August 2018
Financial Coaching Pilot Shows Impressive Early Results

Did you know that over 60% of Americans do not have enough savings on hand to cover a $500 emergency? Only two of every five of us report creating a budget and sticking to it. These alarming statistics led United Way of Monroe County and its Financial Stability Alliance to pilot a free financial coaching program earlier this year through a partnership with Apprisen. Six months into the program, the eighteen participants have already increased their savings by an average of $333 and paid off an average of $946 in debt. 

Congrats to Our Member Agencies!

 
A special thanks to the volunteers who have worked diligently this year to ensure that all United Way member agencies continue creating and sustaining solutions to the most pressing issues our community faces.
 
Meet Mark Rogers: Real Men Read MENtor

It's back-to-school season and for Real Men Read volunteer MENtors like Mark Rogers, that means a return to the classroom, also. Mark, President and CEO of the Owen County Community Foundation, has been a volunteer with United Way's Real Men Read program in Spencer-Owen Elementary School since its inception.
             
"Knowing the family situations for many of the kids, there’s a lot of poverty and home life can be tough. I like the idea of role models and especially being a part of that educational process for them," Rogers explained.
 
Over $2.9 Million in Tax Refunds to Local Families

Local residents in Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties who participated in the 2018 Free Community Tax Service program filed 2,824 tax returns at no charge and received more than $2.9 million in federal and state tax refunds and credits — a 70% increase over last year.

Free one-on-one tax preparation was provided by 135 IRS-certified volunteers to low- and moderate-income households at 10 sites — including a new full-service Spanish language site — saving clients up to $1,290,568 in tax preparation fees.

Tickets Now Available for The Talent Show!

J oin United Way of Monroe County and our truly talented member agencies serving Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties for The Talent Show! A Showcase of Talents Hidden within United Way Member Agencies .

When: Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Where: Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington


Visit the Facebook event page for the most up-to-date announcements.
United We Fight. United We Win.

Each fall, United Way of Monroe County partners with local businesses and organizations to raise funds that will help our community win. This annual campaign provides support as United Way and our  member agencies work toward specific community goals in the areas of Education, Earnings, and Essentials. By focusing on these three building blocks for a better life,  United Way creates sustainable solutions  to the most pressing issues in our community.

This year's campaign kicks off in late September. Keep an eye out for matching funds opportunities! If your business or organization would like to participate or host a speaker, contact Efrat Feferman at efrat@monroeunitedway.org .
Welcome New Board Members

United Way recently welcomed several new Board of Director members (pictured clockwise from upper left) :

  • Anne Bono, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
  • Derek Fields, IU Health
  • Kirsten Grønbjerg, Indiana University
  • Jerry Sutherlin, Southern Indiana Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO
  • Adam Wason, City of Bloomington

Additional congratulations to Jake Bruner of Hoosier Hills Food Bank, who is serving as the 2018 member agency representative, and to David Johnson of Indiana University, who recently was elected Board President. As we welcome these new board members, we also send our thanks to Wendy Hernandez with IU Health and Kate Gagnon with Indiana University for their service as they step off of the board.
Annual Report to the Community Released

This past year was one of transition for us. But that transition did not slow down our member agencies or us. We recently released our annual Report to the Community taking a look back at the past year, looking forward to the coming year, and highlighting the impact of our donors.

As our executive director, Efrat Feferman, notes in the report "In these pages, numbers and stories combine to help demonstrate the impact we make when we work together — when we Live United. Whether you Give, Advocate, or Volunteer (or maybe all three!), you play a key role in directly improving people’s lives and, for that, we are ever grateful."

Events Calendar

August 25 / 10am – 1pm

August 26 / 2 - 4pm
Monroe County Courthouse

Oct. 2nd / 7pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Sept. 18-19 / 9am - 4pm
Monroe Convention Center
United Way is a proud sponsor
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.
United Way of Monroe County
441 S College Ave
Bloomington, IN 47403
812-334-8370 // info@monroeunitedway.org
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