A Note From The Executive Director | |
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October is always a busy month at Heart of Missouri United Way. Amid the excitement of our annual community campaign, the tradition of our Pacesetters Breakfast, Mizzou Homecoming, and all the chili cook-offs and special office events raising funds for United Way, it’s also a time for reflection. I find myself deeply grateful for everything our nonprofit sector, Board members, staff, corporate partners, and donors contribute to making our community a better place to live, work, and find meaning.
These collective efforts rely on countless volunteers and their unwavering dedication to improving our community. As Margaret Mead famously said:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
In our community, we have far more than just a small group of committed citizens. Thousands of individuals have generously given their time, talent, and resources to help in countless ways as we strive to create what Dr. King envisioned as "the beloved community." At United Way, we work United in Purpose, Action, and Impact so that we can be United in Hope. Together, we believe we are making a real difference. With 1 in 5 people in our community relying on services funded by United Way through 37 grants at 25 agencies, we’re paving new pathways for many to thrive.
An additional pathway is our Read Across Columbia program. On October 9th, five area schools received 650 literacy kits—each containing 4 books, a free library book coupon, and a bookmark/note of encouragement created by University of Missouri students. You can read more about this special program below, but I want to especially thank MU Health Care, MU Women’s Basketball team, and Columbia Public Schools for their united effort to support our kids! It’s programs like this that make our community truly exceptional.
I believe the Heart of Missouri United Way is an extraordinary organization, driven by a shared purpose that turns into action, creates lasting impact, and brings hope to those with unmet needs. It has been an honor to be a part of this organization for nearly the past decade. Thank you to everyone who has supported United Way this fall, and to all those working to inspire hope in our community! As we like to say at the end staff meetings, “Go Team!”
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Mission: Builds relationships to empower people, strengthen resilience, and improve quality of life for all members of the community.
Vision: CMCA envisions communities without poverty.
United Way Support: Education Impact investments provide assistance for the BRIDGE program which support the social emotional health of the whole family, engages teachers in activities that lead to classroom success, develops relationships between families and their schools, and connects a community of support to both parents and children. BRIDGE empowers children and families to be self-reliant by fostering social resiliency, supporting academic success, and building social connectedness.
| Heart of Missouri United Way Hosts Emerging Professionals In Columbia (EPIC) | |
EPIC members react to a poverty simulation surprise twist announced by United Way CEO Andrew Grabau. | |
EPIC members, including Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors member Adam Burger (front left), make difficult decisions as part of the morning’s poverty simulation. | |
Nearly twenty members of the 2024 cohort of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce EPIC program visited the Heart of Missouri United Way office to learn more about the organization and how emerging leaders can drive community impact. The morning session opened with a discussion regarding how a person’s mindset and clarity of purpose can amplify or diminish the impact of action. EPIC members also participated in a poverty simulation that immerses the group into the challenges and difficulties that impoverished residents in mid-Missouri often face. | |
Read Across Columbia United Key Partners to Improve Reading Skills | |
MU Health Chief Operating Officer Tonya Johnson reads ‘A Bad Case of Stripes’ as TJ Tiger shows his stripes to students. | |
Andrew Grabau asks West Boulevard students to raise their hands if they love reading as the other speakers, TJ Tiger, Heart of Missouri United Way Board Members and Loaned Executives look on. | |
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Heart of Missouri United Way and MU Health Care again joined together to improve critically important third grade reading skills across five Columbia Public Schools elementary schools. United Way CEO Andrew Grabau, Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood, MU Health Care COO Tonya Johnson, and West Elementary Principal Morgan Neale all spoke to West Boulevard second graders regarding the importance of literacy and reading outside of school. MU Health Care mascot TJ Tiger was also on hand to deliver books and join COO Tonya Johnson as she read ‘A Bad Case of Stripes’ to the students.
Read Across Columbia is a partnership that brings together financial and volunteer resources to provide four hard cover books and a coupon for a free book from Daniel Boone Public Library to youth in five schools facing the greatest literacy challenges based upon third grade reading proficiency scores. Nearly 650 youth will receive a total of nearly 2,500 books this year.
