhighschoolprogramsacross the state. WiththesupportofGovernorPillen,andUWM’s Emerging Leadersgroup, futuregoals fortheprogramare tocontinue to expand statewideprograms—increasing capacity to serveall studentsthat wouldbenefitfrom JAGNebraska.

A certified JAGCareerSpecialistineachschoolprovides attentionandsupport to studentsthroughhands-on instructionand realistic learning experiences wherethey masteraminimum of 37 and up to 87 core competencies identified by business andindustryas essential to successfulemploymentandpositive outcomesinlife.

When organizationslikeoursachieve 100 yearsof makingapositiveimpact, itis easyto lookbackand marvel at what hasbeenaccomplished.Instead,UWMis usingthismilestoneasanopportunity to look forward andsee howourorganization can continueand expandits work for our community overthenext 100 years.

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1923 – Localcitizensand communityleadersbanded together to create United Way oftheMidlands’prototype, The CommunityChest. We were,and stillare, dedicated to responding to the community’s needs, by investingdollarsin localhealthandhumanservice programsthatmakethe mostimpact.Inourfirst year, funds were allocatedamong 32participatingnonprofit agencies.

1920s –Fromthebeginning, a strongnetworkofhuman services wasessential to addressinterconnected needsinour community. Fordecades, we calledthe membersofthisnetwork“Red Feather”agencies. The Red Feather waspartoffundraising andcampaignefforts,and organizations receivingUWM fundingproudlydisplayeda red featherasa symbolofthis partnership.

1933-34 – With theintroduction of federal relief programs, The CommunityChest temporarilyshifted its focus to those unable to receive governmentaid. Theorganization’s 1934annual campaignlasted10 days withagoal to raise$554,800.

2015 – The Corporate Partnersof the Year awards were established to recognizeorganizations thatgoabove andbeyond to supportUWMandour community.

2019 –SenatorMike McDonnellmadefunding for the211Helplinehisprioritybill intheNebraska Legislature andcreatedapublic-private partnership.

2019 –Duringthe catastrophicflooding, UWM worked to helpwith aidand recoveryefforts raising over$1million andmaking statewide pay-outs,settingup a temporarycall center forFEMA, takingdisaster reports for NEMAand more.

CELEBRATINGACENTURY

2012 –A committeeoflocalleaders exploredthearea’sneedsand UWM’s roleinthe community. This led to atransformational strategic planthatcalled for expanded fundraisingandtheestablishment ofanopengrantprocess allowingmorenonprofits to apply forfundingandpartnerwith UWM to meetdefinedgoalsand communityneeds.Sincethis reset, UWM’s strategy continues to evolve through community-led strategic plans everythree years.

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2002-10

Helpline expanded from four countiesin 2002 to coveringthe entire state by 2010. In2003,the211Call Center wasaccredited forthefirsttime by theAllianceof Information& Referral Systems,andin2010 the Stateof Nebraska funded211 to take “SafeHaven”calls.

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OFHELPING

2019 – JAG Nebraskais establishedin collaboration withGovernor Pete Rickettsandthe State of Nebraska.An evidencebased, for-creditclassroom elective, JAG helps studentsdevelopskillsets to overcomebarriers to graduation whilesetting themup forsuccess inthe classroom, workplaceand life.

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2020 –UWMpartneredwiththeOmaha

Herald to administertheGoodfellows program.Also in2020, we expandedourpartnershipwithMUDand OPPDthroughthe211Helpline forutilitiesassistance andsecuredCARESfunding forhousing needs.

–UWM’s211

1940s –Womenof themetro have always playedan important rolewith UWM, raising fundsand identifying issues forour collective attention.

1941 –Builtupon amutualdesire to create abetter, strongerandmore vibrant community apartnership was establishedwiththe Omaha Federation ofLabor,AFL-CIO to work together and strengthen themetroarea forgenerations to come.

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1950 –Omaha was oneofthe few communities to pioneeranational model forasingle organization dedicated to all facetsofnonprofit fundraisingand programinvestment… andtheorganization startedcalling ourselvesUnited CommunityServices.

CELEBRATINGACENTURY

1998 – The Court-Referred CommunityService Program (CRCSP) wascreated. Thisprogram, withsupport fromDouglas County, refers criminaloffenders to agencies for completionof judge-ordered communityservice.

