Our 2019 Campaign kicked off with a week long community celebration  September 9 through the 13th. The schedule of events included serving Hot Meals, sneaking a peek at the YMCA renovation, playing at SPI, experiencing the Winter Sanctuary emergency shelter, and celebrating at our luncheon and unwinding at happy hour. 

Through out the week we had over 131 volunteer interactions and 193 volunteer hours logged! 

Photos from events are available on Facebook.

Our Campaign theme this year is "In a World So Divided, LIVE UNITED". This theme highlights that diversity, inclusion, and community give value to every human being, no matter our differences. By promoting the health, education, and financial stability of all Knox County residents, we find ways that we can all agree and unite!

Thank you Campaign Kick-Off Week Sponsors!

The 2020 Investment Agenda includes $399,434 supporting 13 Health programs administered by 9 partner agencies; $110,000 supporting 6 Education programs administered by 5 partner agencies; and  $210,000 supporting 6 Financial Stability programs administered by 6 partner agencies. United Way of Knox County is also unique in that the organization coordinates several community programs directly, including Crunch Out, Poverty Simulation, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and three local After School Elementary tutoring and enrichment programs.  United Way Videos are a great way to learn more!

Use this link to pledge your support to the 2019 United Way Campaign.

After School Tutoring and Enrichment

Back to school also means back to after school - United Way after school programs, that is. This year United Way will support three after school programs in Knox County. East Elementary's Eagles' Nest and Dan Emmett Elementary's Tiger Pride club are joined by the East Knox Bulldog Pound at East Knox Elementary. 

Students are invited to participate in the programs based on test score and school performance. Homework assistance and fun activities provided at the program help students improve performance and embrace school.

Like the two programs before it, the Bulldog Pound meets Monday through Thursday,  3:30 - 5 pm from October until May. Volunteer as a tutor or learn more about the programs by contacting [email protected] or calling United Way at 740.397.5721

On October 17, United Way partnered with the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Knox Team and several community and individual partners, participants, and volunteers for a Poverty Simulation. The  Apostolic Christian Church on Old Delaware Road provided the space for the event.

The packed Poverty Simulation exposed 85 participants to confusion, close chairs, long lines, loud bells - all features built in to the simulations to build stress- demonstrate day to day stress levels experienced by families experiencing poverty.

 
In the simulation, participants assumed the roles of  families facing a variety of challenging, circumstances, such as homelessness, unemployment and unexpected guardianship of children. Volunteers served in the roles of resource providers, such as social worker, loan officer, employer, pawnbroker, grocer, utility collector, police officer and teacher.

Poverty Simulation offers the opportunity for participants to work through these challenges in a safe environment to practice new skills. The program aims to sensitize participants to poverty in our community and motivate them to promote activities in our community to reduce poverty.

Email [email protected] to learn the specific details about hosting a simulation within your agency, organization or church.  This is a great team building opportunity; however, a group of at least 50 participants in needed in order to conduct an effective simulation.

Honoring Lisa Rutter

October 17 was also United Way education coordinator Lisa Rutter's last day. She has retired  from a long service-driven career in the community.  Lisa joined the United Way staff in August 2007 after retiring from a 30 year career within the Knox County social services system.  With Lisa's knowledge and background of local services and supports for families and children, it was a logical transition into the United Way arena.  She was responsible for promoting and coordinating the Imagination Library free book program for children, the FamilyWize Prescription Discount Program, and connecting the community to the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Hotline.  Lisa also facilitated Poverty Simulations, making the Simulation on the seventeenth, a fitting last day.

While United Way will miss Lisa's contributions, we anticipate that she will continue to advocate for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, among other beloved United Way Programs.

CitizenAID

We are excited to share that we have partnered with CitizenAID, Knox Community Hospital, First-Knox National Bank, Kokosing Construction, and the Ariel Foundation to help prepare our local schools. CitizenAID helps provide our local Knox County Schools with a solution to enhance campus safety in effort to empower teachers to save lives should they ever be in such position.

The partnership will provide citizenAID Public Treatment Kits in over 600 Knox County classrooms, and High Visibility Wall Stations that hold multiple kits in high-traffic areas at all schools across the county. The sponsorship also includes online safety, security, and trauma care training for all school staff members. Additionally, every purchased training program through the partnership includes an educational one for one match from citizenAID. Combined, more than 1,050 Knox County teachers and staff will be trained through the program at:

• Centerburg
• Danville
• East Knox
• Fredericktown
• Mount Vernon
• Knox Educational Service Center
• Knox County Career Center

To learn more about citizenAID and the services it provides, please visit citizenAID.us or  read more in the  press release.