LIVING UNITED
2010, ISSUE III
AEP Ohio and United Way of Central Ohio Launch The AEP $1 Million Community Challenge for Basic Needs In an effort to raise awareness of the increased needs in our community and generate the contributions needed to help address them, AEP Ohio and United Way of Central Ohio have launched “The AEP $1 Million Community Challenge for Basic Needs.” AEP Ohio is generously donating $600,000 to United Way to help people who are struggling to meet their basic needs like housing and access to critical health care. As part of the 2010 United Way of Central Ohio annual campaign, AEP Ohio is challenging our community to raise an additional $400,000 through December 31, 2010.
The AEP $1 Million
“We are proud of the longstanding partnership we have with United Way of Central Ohio and support their efforts to build a stronger community,” said Joseph Hamrock, President and Chief Operating Officer, AEP Ohio, and United Way board member. “When we wanted to make a special gift to help ensure that basic needs in this community are met for every man, woman, and child, we turned to United Way. We knew that the programs United Way supports at its member agencies will make the most effective use of our investment.”
Community Challenge
for Basic needs
United Way and AEP will make a special outreach to corporate leaders and individual donors to contribute to the challenge fund, which will go to support agency programs that help people meet basic needs like emergency food, shelter and financial assistance. AEP Ohio’s $600,000 donation is part of its “Partnership with Ohio” fund which enables 49 United Ways and eleven foodbanks across Ohio to help people in need of food, healthcare and housing. Carl English, United Way of Central Ohio 2010 General Campaign Chair, and COO, American Electric Power, announced the challenge during the 19th Annual Community Care Day, the largest single volunteering event in central Ohio. People are encouraged to go to liveunitedcentralohio.org and donate online to the challenge fund.
United Way Board Approves 2010 Campaign Goal On September 28th, the United Way of Central Ohio Board of Trustees approved the 2010 campaign goal of $45,965,808 – a 5% increase ($2,148,015) over the 2009 campaign total. This is an aggressive but realistic campaign goal, and under the leadership of 2010 General Campaign Chair Carl English, the Board is confident that it can be achieved.
Carl English, United Way of Central Ohio 2010 General Campaign Chair, and COO, American Electric Power, announces the AEP Challenge at the Lutheran Social Services Champion Avenue Food Pantry on Community Care Day.
The United Way Board recognizes that the need for health and human services is greater than ever in our community, and that having a successful campaign–with the stretch goal they approved–is critical to United Way’s ability to increase support and services provided to those who need it the most. Central Ohio is a caring and philanthropic community, and Board members expressed confidence that together we can deliver the funding necessary to support critical programs in the areas of education, income, health and home and achieve our community’s Bold Goals.
President’s Update Earlier this year, United Way of Central Ohio was presented with a tremendous opportunity. United Way Worldwide was preparing a comprehensive effort to mobilize communities across the country on behalf of our work in the area of education, and was looking for local United Ways to lead the way. As a supporter of United Way of Central Ohio, you know we have a long history of championing and funding innovative education initiatives, and that two of our 10-Year Bold Goals are targeted at increasing high school graduation rates and preparing more young children for kindergarten. We applied and were selected to be one of only nine local United Way organizations from across the country to participate in this exciting mobilization effort. In the months since we have been preparing to mobilize our community in the area of education – especially around increasing high school graduation rates. United Way has been mobilizing the caring power of people for many years, and through our new efforts we will build on that legacy. We will become a more listening and learning organization. Our decision-making process depends on the experience and perspectives of a diverse group of volunteers. Many people sit around our table and work together to set our priorities, but we want to hear even more voices. To do that we have begun holding community conversations with small groups of engaged people across Franklin County. We have already held
15 conversations with 185 participants and gained important insights that will help shape our work in the future. We are also asking people to “Raise Your Hand for Education,” by making a pledge to support education efforts in our community. I encourage you to go to our website liveunitedcentralohio.org, take the pledge and raise your hand. And we are supporting a national United Way effort to use the new documentary on education in America, Waiting for “Superman,” as a catalyst for discussion and the exchange of ideas on this crucial subject. We know that no movie can tell the whole story of the state of education in our country, but the issues the film raises are ones we must face and work through together. Though we are beginning our mobilization efforts with education, I want you to know that the lessons we learn will improve every part of our organization. Listening, learning, mobilizing our community around education, income, health and home – these are the next steps in making your United Way the most effective agent of change we can be. Sincerely,
Janet E. Jackson President and CEO United Way of Central Ohio
United Way Named “Friend of Education” by Columbus Education Association United Way of Central Ohio was honored to receive this year’s The Friend of Education Award from Columbus Education Association. The award is given to an individual or group that has shown commitment and dedication to the educational mission of Columbus City Schools. “With the United Way’s Columbus Kids: Ready, Set, Learn initiative, preschoolers who live in our school district will be helped to get the intervention services they need,” said CEA President Rhonda Johnson. Janet Jackson accepts the Friend of Education award from CEA President Rhonda Johnson.