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1987 – The Tocqueville Society was established. Thecharter groupincluded 12members whosevision andbeliefin the community spurredothers to joinand give.

OFHELPING OTHERS

1966 –“Volunteerism” wasadded to theorganization’s mission,increasing opportunities forthe community to participate in supportingourcause.

1987 –UWM combined forces withUnited Wayof Council Bluffs to expand fundraising effortsinthe greatermetro area,andalso createda partnershipwith the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD).

1970

Worldprogram.Also pandedourpartnershipwithMUDand

rutilitiesassistance

rhousing stability

2021 –UWMpartnered withtheMetroArea ContinuumofCare forthe Homeless(MACCH)inthe distributionoftheCityof Omaha’s$22milliongrant fromthe U.S.Department of TreasuryEmergency RentalAssistancefund. Thesefundshelped Omahacitizenswho needed rentalandutility assistancedue to the pandemic.

2022 – Through apartnership withMayor Jean Stothert andtheCityof Omaha,UWM wasselected to distribute $5million inAmerican RescuePlan Act (ARPA)funds to agenciesin themetroarea.

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1972 – The“Citizenofthe Year” awardwasestablished to recognize individuals fortheir commitmentand dedication to our community.

1975 – Weofficially became“United Way oftheMidlands.”

Today, UWM continues to serveour community by bridgingthegap betweenthebusinessandnot-for-profit sectors to create aCircleofSupport thathelpsourneighbors overcome difficultchallengesand startbuildinga betterfuture. Forfiscal year2022,UWM raised$36million to supportprograms anddirectservicesthataddresssocial andeconomicdisparitiesandmeet families’essentialneedssuchashealthy food,safeand stablehousing,physical andmentalhealthservices,career preparationandjobtraining.

Ourcommunityneeds

For 100 years, United Wayof theMidlands (UWM) has worked to address our community’s toughest challenges. Whilemany needs have changed, othershave evolvedand some continue to persist. Togetherwith ournetworkofdonors and community partners, we build awarenessand deploy resources where they are needed most.

Herearetheneedsandtrends we’recurrentlyseeing: Povertyis decreasing,butonein threepeoplein the metro still struggle to make endsmeet.

While themetro has relativelylowpoverty rates, ourpercentageof workingpoorisamong the worst inthe country.DatafromtheAmerican Community Surveyshows nearly 70%ofhouseholds in poverty in ourmetro include at least one worker. Inother words, we have more working families livinginpoverty than almost anywhere elseinthe country.

Inflationincreasesthe stress on familiesandour nonprofit system.

While inflationshows some signs of relief,it is still at a13-yearhigh.Andasprices foressential items rise fasterthanothers— familieswithlimited budgetsuse less,borrow ordowithout. We’re continuing to seean uptickinclientsseeking help for the first time

Inflation alsoputs stress onnonprofitsand their capacity to providesupport. Foodpantries report a 50%increasein clients, food costsareup30%and donationscannot stretch as far asin thepast.

Increasedchallenges for familiesand access barriersare creatingamentalhealth crisis especiallyamong youth.

According to a recenthealthassessment,1in 3 people inourareaarenow experiencing symptomsof chronicdepression,and programs continue to report challenges recruitingmentalhealthprofessionals to keepupwithdemand. Perhapsmost alarmingisthe riseof mentalhealthemergenciesamong youth.One localprogramis reporting record levelsofdemand, providingmore youthand families with mental health interventionsthan at any other pointin theirhistory

The number ofdisconnected youthin themetro has increasedfrom 8,900 to approximately12,000.

Residentialenvironment,incomeanda host of other factorscanaffecta youth’s connection to work

and school.Many studentsservedthroughUWM investmentsenter supportprogramsmissing40% or more of school. In Nebraska,nearlyone infive studentsmissed at least10%ofdays duringthe2022 school year— making these students “chronically absent”and at riskof fallingbehind.

Theaffordablehousingcrisisis realand continues to persist —but it’s easy to forgethow urgentthe problem reallyisin themetro.

Toomanyfamiliesin ourarea face housing instability. In themetro, more than 53,000 households pay too muchin rent. These cost-burdenedhouseholds have littleleft overeach month to spendonother necessitiessuch as food, clothing, utilitiesand health care. Furthermore, 98,500 householdsneedaffordable housing, but there are fewer than 20,000dedicated units—creating a gapofalmost80,000units.So it’s nosurprise that housing and utilities represent the highestcaller needs among our 211 Helpline requests.

