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United Way of
Dubuque Area Tri-States |
Winter Volunteer News
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 90th Year Ribbon Cutting
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On October 11, we celebrated our 90th year at United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States with a ribbon cutting.
The Dubuque Chamber of Commerce led the ceremony and presented Danielle Peterson, CEO with a certificate before cutting the ribbon outside of our Dubuque office.
Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, funded partners, and community members were in attendance. It was a wonderful night celebrating our impact on the Dubuque community over the past 90 years.
In honor of our 90th year serving the community, one strategy to reach our $1.625M fundraising goal is to reach 90 new or improved campaigns. So far we have reached 56 of our 90! If you are interested in having a United Way workplace campaign or need assistance with this goal for your workplace, please reach out to
admin@dbqunitedway.org. To see our current list of United for 90 campaigns click
here.
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John Deere
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John Deere Dubuque Works Employees kicked off their workplace campaign during November.
As part of their campaign, they ran lunch time raffles on two Thursdays during the month of November. Fifty percent of the profits from these raffles were donated to United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States.
Also during November, John Deere employees took time out of their day to tour and learn more about the services that, our Funded Partners, Hillcrest Family Services & Dubuque Area Labor Harvest, provide in our community.
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United Way participated in and assisted in finding volunteers for Operation: New View Community Action Agency annual Holiday Helpers program to assist families in need during the holiday season. Almost 40 volunteers donated roughly 100 hours assisting in delivering, setting up shop, being a shopping buddy, and cleaning up at the end of the day.
Over 110 local families, which included 330 children, were provided with assistance this holiday season!
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On October 13, people from around the Tri-State area gathered to
thank our community's Veterans and military families for their service and to showcase federal, state, and local programs and services specially geared toward Veterans' issues
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The key note speaker this year was Bryan Anderson.
In October 2005, Bryan was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that resulted in the loss of both legs and his left hand. As a result of his injuries, he was awarded a Purple Heart.
After the speaker, attendees were invited to browse booths from over 100 state and local organizations with programs for Veterans and their families. Attendees were also able to see the Iowa Memorial Wall from Patriotic Productions.
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Dubuque Area "Stand Down" Event
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On October 4th, the
Dubuque Area "Stand Down" to end homelessness event was held at the Dubuque Boys and Girls Club.
ALL veterans and individuals who do not have a permanent or stable residence were invited to attend.
The Stand Down event provided a safe, welcoming environment where individuals were able to meet with community based organizations that provide services to remove the obstacles and barriers that keep people homeless. They were also provided a meal and had the opportunity to receive a hair cut.
United Way participated in the event and also recruited volunteers for the event. Planning for the next annual Stand Down event will start soon, so keep your eyes open for more information!
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Alliant CU Volunteer Projects at Almost Home
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On October 8th, employees from Alliant Credit Union in Dubuque spent their Columbus Day off volunteering at Almost Home, another United Way Funded Partner.
The volunteers spent time painting rooms, organizing the clothes closet, and cleaning the shelter.
Thank you!
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DBQ on the Move Employer Wellness Forum
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United Way participated in and assisted in finding volunteers for the Employer Wellness Forum for Dubuque On The Move.
12 volunteers provided 75 hours of donated time for the event.
Around 90 employees and employers attended the Dubuque On The Move Employer Wellness Forum to learn about creating a culture of wellness in their workplace.
To learn more about Dubuque On The Move check out their Facebook page at by clicking
here
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Upcoming Events
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MLK DAY
Local college students will be completing service projects during the month of January to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day which is on January 21, 2019.
- Emmaus Bible College students will be making tie blankets that will be distributed to local agencies.
- Loras College students will be volunteering their time to complete projects at Almost Home.
- Clarke University students plan to do a project with Dubuque Rescue Mission.
- University of Dubuque students are doing tours of United Way Funded Partners focusing on health, education and income and building hygiene bags for the Homeless Point in Time Count that occurs twice a year.
Below are pictures of college students volunteering last year!
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Getting to Know Your Community
This upcoming January, the University of Dubuque will offer a J-Term class entitled "Beyond College." This is a course that focuses on professional skill building/development, and is currently required by 11 majors. As part of the class, students will be touring UW Funded Partners that lie within each of the three pillars; health, education, and income. Students will be able to bring their experiences back to participate in a class discussion about what they learned throughout their time spent immersed in their community.