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LIVING UNITED
United Way of Central Ohio’s Women’s Leadership Council Announces the E3 - Educate, Empower, Elevate - Initiative On September 23rd, United Way of Central Ohio’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) announced its E3 initiative to help low- to moderate-income working women in central Ohio become educated, empowered and elevated to a new level of financial stability for themselves and their families. The WLC is a volunteer-driven group of 167 dedicated women who have built E3 from the ground up to help women meet basic needs, while collaborating with Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Godman Guild Association and New Directions Career Center. Three strategies will help the WLC reach its goal: supporting job attainment with a livable wage and benefits; enhancing financial stability by linking women to resources and benefits; and enhancing financial literacy.
EDUCATE • EMPOWER • ELEVATE
The E3 initiative includes approximately six months of intensive academic preparation work to enter college, and an apprenticeship program or vocational training for up to two years that leads to a living wage job. Once a woman has completed her post-secondary education or training, the WLC will provide assistance to help her acquire and maintain a job in her field. The E3 initiative is currently accepting fifteen women in its inaugural class beginning October 30, 2010 and another fifteen in January 2011. WLC members have an active voice in shaping the group and have the opportunity to share their skills and talents to support E3 in such ways as teaching classes, participating in education and employer panel discussions, conducting mock and informational interviews and acting as mentors. The WLC launched in October 2009 and has raised $167,000 towards E3. WLC membership is open to all women in the community who contribute $1,000 over their previous year’s gift to United Way of Central Ohio. To learn more about the WLC please call Dianne Biggs at 614-227-2734, or dianne.biggs@uwcentralohio.org, or go to liveunitedcentralohio.org/wlc.
United Way Calls on Everyone to “Raise Your Hand for Education” As part of United Way of Central Ohio’s efforts to mobilize our community around education, we are asking everyone to “Raise Your Hand for Education.” Do you believe in the power of education? Do you believe we all win when a child succeeds in school? Do you believe that parents and families, students, educators, businesses, community members and elected officials can make a difference for education and for young people?
If you answered “yes,” you are invited to join local elected officials, United Way Board members and a growing number of other engaged champions for education by signing the United Way pledge. Hold your hand up high and show your support! Go to at liveunitedcentralohio.org. and take the pledge. When you are there you can see a real-time count of the number of people who are raising their hands for education just like you.
United Way of Central Ohio Board members raise their hands for education.
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United Way of Central Ohio’s 19th Annual Community Care Day Brings Thousands Together to Strengthen Our Community United Way of Central Ohio brought together thousands of volunteers for its 19th annual Community Care Day, the largest single volunteering effort in central Ohio. 3,200 volunteers from more than 150 companies participated in 180 projects at local schools and United Way member agencies. This year, Community Care Day saved schools and agencies more than $350,000 in equivalent labor costs. Projects range from stocking food pantries and delivering meals to the homebound, to repairing and
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refurbishing school facilities in the Columbus City, Southwestern City, and Groveport Madison Local school districts.
Food Pantry. They helped stock food and assisted clients who came in to shop for nutritious packaged food and fresh produce.
