"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.” 
―  Elizabeth Andrew
February might be a short month, but there is plenty going on here at United Way of Muscatine. This month, we have teams of community volunteers touring agencies, listening to presentations, and reviewing grant applications to decide how the money we raise is allocated. It’s an important process that makes sure that the money we raise locally is granted to local programs based on the decisions of local people. We are happy to have such a dedicated group of volunteers.

Also this month, our board of directors has been hard at work making sure that we continue to have the biggest positive impact on the community that we can. Part of this process has involved refreshing our mission and focus. You’ll read more about that in the coming months. I’m grateful to have such a fantastic board that is always focused on improving the community.

If you read the newsletter regularly then you know that the Imagination Library provides free books by mail every month to children up to their 5 th  birthday. Your donations can help to support this important literacy program. It only costs $25 to sponsor books for a child for one year. Contact us if you’d like to get involved.

Thank you for reading!
Shane Orr
Executive Director
Upcoming Events
February 1-28
Multiple February Dates
February 16th, 12-1pm
February 17th, 5pm-??
Save the Date!
April 13th, 7-9 am
April 30th, 11 am-1 pm
Pearl Pub Party
June 10th, 3-6 pm
United Way Data
Muscatine Data
Households Utilizing DHS - 2,881
US Unemployment Rate - 4.1%
Iowa Unemployment Rate - 3.0%
Muscatine Unemployment Rate - 2.6%
Did You Know?

United Way's (then called the United Fund of Muscatine) first campaign gave $62,791.88 to support 11 agencies.
Partner Program - LSI
LSI’s Mission
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service.
 
What Does LSI Do?
LSI is one of Iowa’s largest nonprofit human services agencies. Our heart beats for the people we serve. We empower families and communities by recognizing and honoring the strengths and gifts of every individual.
 
LSI is made up of more than 1,000 expert human service workers and we lift up hundreds of Iowans each year. LSI strengthens Iowa children, adults, and families through a variety of programs, including:
           - Behavioral and mental health services
           - Services for Iowans with disabilities
           - Foster parent recruitment and retention
           - Refugee education and work readiness programming
           - Residential treatment services for Iowa children and youth
           - Early childhood parent education
 
LSI by the Numbers
In the last year, LSI has provided:
           - 361,440 hours empowering Iowans with disabilities
           - 15,430 home visits for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
           - 10,302 therapy sessions for children, families, and adults
 
What are LSI’s Early Childhood Services?
Our Early Childhood Services are all about building up healthy Iowa families, preventing child abuse, and creating stronger communities and support networks for parents. In Muscatine County, LSI educates and empowers parents through our HOPES program. We walk alongside parents of young children by providing regular in-home visits to answer parenting questions, share information, and ensure families are raising their children in happy, healthy homes.
 
Early Childhood Services by the Numbers
           - More than 600 families participated in Early Childhood
Services in 2017
           - 91.5 percent of families using Early Childhood Services
in 2017 maintained or improved communication and
problem-solving in their homes
            - 97.4 percent of all children in Early Childhood Services in
2017 remained free from abuse 
 
Contact LSI
2107 Cedar Street, Muscatine, IA 52761
563.263.5170
www.LSIowa.org 
Spotlight
Don't forget about the preschool transportation program when you sign your child up for the fall!
Career Mentoring Program

Aligned Impact Muscatine's Adult Education and Training strategy group has been hard at work designing a pilot Career Mentoring program. We are currently recruiting passionate volunteers to help us get this program off the ground. This program is ...

Read more
alignedimpactmuscatine.org
Meet our Patient Service Representative Team

Trinity Muscatine Public Health (TMPH) receives local, state and federal funding that allows TMPH to improve our community’s health by providing essential Public Health Services.
 