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Principal Becca Babcock, Mizzou Women’s Basketball Team members (from left to right: Angelique Ngalakulondi, De’Myla Brown, Nyah Wilson, and Averi Kroenke) and United Way’s Adam Crumbliss celebrate Read Across Columbia after team members read to numerous classrooms at Blue Ridge Elementary School. | Participants from the University of Missouri Women’s Basketball team, COMO Magazine’s 20 Under 40 award winners, and Mizzou’s Pi Beta Phi Women’s Fraternity joined United Way Board members and staff to distribute books and read to students at Benton, Blue Ridge, Alpha Hart Lewis, and Parkade elementary schools. | |
David Clithero, Past Chair, Heart of Missouri United Way. |
Board Member Feature - David Clithero
David Clithero, better known as "DC", serves as Past Chair of the Heart of Missouri United Way and currently leads the Resource Development committee. His path to Heart of Missouri United Way was a little more than sixty miles down the road from his hometown of Vandalia but included a stop in Kirksville.
David attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) with initial thoughts of becoming a teacher and helping on the family farm. Life had a different plan that launched David into a career of University Advancement for Truman and Washington University in St. Louis before finding his way to Columbia to work in advancement for the University of Missouri – Columbia.
In 2014, he retired as Associate Vice Chancellor for Development before embarking on his next career at Hawthorn Bank. For more than a decade now, David has been using his passion for helping connect others to new opportunities and people that grow business and the community, most recently as the Vice President of Private Banking and Treasury Management for the Columbia market of Hawthorn Bank.
David and his wife, Ellen, have two sons and seven grandchildren. In addition to his service with United Way, he is an active Rotarian, leader in the One Million Cups community, Truman State University Foundation Board member, and member of the Crossing Church.
David, how did you find your way to United Way?
"I was first introduced to United Way in college. As part of Truman’s community campaign, the students took part in a Food Fast through the Residence Halls. It was a simple, but effective way to support the Kirksville community. "
David, why do you support United Way?
"I’ve been very blessed and think it’s important to share my gifts—time, treasure, and talent—to help advance the citizens of Columbia and central Missouri. By investing in, and volunteering with, the Heart of Missouri United Way, I can maximize my gifts and make a significant impact on my community."
David, what is a favorite memory of your time at United Way?
"Without question, the Read Across Columbia book delivery has been my favorite experience. Nothing compares to the experience of watching elementary school students get so excited about books and reading."
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ASPIRE Curriculum Aims to Help Grow Non-Profits | |
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Registration has opened for the next installment of non-profit capacity building sessions through the ASPIRES project. The course is open to all registering non-profits seeking to improve capacity and provide skill building opportunities. The next course is set to occur on Monday, October 28 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm at Boone County Family Resources located at 2700 W. Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203.
The course is entitled ‘Building Relationships to Raise More Money’ and will dive deep into the heart of fundraising. Interactive exercises, role-playing, and a few surprises are all a part of the curriculum aimed at providing practical tools, strategies, and confidence that create lasting donor relationships.
All Board members and nonprofit staff members are welcome to join us!
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Give 5 Grows Service Learning in Mid-Missouri | |
Cohort seven participants take a moment to share thanks in support of Give 5 | |
Cohort seven participants learn about Mobility Worldwide and their efforts to provide mobility carts to those in need across the globe. | |
Give 5 provides participants an opportunity to learn more about non-profit organizations and services in the mid-Missouri area. The program’s seventh cohort began on September 19 and will wrap up its learning phase with a graduation ceremony October 31st at 11:30, Boone Electric Community Room. After graduating, participants are asked to volunteer five hours each month in support of those community members served by the non-profit sector. | |
Second grader Kayden Kemp reaches for a literacy bag on Tuesday at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Columbia. All the literacy bags were put together as part of United Way’s Volunteer Week. | |
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West Boulevard students celebrate books at Read Across Columbia event. | |  |
Columbia first and second graders receive free books to improve reading skills. | | | |
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Heart of Missouri United Way CEO & President, Andrew Grabau stepping down (KOMU.com) | |
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Pacesetter Breakfast
October 20, 2024
7:30 a.m.
Boone Hospital
ASPIRES Project Course October 28, 2024
Give 5 Cohort 7 Graduation
October 31, 2024
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Mizzou Homecoming Parade
October 19, 2024
9:00 a.m.
Leadership Circle Donor Appreciation
October 28, 2024
Board of Directors Meeting
November 20, 2024
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Non-profit Agencies Meeting w/City Leaders
October 22, 2024
3:00-4:00 p.m.
HM United Way
University of Missouri UW Donation Day
October 29, 2024
Live United Day & Grant Reveal
November 21, 2024
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Heart of Missouri United Way invests in programs at nonprofit organizations in the impact areas of health and basic needs, education, and financial stability. Our investments reach individuals and families in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties. Donate today to make an impact in our community. | |
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