Community Care Day is sponsored by Bob Evans Farms and the Kroger Company. Their generosity supports the efforts of the thousands of volunteers who are making a difference in central Ohio. In addition to their sponsorship, both Kroger and Bob Evans organize teams of volunteers. This year, Bob Evans volunteers helped out at the Lutheran Social Services Champion Avenue
Kroger volunteers spent the day at the Hoover Y where they built 43 picnic tables and 8 benches from scratch, built 300 feet of new fencing, stained an additional 2,000 feet of fence, painted facilities, and planted over 200 plants. The total savings to the Hoover Y was over $15,500. These activities are great examples of the savings Community Care Day volunteers provide for nonprofits.
LIVING UNITED
the largest single volunteering effort in central Ohio
LIVEUNITEDCENTRALOHIO.ORG
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LEADERSHIP
GIVING
United Way of Central Ohio’s Leadership Giving groups offer the opportunity for donors to learn more about how their contributions are helping improve lives in central Ohio, develop meaningful service projects and network with fellow donors.
Tocqueville Society sets Bold Goal for Increasing Membership The Tocqueville Committee held a kick-off meeting for its members on September 29, 2010. The committee is committed to engaging more donors at the Tocqueville level of $10,000 and above during the 2010 campaign. “The argument for giving is greater now for many reasons,” said Buzz Trafford, co-chair of the Tocqueville Committee. “The economy is a challenge and thus there is more need, but also United Way’s effort to really impact issues with our Bold Goals makes us a great choice for donors’ community investment.” Other members of the committee include: Kathleen Trafford (co-chair), David and Lee Paragas (co-chairs), Barbara Fergus, John Gilligan, Larry and Cindy Hilsheimer, Craig and Cathy Marshall, Sharron and Jordan Miller, Ron and Ann Pizzuti, and Rich and Roberta Terapak. The group has set some bold goals of its own with an aspirational goal of 50 new members in 2010. “We think the goal we’ve set is attainable,” said Lee Paragas. “This is a great community with many compassionate and caring individuals.”
Kathleen Trafford
Buzz Trafford
Lee Paragas
YLG Announces Educational Roundtable Series YLG is proud to announce the speakers for our 2010- 2011 Educational Roundtable Series. This quarterly event has always been a very popular networking and development opportunity for YLG members. This year’s speakers include Steve Rasmussen, CEO of Nationwide Insurance; Steve Steinour, CEO of Huntington; Bob James, CEO of Grange Insurance and Nancy Kramer, Founder and CEO of Resource Interactive. Steve Rasmussen will speak on October 12, 2010, and Steve Steinour will speak on February 10, 2011. Future event dates will be announced. This series is coordinated by the YLG Events Committee chaired by Steve Driver of Crowe Horwath.
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David Paragas
United Way Welcomes Denise Rehg On August 2nd, Denise Rehg joined United Way of Central Ohio as Senior AVP of Major Gifts and Leadership Giving. Denise came to United Way from Culture Works in Dayton, Ohio, where she had been President and CEO for the past six years. Denise is a seasoned fundraising professional with more than twelve years of fundraising and leadership experience. She has personally managed and led all major aspects of fundraising campaigns including individuals, annual giving, workplace campaigns, corporations and foundations. Under her leadership in this past year, Culture Works increased major giving by 20% and delivered a 98% retention rate for key donors in support of the arts community in Dayton. Welcome, Denise!
United Way Launches “Community Builders” United Way has launched a new recognition program called Community Builders for donors who give at a leadership level of $1,000 to $4,999 annually, but do not qualify to join an affinity group. Community Builders affirms the collective impact these gifts have in strengthening our community. To be recognized as a Community Builder, donors simply pledge $1,000 to $4,999, and mark “Community Builders” on their pledge card or electronic pledge form. Their organizations will be notified of the generous gift, and each Community Builder will receive a special thank you from United Way after the close of the annual campaign in March 2011.
LIVING UNITED
HEALTH
St. Vincent Family Centers: Therapeutic Pre-School Children who attend this program have either been expelled from their preschool setting or are at risk of expulsion due to severe behavioral, social and/or emotional challenges. St. Vincent Family Centers provide a comprehensive continuum of care in a therapeutic pre-school setting. Services include diagnostic assessment, individual and family therapy, and an evidence-based classroom curriculum. Columbus City Schools provides two special needs units within the program to ensure more unified service delivery. The children in those units each have Individualized Education Plans and receive special services including occupational, speech and physical therapies. The program will serve 195 children in 2010.
