Community Impact Newsletter - January/February 2018

2018 January/February Issue

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Happy New Year!

To some, the New Year is an opportunity for a fresh start. Whether there are resolutions on your list or personal goals you want to achieve, there is no better time to start fresh than now.

2017 was quite a year for us at United Way of Greater Union County. With your support, we were able to serve so many in our community whose lives are better because of you. We've shared their incredible stories of struggle and triumph and this year, we will continue to shine a light. The support last year, was evident- you’ve donated your time, money and advocacy. You are our caring neighbors who, just as we do, envisions a community where all children and families achieve their highest potential through education, financial stability, health and family strengthening.

As we settle in to 2018, our plans to strategically focus our efforts are becoming clearer and our initiatives to effect change where we live and work will be reflected in our work. Through the years, we've had your support and are grateful for all you've done to help continue our mission of building stronger families and stronger communities. Now, more than ever, we count on you to Stand United with us as we improve the lives of all in our community.

To stay up to date with what we’re doing, we encourage you to contact us and visit our website .

Visit our website

President & CEO Blog

The Fierce Urgency of Now: Answering Dr. King’s call to action

50 years after the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his legacy lives on in the continued fight for civil rights and social justice. In this difficult time for our communities and our country, now more than ever do we look to the inspiration he provided Americans through his activism, fight for social equality and the poor, and most notably during his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Read more.

YEPP Feature: Danye

For over 2 years, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Workforce Development board has awarded UWGUC a Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant to coordinate the Youth Employment and Training Consortium and to implement the Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP). YEPP serves as a tool to assist out of school youth between the ages of 16-21 with the skills they'll need to succeed in a career.

One such person in the out of school youth program is Danye (pictured right) , a 21 year old Elizabeth resident who has taken advantage of the invaluable skills she’s learned from YEPP, “I was recommended to come here ", she says. Danye entered the program last May with a goal to gain work experience. She participates in YEPP through the Urban League where she attends job readiness workshops, learns best practices on how to effectively interview for a job, obtain a position and how to build positive interpersonal skills. “I had certain expectations” she says when she began her paid work experience at UWGUC last August. “I wanted to learn about technology and build up my skills”. Danye currently works with us part time as a Program Specialist where she ensures quality assurance of processing client files, develops organizational tools to enhance work flow, works with resource and development on donor and corporate level projects and manages multiple projects with various department heads. She says working with United Way has exceeded her expectations.

Danye plans to enroll in college this Fall and wants to pursue a career in teaching. But that's not all, “I want to help people” and sees herself working in nonprofit as well. As a volunteer, she serves in a soup kitchen, secures and organizes food and clothing donations to children and families, prepares and implements games to students and teaches bible study to 3-5 year old children at her church . Danye says that YEPP has helped her to focus on her strengths and challenges.

To learn more about the YEPP Program, please visit our website at uwguc.org/yepp .

2017 Season of Caring

We are grateful for the generosity of all those that provided gifts for children during our 2017 Season of Caring. The Drive inspired all of us involved, as we were able to serve more than 500 children across Greater Union County.

Thank you partners for making a difference!

With special thanks to Investors Foundation for supporting us with a grant in our Season of Caring Drive!

Upcoming Events

2018 ANNUAL CELEBRATION

The Annual Celebration! will be held on June 14, 2018. Click here for more information.

2018 ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

Join us on June 28, 2018 at Royce Brook Club in Hamilton NJ. Click here for more information .

Proceeds from these events will benefit programs and services funded by United Way of Greater Union County, whose mission is to improve lives and build strong communities

2018 Rising Star Nominations Now Open

United Way of Greater Union County invites you to Save the Date for our Annual Celebration, on Thursday evening, June 14, 2018 the Gran Centurions.

Nominations for our Rising Star Campaign is currently open! Help us honor someone in our community that exemplifies extraordinary service.

Nominate a Rising Star Honoree for our Annual Celebration!

Help us recognize a young professional who lives and/or works in the Greater Union County, North or South Plainfield area with less than 6 years in their profession. This individual brings commitment, excellence and distinction. Outside of their profession, the individual demonstrates creativity, resourcefulness and ingenuity in the field of service showing exemplary efforts in volunteering, advocacy and/or philanthropy.