Share your ideas and input!
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Happy Spring! Seen Our Survey?
While many of us cherish winter with its peaceful snowy days and beloved rituals, I think I also speak for many of us in openly welcoming spring and the burst of collective energy it brings.
You may have recently noticed a survey in your inbox. This survey, along with other sources of data, are part of our strategic planning process, now underway. As we look at our community, and the horizon, which critical needs do you think we can best impact when we unite our efforts?
Please take a moment to share your thoughts, and if you have more to share, let’s meet soon! Contact me at efrat@monroeunitedway.org or (812) 334-8370 x15 to schedule something at your convenience.
Your input is appreciated and needed so that United Way and our partners can assure that our priorities in the years to come are truly our shared ones. Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness.
Happy Spring!
Efrat
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New speaker series, Wake Up with United Way, launches April 11!
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Wake Up with United Way!
Join us the second Thursday each month for breakfast, networking, and an enlightening presentation and discussion of timely topics. Deepen your awareness about issues that directly or indirectly affect everyone in our area: homelessness; innovative treatments for substance use disorder; the intersection of housing and poverty; raising children in the 21st century; and disabilities in the workplace, among others.
On April 11th, the topic, "Homelessness in Bloomington,” will be examined by the Rev. Forrest Gilmore of Shalom Community Center, Emily Pike of New Hope for Families, and a member of the community personally impacted by homelessness.
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Laura Walter is in her fourth year of serving with United Way's Free Community Tax Service
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Meet Laura Walter: Tax Hero
“I think my favorite part is experiencing the client’s relief at the end of the day,” says Laura Walter of her volunteer work as Tax Hero with the Free Community Tax Service. What began as a personal curiosity about learning to prepare her own taxes has become an annual commitment to helping those in the community who need help the most get their maximum refund.
“Most people who come in are nervous or they don’t know what they need to do to fill out the return,” she goes on to explain. “Through the process you can see that there are a lot of people who are just happy to have that over with for the year.”
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Hoosier Hills Food Bank purchased an additional 30,000 pounds of food for people affected by the government shutdown.
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Stepping Up to Help Families Affected by Government Shutdown
One out of every five children in our region experiences food insecurity, and unexpected financial shocks can deeply affect a struggling family. Thanks to your year-round support, local agencies strive to be ready in the wake of unexpected emergencies to ensure local families have access to services.
An example of this is member agency Hoosier Hills Food Bank purchasing and distributing 30,000 pounds of additional food to help take care of struggling families and people visiting pantry and hunger programs in six local counties who were affected by the recent government shutdown. Funding support came from Feeding America, United Way of Monroe County, and United Way Worldwide.
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Campaign Highlights
As United Way concludes its annual campaign, we are extending thanks to all the workplaces and donors who stood up to fight for your community.
- Our friends at IU Health Bloomington Hospital raised $21,592 to make sure everyone in our community has access to education, earnings, and the essentials
- Hoosier Energy employees pulled out all the stops – including a chili cook-off -- to raise $5,796 and help those in need.
- The dedicated members of the South Central Indiana Kiwanis Club generously donated $2,000 to support local people.
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Representative Trey Hollingsworth visits with (left to right) Marilyn Wood, Efrat Feferman, and Elizabeth Gray
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Rep. Hollingsworth Visits Free Community Tax Service
Recently, Representative Trey Hollingsworth got to see the Free Community Tax Service first-hand when he met with United Way Executive Director, Efrat Feferman, and Monroe County Public Library Director, Marilyn Wood, at the site hosted in the main library.
“Thank you,” said Representative Hollingsworth in a statement after the meeting, “to all of the volunteers who help almost 3,000 families with their taxes each year.” This IRS-funded volunteer-powered program last year brought back more than $2.9 million in refunds and tax credits to community members.
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Stop by May 2nd to help us celebrate our new office location!
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Save the Date: United Way Open House & Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday May 2nd, United Way of Monroe County, will be hosting an open house and ribbon cutting for our new location and you're invited! Plan to come by 431 S College Ave, Bloomington, from 4 - 6 pm to celebrate with us!
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Upcoming Events
Be More Awards
Tuesday, March 26, 7 pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Free & open to the public
United Way Annual Celebration
Thursday, March 28
Hoosier Energy
Ribbon Cutting & Open House
Thursday, May 2, 4 - 6 pm
United Way of Monroe County,
431 S College Ave, Bloomington
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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.
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United Way of Monroe County
431 S College Ave
Bloomington, IN 47403
812-334-8370 // info@monroeunitedway.org
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