Columbus AIDS Task Force: Integrated Referral and Case Management Program Columbus AIDS Task Force provides medical case management to ensure that low-income individuals living with HIV receive proper medical care. Once enrolled in case management, highly trained social workers engage low-income clients in developing client-centered service plans to address the needs of each individual. Eligible clients receive assistance in accessing medications, achieving medical adherence, accessing HIV and primary medical care, learning how to manage their lives with HIV successfully, and preventing the spread of HIV to others. The program serves more than 800 people.
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INCOME
EDUCATION
Program Spotlight
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United Way
United Way of Central Ohio funds 166 programs at 78 member agencies. Each of these programs has gone through a rigorous review process by experienced and diverse groups of volunteers to ensure only the most effective ones are funded. Each program meets a community need as part of our interconnected work in the areas of Education, Income, Health and Home.
Salvation Army: Bridging the Gap Food and Financial Assistance Bridging the Gap provides food, financial assistance and community linkage to low-income people in Franklin County who are experiencing a short-term crisis that threatens their basic survival. People experiencing a crisis contact a caseworker who assesses need and sets an appointment. At the appointment, the caseworker provides immediate assistance in the form of food, utility assistance for Columbia Gas and AEP bills, rent assistance, vouchers for clothing or furniture and linkage to other community resources. The program serves more than 14,000 people.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus: Habitat ReBuild Programs The Habitat for Humanity ReBuild program is a housing rehab program designed to increase the supply of safe and decent housing in low-income neighborhoods, address the issue of foreclosed and abandoned homes in our community, and enable more low-income families to make the transition from substandard rental housing to affordable homeownership. Vacant homes are rehabbed by Habitat volunteers and sold to qualified low-income families with a zero-interest, no-profit mortgage. With the ability to both rehab vacant homes and build new homes on in-fill lots, the program significantly increases Habitat for Humanity’s impact in priority lowincome neighborhoods. This program will rehabilitate 3 houses in 2010.
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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 99 Columbus, OH 360 South Third Street Columbus, Ohio 43215-5485
LIVING UNITED Generous Support Leads to Enhanced Loaned Executive Development Program With the help of four sponsors and two benefactors, United Way has enhanced its Loaned Executive Development Program to help 13 Loaned Executives develop their professional and leadership skills, while helping United Way raise funds for our annual campaign. This year, the Loaned Executive Development Program received support from AEP, Alliance Data, UPS, and Nationwide. Limited Brands and Fifth Third Bank were program benefactors. Limited Brands made an in-kind gift of $5,000 and Fifth Third Bank provided one full-time employee. Contributions from the corporate sponsors allows United Way to hire Loaned Executives. Through the generous support of the sponsors and benefactors, United Way was also able to enhance the program by providing additional recognition opportunities for sponsors and the Loaned Executives, including marketing opportunities and a graduation reception. Limited Brands’ in-kind gift enhanced the Loaned Executive training process, which included three training sessions for Loaned
Executives to enhance their skills to further prepare for their new roles. The Loaned Executive Development Program provides an unique opportunity for members of our corporate partners’ staff and individuals within our community to obtain leadership opportunities, transferable skills, and intensive training while serving the central Ohio community. Loaned Executives serve as the representatives of United Way in hundreds of workplaces throughout central Ohio while gaining skills that will be an asset to their professional growth and their organizations. This year’s Loaned Executives are: Eileen Bainter, Wayne Benson, Alan Brown, Tony Burns, Aaliyah Fauntleroy, Dan Gonce, Dawn Jeffries, Nancy Keller, Julia Lee, Bill Morrisey, Darbe Perkins, Tim Ryan, and Tamela Walker. To learn more about the Loaned Executive Development Program and how your company can participate please contact Ciana Brown at 614-227-2768, or ciana.brown@uwcentralohio.org.