United Way of Waco-McLennan County has launched a trial for social service agencies to connect and access resources with an online bulletin board - The HOTSpot. The HOTSpot will serve as a collaborative platform for nonprofit agencies, schools, government organizations, the faith community and healthcare agencies. 

Participating organizations can utilize The HOTSpot to post announcements, share information about new programs or events serving the community and request assistance for clients' basic needs. We are excited to run a trial on this program and see if it is a helpful resource for agencies in our community.

United Way of Waco-McLennan County is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, a milestone that speaks volumes about the enduring spirit and unwavering commitment of individuals like you in our community. In celebration of 100 years of community impact, we are hosting the United Way 100 Year Gala Luncheon from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 26 at the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center at Baylor University.

Speakers will include Judge Scott Felton, Mayor Dillon Meek, Sherman Ayres, Dr. Jackson Griggs and other special guests.



Individual Tickets: $100 Each 

Register by March 19.

Sponsorships Available 

This luncheon will celebrate the legacy of work over the last 100 years, and showcase plans for the future and the next steps of community-building that will be accomplished. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Centennial Visionary Sponsors

Bob & Erin Davis

H&B Packing, Co., Inc.

Legacy Builder Sponsors

Caterpillar

Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP

Texas Farm Bureau

Turner Brothers Real Estate

Community Connector Sponsors

Alliance Bank of Central Texas

Atmos Energy

Extraco Banks

First National Bank of Central Texas

Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries

July Business Services

Lawns LTD, Inc.

Methodist Children's Home

Patterson + Sheridan, LLP

The Child Well-Being Movement, supported by United Way of Waco-McLennan County, unites residents and partners to enhance the lives of children ages 0-5 and their families. In response to the 2021 "Are the Children Well?" report's findings of limited awareness about tailored services, United Way has recently initiated a campaign with local marketing firm, Seedhouse Creative. This effort aims to educate families about services provided by United Way-designated agencies and partners of the Child Well-Being Movement.

While challenges remain, it's clear that our primary partners have the potential to make a significant impact in our community. This potential can be maximized if more individuals are aware of the available support and resources within our community.

Below are the goals of the marketing plan: 

• Increase Awareness
• Enhance Engagement
• Promote Inclusivity
• Expand Reach
• Overcome Information Barriers
• Achieve Long-Term Impact

We are excited to work with our partners to launch this marketing campaign and help spread the word about agency services, events and success stories. We will continue to share more about this marketing campaign as pieces are created and distributed.

Additionally, we've initiated the formation of four specialized workgroups to further delve into the action plan. These groups are focused on childcare, health, education, and workforce development & financial stability. We eagerly anticipate the collective efforts of these groups as they advance the mission to enhance the lives of local children and their families.

Recently, a distinguished group of gentlemen, each with a longstanding affiliation with United Way of Waco-McLennan County, convened for a special occasion. These individuals, who have generously devoted their time and expertise to various leadership roles with the organization, including serving as board chairmen, campaign chairmen and in various other capacities, gathered to delve into the United Way scrapbooks and archives.

Their objective was to compile and document information in preparation for the upcoming 100 Year Gala - a milestone event set to commemorate a century of unwavering commitment and philanthropy.

Each document and photograph served as a reminder of the countless lives touched and communities transformed by the collective efforts of the United Way and its dedicated supporters. This gathering underscored not only their personal dedication but also the enduring legacy of service that begins with United Way.

STARRY Fatherhood Program

The Fatherhood Program continues to see increased participation in program services. During the most recent United Way grant cycle, they were excited to have a full team to meet the increased need for fatherhood support services. This resulted in an increase of 79% in enrollments in this last fiscal year than the previous year.

The Fatherhood team hosted a 3rd Annual Father Fest in June of 2023 for families in the area. This provided a platform for increasing fatherhood engagement within the Waco-McLennan County community and among other service providers. The team was able to become fully trained in the Parent Cafe model which enhances the ability to provide education and support through group services while creating community among fathers. 

Services have been delivered to a majority BIPOC fathers and father figures (51%) with 32% identifying as Black or Biracial and 18% as Hispanic. Fatherhood staff are part of and able to participate in STARRY's IDEA committee offerings to raise awareness and partake in initiatives, including Brave Spaces and other internal and/or external training to promote connection and belonging.

Click here to learn more about the STARRY Fatherhood Program.