"After Frank left, things really fell apart, and I did too. I struggled to be a good mother during those days because I was so distracted. After nearly losing my house, I almost lost my job when my car broke down. At my lowest point, someone told me that United Way might be able to help. I swallowed my pride and called them. They helped me connect the dots to begin putting our lives back together. After that phone call I was able to start turning things around."
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Amy works two low-paying jobs trying to make ends meet but she and Frankie barely make it from paycheck to paycheck. With the high cost of housing, childcare, and health care, it’s hard for them to get ahead.
When her car won’t start, Amy sometimes walks to work but by the time she gets Frankie to childcare, she’s late for her job.
She lives with the constant strain of losing her income – and the home that she is barely able to maintain. One home repair or modest health crisis can easily push them over the edge into full-blown poverty and homelessness.
Like nearly one in three local households, Amy and Frankie make just a little above the federal cutoff to qualify for assistance, like food stamps and WIC, and Amy constantly struggles just to stay afloat.
Your support of United Way helps Amy and Frankie, and other families on the edge, from falling into poverty and homelessness.
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Change begins with you! Are you in?
Generous donors and supporters have, so far, raised $459,539 to support families like Amy and Frankie. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.
A very special thank you to these, and other, workplaces in our community whose employees come together in support of United Way:
- Community-minded IU Credit Union employees donated $19,902, in addition to a corporate gift of $20,000, for a total of $39,902 supporting local families on the edge of poverty.
- Andy Mohr Honda team members are giving more to their community with contributions of $1,404.
- Dedicated employees at member agency Community Kitchen cooked up $1,953 to to help local people stay safe and healthy.
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"I stand here today because of the respect and the support that United Way agencies offered me and my family when I was growing up."
When Hoosiers football legend Anthony Thompson was growing up, his family relied on support from United Way nonprofit agencies to grow and thrive. That’s why AT gives back to the community today and serves as co-chair of Indiana University Bloomington’s 2019-2020 United Way Campaign.
By giving to United Way, you can join AT in standing up to ensure that families in Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties have the opportunity for a better life and that everyone can meet basic living needs.
Thanks to AT for sharing his story and supporting United Way! Join him today by making your donation.
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Think YOU have the best chili in town?
Don't miss the Chilly Cook-Off hosted by United Way as part of the first annual Freezefest. Save the date of Saturday, January 11 and come out to enjoy the best chili made by fellow community members. Tickets available December 1.
Freezefest is a city-wide celebration of winter from January 6-11, organized by Visit Bloomington. Stay in the loop for Freezefest information
here.
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Wake Up! with United Way "Re-Imagining Health Care in Monroe County and Beyond" Nov. 14
On Thursday, November 14 at Wake Up! with United Way, we'll be joined by Nancy Richman, executive director of Volunteers in Medicine (VIM).
For the past 12 years, VIM has been the only source of free health care for uninsured and medically underserved residents of Monroe and Owen counties. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Healthy IN Plan 2.0 (HIP), Indiana’s alternative to Medicaid expansion, Monroe County now has a large number of people who are insured.
Unfortunately, people living in poverty who become insured are still living in poverty and still face the challenges that substandard housing, unemployment, lack of transportation, and food deserts have on physical and mental health. VIM recently announcing a transition to a Federally Qualified Health Center. This transition offers great potential to bring transformative solutions to our community’s critical health challenges.
Join to learn what the transitions to a Federally Qualified Health Center means for our community.
Wake Up! with United Way is a collaborative project of United Way of Monroe County and Indiana University's Political and Civic Engagement Program, with thanks to Old National Bank for series support.
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Bank on Bloomington offers free personal finance classes
Bank on Bloomington is now offering free personal finance classes to help community members strengthen their financial literacy and prepare for financial milestones in their lives. Class topics will vary. In addition to learning general knowledge, attendees will have the opportunity to ask one-on-one questions with instructors.
The next class, "Credit and Getting Ready for a Big Purchase," will be held November 14 from 6 - 7 p.m. in the Downtown Bloomington Transit Center conference room. Childcare is available if attendance is confirmed 24 hours in advance.
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Day of Action delivered nearly 600 literacy kits
Faces were aglow with excitement as young learners opened their new literacy backpacks that volunteers and generous sponsors made possible! Nearly 600 kids throughout Monroe County received new books, writing materials, and learning tools in literacy backpacks as part of the 2019 United Way Day of Action.
“The children were so excited to pull everything out of their kits,” said volunteer Stacy Howell with Duke Energy. “I asked a few of them if I could come back and have them read to me. They all beamed with excitement, and seeing their smiling faces made me happy for the rest of the day.”
Kids from pre-K through sixth grade who attend six United Way member agencies received age appropriate backpacks to help ignite their love for reading and strengthen their literacy skills.
A very big thanks to presenting sponsors, Duke Energy and Old National Bank, and social sponsor, BJ's Brewhouse and Restaurant. Their generosity and commitment to strengthening the community made this Day of Action possible.
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Be a Tax Hero!
Not all heroes wear capes. Some volunteer to help hard working families file their taxes for free!
Last year Tax Heroes filed more than 2,300 federal tax returns & brought back more than $2.7 million to our community.
Enjoy problem solving and enjoy helping people? Join our Free Community Tax Service volunteer team today.
IRS Training and Certification provided at no cost — No experience needed.
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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 and grant initiatives, we work with 24 member agencies and other community partners to ensure families have opportunities and everyone can meet basic living needs.
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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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