The mission of Lenawee United Way is
to mobilize community resources to
create a measurably better life for the
people of Lenawee County.
Lenawee United Way
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Community Impact is . . .
Mobilizing
communities
to
create lasting
changes in
community
conditions
that
improve lives
Definition of Community Impact:
Improving lives by mobilizing communities to create
lasting changes in community conditions.
Lenawee United Way
“Cultivate the root.
The leaves and branches will
take care of themselves.”
-Confucius
Lenawee United Way
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What Does “Getting Focused” Look Like?
Priority Area
Goal
Objective
Strategy
Investments of
time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources
Lenawee United Way
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Our Goals Over Next 10 Years:
EducationTo cut in half the
number of high
school dropouts in
half
IncomeTo cut in half the
number of lowerincome families who
are financially
unstable
HealthTo increase by onethird the number of
youth and adults who
are healthy and avoid
risky behaviors
How We’re Working Towards Them:
Funding
Lenawee United Way
Collaboration
Programs
Our Programs
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Myth Buster #1
How much of my donation goes to serving those in need?
99% of your investment stays in Lenawee County. The
other 1% is membership dues paid to United Way Worldwide
for the use of the brand, market research, and training
events. Lenawee United Way’s overhead is 14%, which
meets national United Way Worldwide standards and
compares favorably with other local non-profit health and
human service organizations.
Lenawee United Way
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Myth Buster #2
My investment doesn’t go where it’s needed most.
Lenawee United Way awards grants to address the greatest
needs of the most vulnerable persons in our community.
Community volunteers decide where your investment is most
needed. These teams of volunteers review and evaluate
each program application and decide upon the level of
funding to award each program. In addition, United Way has
its own annual audit conducted by an outside accounting firm
to make certain the donor gifts are used properly.
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Myth Buster #3
My investment doesn’t go where I want it to.
Your donation is invested in the Community Impact Fund
which supports our partner programs. If you prefer, gifts of
$100 or more, may be designated to a specific non-profit
health and human service agency (7% administrative fee will
be applied). Your designation to a specific non-profit agency
does not effect the amount of money that partner agencies
are awarded from the Lenawee United Way Community
Impact Fund.
Lenawee United Way
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Myth Buster #4
Does United Way support church-related activities?
United Way funds agencies that offer a wide range of
services including some that are affiliated with local
churches. However, these programs are supported because
they meet a critical community need. United Way funds only
the health and human service programs, not the religious
activities.
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Myth Buster #5
Who decides which programs you fund?
Knowledgeable, well-trained volunteers from across our
community - people like you - carefully screen and select the
programs funded by your United Way contribution. After
selection, these programs are closely monitored to make
sure they produce positive, measurable results.
Our United Way staff facilitates this unique process but does
NOT determine which programs are funded; the process is
entirely community-driven.
Lenawee United Way
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Myth Buster #6
Why give to United Way instead of a specific agency?
An investment to the United Way will assure the availability
of an entire network of human services. For example, a
homeless family needs food, clothing, and shelter. If you
give to a specific agency you can make this happen. But,
what if the family also needs job training, daycare, and
counseling to leave the shelter? No one agency can meet all
the needs of this family. United Way makes sure all these
services are available, from the temporary bed to the longterm solution.
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Myth Buster #7
I don’t have a lot to give, can I make an impact?
YES you can! No matter how much you choose to invest,
you will be helping to improve the lives of families in
Lenawee County. Your investment is joined by many others
to support a network of programs and partnerships that
produces outcomes.
Lenawee United Way
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2012-2014 Funded Programs
Education
Adrian Community Preschool – Kindergarten Preparation
Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee – Project Learn
Communities and Schools of Lenawee – Integrated Student Support
Communities and Schools of Tecumseh – Total Quality System
Goodwill Industries – Youth Start
LISD – Lenawee’s CHILD
Income
Childcare Network – Family Support
Community Action Agency – Complete Approach to Self-Sufficiency & CASS Mini IDA
Goodwill Industries – Workers on Wheels
Habitat for Humanity – Home Ownership
Housing Help of Lenawee – Housing First
Health
Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee – Triple Play
Catholic Charities – Clinical Counseling Voucher Program
Family Counseling & Children’s Services – Clinical Counseling Voucher Program
Family Medical Center – Improved Access to Medical Services
HOPE Community Center – The Wellness Club
Legal Services of South Central MI – Domestic Violence Prevention
Salvation Army – Fresh Food Initiative
YMCA of Lenawee – Y Jump Start to PLAY
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