Asa community, we are called to meetthese momentswithperseverance, innovation and a deep passion foroneanother.UWMisproud to foster a networkoforganizationsthat work everyday to address social and economicdisparities—servingas a champion fora stronger community.

LEARNTHESIGNS–STARTTHECONVERSATION

Millions ofpeopleareaffected by mentalhealth challengeseach yearintheUnited States, andone in threepeople in themetroare experiencing chronic depression

To increaseour community’sunderstandingofmental healthchallengesand reducethebarriersassociated withseekinghelp,UWMhas developed a partnership with Region6 Behavioral Healthcare to expandaccess to free Mental HealthFirst Aid (MHFA)training.

Supportedandchampioned by UWM’s Women Unitedgroup,MHFA trainingisaskills-basedtraining

coursethat takesthe fearand hesitationout of starting conversationsaboutmentalhealth by improvingone’s understandingandprovidingthe tools needed to create anactionplan.

More thanthree millionAmericanshave already become Mental HealthFirstAidersthroughthis internationally recognized, evidence-basedtraining program,and younever knowwho your training couldhelp.

For moreinformationor to signup for aMHFA class, call211orgo to: UnitedWayMidlands.org/MHFA

1in3 people inthemetro struggle to makeendsmeet. ***

Foodpantries report a 50%increase inclients.

THE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY

TheAlexisde Tocqueville Society is comprisedofdonors who give at a levelof $10,000or more annually.

Coming together to make adifferenceinthe metro

By bringing togethergiftsof all sizes— United Wayof the Midlands (UWM) makesthemost of everydonated dollar. We keepour pulse on community needsand ensureall funds are awarded to programsmaking thebiggest communityimpact.

For TimBurke withOmahaChamber of Commerce, 2018and 2022 Campaign Chairwith hiswife, Terri,supporting United Wayisaneasy choice. “It’s about helpingthoseinneed,” Burke said. “And UWMisone of themost-effectiveand efficientorganizations,with more than 95 centsof everydollar raisedgoing directlyback into thehands of those whoneedit.”

Rob Reed with PhysiciansMutual, incoming 2023 CampaignChairwithhis wife, Stacie,sharesa similarsentiment. “United Wayhastremendous impact ontheOmaha-CouncilBluffsmetro, a community we proudlycallhome,” Reed said. “Beinginvolved at thislevelis a way for us to show our gratitude to a community we caresomuchabout.”

Communityimpactalsoinspires Theresa McDermott and her husband, Greg, CreightonUniversitymen’s basketball coach, to donate.“Wechose United Wayasoneof our ‘charities of choice’becausethey support a diverse portfoliooforganizationsand programs that keepdonations local,which is

Youcanhearfrom more community membersonwhy theysupport UWM by scanning theQR code

important to us,”McDermott said. For MattDwyer withGreenslate Development,donating to UWMisall aboutgivingback.“Iamlucky. I was born with my healthand very few obstaclesin my path,”Dwyer said.“If Icanbehelpful to anyone who wasn’t quitethat lucky, thenitis my obligation to doso.”

John P. Nelson withSilverstoneGroup, alsobelievesin givingback.“United Way reaches so many oftheoftenunderserved families,” Nelsonsaid.“I believe thatthoseofus who have been fortunate have an obligation to help thosewho have fallenondifficult times.” Responsibilityandimpactalsoinspire PaulMaass ofScoular and hiswife, Julie. “Theonethingthat stands outis the impactUWMhas across manynonprofitorganizations.Ifirmlybelieve their processesdrivegreatereffectiveness of our community’s philanthropic

efforts,”Maass said.“Webelieve it is our responsibility to give back…and we hope thethings we dowillinspireothers.”

Aninterestinphilanthropy and volunteerism led Ty Kreitman,incoming chairofUWM’s Emerging Leadersgroup, to United Way. “I was introduced to them through my employer’scampaignsand was inspired tocontribute moredirectly,” Kreitmansaid. “Aggregating our resources to build a strongerandmore resilient community takes collective action andaltruisticleadership.UWM leadsthateffortwitha foundation of kindness,empathy and compassion.”