During the first week, students will be splitting up to tour Health Funded Partners which include Boys & Girls Club and Catholic Charities. The second week they will visit Education Funded Partners including Mentor Dubuque, St. Mark Youth Enrichment and Dubuque Area Labor Management Council.
During the final week of their course, students will tour Income Funded Partners (Almost Home, Dubuque VNA & ECIA). Finally, they will take part in a volunteer project to pack Point-in-Time Count Bags that will be distributed to the homeless population when the count takes place.
United Way loves working with area colleges to engage students in great learning opportunities!
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VITA
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The EITC is designed to "make work pay" by supplementing low-wage work with additional income. The intention is to move a family with a full-time low-income worker above the poverty line. The goal is to benefit both the worker and any children and dependents that may rely on their limited income. The EITC was created in 1975, in part to offset the burden of increased social security payroll taxes on low-wage workers.
Operation: New View and AARP provide sites and services to prepare taxes for families and individuals who are eligible for EITC. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and United Way support VITA efforts by assisting with marketing and gathering volunteers.
Volunteer opportunities are coming up for those who are interested! Keep your eyes open for this training and opportunity!
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Read Across America
T
his volunteer opportunity will be coming up in
March 2019.
Our Women United group will be recruiting volunteers to read to local students so keep your eye out for more information!
Below are pictures from last year's event.
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Volunteer Management Tip!
Set up your Get Connected agency profile and
keep your volunteer needs and events updated
so volunteers can find you easily. Use key words
so your opportunity is easy for volunteers to find.
United Way is very pleased to offer Get Connected, which
is generously funded by the Volunteer Generation Fund,
as the latest way we give our neighbors the opportunity to care
for one another. We sincerely hope you enjoy using Get
Connected to give back! At this time we have over 3,500
volunteers registered on the site and over 100 non-profits
that are updating their volunteer needs daily.
LIVE UNITED
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UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
LET US SHOWCASE YOURS IN THE FUTURE
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2019 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Operation: New View is a local non-profit Community Action Agency with locations in Dubuque, Delaware and Jackson counties. Community Action comes out of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty and from the advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the network of locally-funded agencies serving low-income populations.
Every year , AARP Tax-Aide helps millions of low- to moderate-income taxpayers get the credits and deductions they deserve. Tax-Aide in Dubuque has been operating for 30 years.
Both organizations are looking for assistance during the tax season coming up in 2019. They are looking for individuals for Dubuque, Delaware and Jackson Counties to assist in the following ways:
Site Coordinator
Tax Preparer
Tax Greeter
Quality Reviewer
Client Facilitator
To check out more details please click the link below.
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Disaster Action Team Volunteer, Pillowcase Project Presenter
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
The American Red Cross has five lines of service: Disaster Relief; Health & Safety Classes; Services to Armed Forces; International Services and Blood & Blood Products.
Disaster Action Team members are trained Red Cross volunteers that deliver our mission by alleviating human suffering caused by disasters.
The Pillowcase Project is a free interactive preparedness program designed for youth ages 8 to 11. The program aims to increase awareness and understanding of natural hazards, teach safety and emotional coping skills, as well as the importance of personal preparedness. Students learn the best ways to stay safe during disasters and how to create their own emergency supply kits, using a pillowcase.
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Investment Review Panelists
United Way goes beyond temporary fixes to create lasting change that lifts up entire communities.
United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States impacts the communities we serve in the areas of EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH. When we LIVE UNITED through volunteering, advocacy and giving, the tri-state area is a better place for everyone. We may all be different, but together we can LIVE UNITED to create positive and long-lasting change in the tri-states.
We are recruiting those interested in assisting with reviewing grants and reports for our Funded Partners and participating in Funded Partner Visits.
Reports are reviewed every 6 months and grant cycles will be done every 2 years.
Funded Partner visits are being done every other month at this time with our current Funded Partners to learn more about their program and impact in the community.
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| "We rise by lifting others." Robert Ingersoll |
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United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States 215 W 6th St, Dubuque, IA 52001
©United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States. All Rights Reserved
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