When arriving at TMPH our Patient Service Representatives (PSR’s) have the honor be the first face to greet the people we serve.  They strive to provide excellence from the moment a patient walks in the door to the completion of their appointment.  
(Pictured Left to Right: Holly Barrett, Leticia Gonzalez, Vanessa Leza)
 
Holly Barrett has provided leadership and support to our PSR team since April 2016. “From my perspective, the PSRs are pivotal to the patient experience. From working to schedule patients to meet their needs to ensuring the paperwork is managed to provide a smooth experience. Even greater is the work the PSRs put in after the patient has completed their visit with vast necessary business support, such as reports, data system entry, patient follow up questions, reschedules, and many other projects that our grantors and business operations require. I feel privileged to assist and ensure the PSR’s continue to become more efficient and recognize improvements to continuously enhance our patient’s experience.

Leticia Gonzales-Aguirre has provided 12-½ years of service as a Patient Service Representative/Interpreter (PSR) at Trinity Muscatine Public Health.  Leticia provides bi-lingual services to meet the needs of our patients who are Spanish and English speaking. She states “As the first point of contact with a patient entering the building I am able to explain the various programs that we offer and how they could qualify for financial assistance.  I enjoy working as a team with my co-workers to better serve our patients. We serve them by providing information regarding financial assistance and registering them for services.”
 
Vanessa Leza has provided one year of service as a PSR. Vanessa assists patients in scheduling services they need to ensure a positive experience and outcome. Vanessa expresses “It’s a good feeling to know that when you walk into our clinic Focus Values are practiced to ensure our patients receive optimum care.”


Trinity Muscatine Public Health
1609 Cedar St.
Muscatine, IA 52761
(563)263-0122
Imagination Library Spotlight - Nitzel Family

What book are you reading right now?
My 1 year old daughter Leona is reading the book about the all kinds of bugs. 

What do you/ your child like about the book?
It has close up pictures & she really enjoys them. 

What is your favorite book that you have received through Imagination Library? And why?   
My daughter really loves the first book you sent; The Little Engine That could. She loves when I read it to her. 
What do you like most about reading with your child/children?  
I love how much my daughter gets excited as I turn each page & keep reading. 

Would you recommend Imagination Library? If so, why?
Yes I definitely would recommend it because it's such an awesome program for children who love to read & it teaches the little ones things they need to know. 

How has Imagination Library helped grow your home library?
We have quite the selection of books now. 

Anything else you would like to share?  
No, just want to say thank you for the books. We appreciate them!

Thank you to the Nitzel family for sharing. For more information about Imagination Library, or to share your story, please contact Lori Dietrich at lori@unitedwaymuscatine.org .

To register for Imagination Library online, please visit our website .
Upcoming Events
Volunteering
For details and to sign up click HERE!
He was asked to spend his time volunteering for Kids First. He was more than willing to help out at the pancake breakfast, and as you can see, he brought along Dr. Riibe, Superintendent Of MCSD, to help! Thank you everyone for your support!
Mike McGrory, Assistant Superintendent of Muscatine Community School District, was one of our board members willing to auction off 2 hours of volunteer time at our Business After Hours in December.
Community Events
Kids in the Kitchen
Nichole spent some time teaching kids about healthy snacks after school at Grant Elementary. “Kids in the Kitchen” is an after school program once a week to teach kids about healthy eating and teaching them some foods they can make on their own. That day, the kids made their own trail mix, and also made their own menus for a week.
Kids First Pancake Breakfast
Our first pancake breakfast of 2018 was a success! Thank you to all who came to support the Kids First Program!
United Ways of Iowa Day on the Hill
Shane attended United Ways of Iowa Day on the Hill. United Ways across the state of Iowa had the opportunity to talk with Iowa's Governor Reynolds about the great work United Ways in Iowa do!
Muscatine and Louisa County Veterans and immediate family are invited to attend a veterans appreciation meal on February 25 from 1-3 at the Army National Guard Armory in Muscatine. Along with the meal from Guy and a Grill, there will be representatives from the Iowa City VA and local service officers on hand to answer questions. 

Muscatine and Louisa County Veterans Affairs are also proud to announce that the Remembering Our Fallen memorial wall will be present at the event and through March 2. 

For more information on the wall please visit  www.rememberingourfallen.org