And CyncHealth, in addition to being a 211Helpline partner, alsochooses to runanemployee-givingcampaign to supportUWM.“Wedon’t oftenget to seethedirectimpactofour work,” said Rachel Heinzwith CyncHealth.“But by partneringwithUWM, we cansee theimmediateeffectsof our donations throughprogramsthat are present and involvedin our ownneighborhoods.”

Relationshipsare trulythe heart and soulofUnited Way. Today we areproud to say we work withmore than 600 organizationsand 40,000donorswho believe in the work we doand theimpact we make.

If you’d like to jointhese individuals and get involved,go to UnitedWayMidlands.org/Donate

Since the TocquevilleSociety wasfirst founded in1987 by 12 charter members —Andyand MarianAndersen, The Buffett Foundation, Alan and Marcia Baer Foundation, RobertDaugherty, Mr andMrs.CharlesDurham,Charles M. Harper, AllanandAnnMactier, Carland JoyceMammel, Walter andSuzanneScott, RobertH. Storz,Billand Jan Strauss, Michael and Gail Yanney itsmembers have beenchampioningthe work of United Wayand encouraging others to dothesame

To date, morethan $120million in Tocquevilledonations have been investedinto our community Andthanks to theleadership of 2022 CampaignChairs Tim and TerriBurke, this year,UWM achieved403 Tocquevillemembers —surpassingMr. WarrenBuffett’s Tocqueville Membership Challenge for thethird yearina row! This means Mr.Buffett increasedhis generous match to 10%ofUWM’s total campaignand more money willbeinvestedinto the OmahaCouncilBluffs community.

SECTIONCONTRIBUTORS

Writers: Carmen Steele,LaurenKimball

GraphicDesigner: AndyMeza

Photographers: AndyMeza,Catherine Mischo, Katie Sharpe, KaLynn Wood

Additional contributors: Shawna Forsberg, TravisKlein,Dr. PamSchwalb, Krissy Suski,Laura Tatten,Matt Wallen, MaureenIrish,BekahNoxon, KaLynn Wood,MichaelBlue,LizChristensen, OBICreative

Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO of United Way of the Midlands, with Warren Buffett.

T8 •SUNDAY,APRIL23,2023 UnitedWayoftheMidlands OMAHAWORLD-HERALD

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GETINVOLVED

Volunteer

UnitedWayMidlands.org/Volunteer

Donate

UnitedWayMidlands.org/Donate

TocquevilleSociety

UnitedWayMidlands.org/Tocqueville

BridgebuildersSociety

UnitedWayMidlands.org/

Bridgebuilders

WomenUnited

UnitedWayMidlands.org/

WomenUnited

Emerging Leaders

UnitedWayMidlands.org/

EmergingLeaders

GET CONNECTED

@unitedwaymidlands

@UnitedWayMidlands

@UnitedWayOmaha

100-YEARCELEBRATION CONCERT

May18,2023|6–10 p.m.|Gene LeahyMall–DowntownOmaha

Featuringmusic by The TravisBandand TheShenanigans, facepainting,balloonartists,aphoto booth,amazinggiveaways,a communityvillagewithlocalnonprofits, foodtrucksandmore!

NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITYCELEBRATIONS

Comeoutwith yourneighbors, familyandfriendsandenjoy face paintingandcarnivalgames, aphotobooth,fungiveaways,musicalentertainment,a communityvillage featuringlocal nonprofitsandmore!Plus,thefirst250 attendeeswill receiveafreehotdoglunch.

June17,2023

11a.m.–2 p.m.

Hitchcock Park 4220Q Street,Omaha

June 24,2023

11a.m.–2 p.m.

Fontenelle Park 4402 FontenelleBlvd.,Omaha

BLUE COLLARBOXING

July15,2023

11a.m.–2 p.m.

River’s Edge Pavilion

4250River’s Edge Parkway, CouncilBluffs

July22,2023

10a.m.–1 p.m.

WernerBaseball Park

12356Ballpark Way, Papillion

November22,2023|LibertyFirstCreditUnionArena| 7300Q Street, Ralston

AllUWM celebrationactivitiesaremadepossiblethanks to ourincredible100-yearsponsors! Seethe completelistonpage2.

UnitedWayMidlands.org/100YearEvents