Finding affordable and reliable high-quality after-school care is a struggle for many parents and Jamie's parents are no different. They want to know their kids are safe and happy while they are at work, but childcare can be very expensive.
Luckily, Jamie's parents heard about the services offered at United Way member agencies Girls Inc. and Boys & Girls Clubs. Jamie and his sister love the fun games, tutoring, and variety of programs that help them grow their physical and mental abilities. Boys and Girls Clubs and Girls Inc. coordinate bus schedules so Jamie and his sister can get to their after-school programs safely and their parents can stay at work. As Jamie and his sister get older, they may also go to member agency Rhino's Youth Center to learn how to produce videos, publish online, or turn their interests into a business. Several of Jamie's friends end the school day by meeting up with their Big Brother or Big Sister.
Jamie and his sister enjoy talking with their parents about all the fun they have after-school. Programs provided by United Way funded agencies provide opportunities for youth while helping parents maintain stable employment. A donation of $5 per week provides
an at-risk child, like Jamie, with after-school care and one-on-one tutoring to help him on the path to success.
"There aren't a whole lot of people who would say that they love preparing taxes. Many local families find it difficult and confusing to prepare their own taxes, and too expensive to have others prepare taxes for them." That's where the
Free Community Tax Service and volunteers like Brock Goggins jump into action.
As a new resident to Bloomington, Brock, a Regional Senior Vice President, Retail Banking at German American Bank, looked forward to getting involved with his community. "It seems like everyone I've met in this community is very generous with their time and resources." He spoke with colleagues about his previous volunteer experience at a similar free tax program, and shortly afterwards a group of co-workers eagerly contacted United Way about the Free Community Tax Service.
After many hours of training, studying, and testing, Brock became an IRS-certified tax preparer. As a volunteer at the South Central Community Action Program tax site, Brock relayed, "For low income families to have their taxes prepared by highly trained and certified individuals provides peace of mind while saving them money. I've seen numerous clients come to tears when discussing the impact that this program makes for their family. Just last week, one individual literally jumped out of her chair in excitement because she was getting a large enough return to fix her car (which will help her have a more reliable means of transportation to get to work everyday). Now that is community impact!"
"Vectren has a very strong belief in supporting our communities and is very committed to do so. By contributing to United Way, we believe that we are able to make a positive impact in our communities by supporting agencies that assists in community development, education, and energy conservation and stewardship.
I am proud to be a part of Vectren and the Bloomington Operations Center team. Due to our corporate culture and the dedication of our local employees, we have been very successful in our partnership with United Way."
-- Jeremy Myers, Operations Supervisor, Vectren Energy Delivery
Our annual campaign is in the home stretch and we need you to join in empowering your community! All contributions go to United Way and our 25 member agencies to help people who live here learn more, earn more, and lead safer and healthier lives.
Thanks to our generous donors who so far have contributed $1,174,594! Every dollar donated will help ensure we are able to meet our community's greatest needs throughout 2017.
Thanks to these organizations and their active commitment to changing lives right here in south central Indiana:
IU Credit Union
IU Credit Union is creating a better community with team contributions of $19,132 and a $20,000 corporate gift.
BKD
BKD employees increased the bottom line by 37% over last year and raised an impressive $7,165.
Community Kitchen
Staff at Community Kitchen, a United Way member agency, is serving up a brighter future with $2,652 in contributions.
Interested in having a campaign at your workplace? It's not too late! Find out how to start empowering your community. Contact our Resource Development Director Sarah Taylor by email or give her a call at (812) 334-8370 ext 13.
Thanks to our Real Men Read Sponsors
Thanks to our 2016-2017 Real Men Read sponsors for bringing MENtors and books into the learning lives of kindergartners. This United Way early-literacy program matches adult male readers with kindergarten classrooms in Richland-Bean Blossom and Spencer-Owen Community School systems.
Sponsors will provide 2,400 books to 400 kindergartners as well as training and support for the 17 mentors
who inspire them to read more and learn more.
The support of Boston Scientific, Duke Energy, IU Credit Union, Smithville Fiber, and the Owen County Community Foundation bring MENtors and books into kindergarten classrooms in five local schools.
United Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves people's lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through our Community Action Fund, Priority Funds, and grant initiatives, we work with 25 member agencies and other community partners to focus resources on the building blocks for a better life: education, earnings, and the essentials.
441 S. College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403
| (812) 334-8370
