United Way Needs You to #GiveFromTheHeart!

United Way of Southeast Missouri
January 2016 Newsletter

All Hearts on Deck!

If we had a dollar for every time we or our funded partners say, "The need in this community is much greater than most people realize," we might put ourselves out of work! Until that happens, thanks to generous donors and outstanding collaboration with funded partners, we make progress every day to make life better for everyone in Southeast Missouri.

Did you know that Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Missouri has officially opened their new facility in Scott City? They're already serving 23 students that attend Scott City R-I Elementary, and they've only been in operation less than a month. We're ecstatic to provide more educational mentoring in the Scott City area and can't wait to see the impact this program has on these students and this community.

One of our new partners, Little Whitewater Baptist Church Food Pantry, is located near Patton and serves around 40 families in Bollinger County every month. In the last six months, they have obtained ownership of a former volunteer firehouse and are installing shelving units, air conditioning and refrigerators. Their hope is to provide cold/chilled items to the families they support.

Like the two above, all of our partners depend on United Way dollars to strengthen our community. Without the support of our donors and volunteers, their work would not be possible ... Read More .

Your Dollars at Work:
Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Each January the nation celebrates National Mentoring Month. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is the largest and most successful mentoring organization in the state of Missouri. This year there is much to celebrate.

Big Brothers Big Sisters opens its doors every day so that young people have the extra support they need and deserve to grow up healthy, happy and successful. According to President and CEO, Becky Hatter, "Children need adults to see them, know them and care about them. Parents want the best for their children, but sometimes they cannot do it alone. So in partnership with our amazing mentors, teachers and other community partners, we offer children a little more certainty, a little more direction and a whole lot more love, fun and support - the necessary ingredients to lifelong success." ... Read More.

Volunteer:
Reading with Students

Imagine you are in fifth grade and still reading at the level of a third-grade student. Think how difficult school would be and how you might come to dread even going. Our students need your help!

Volunteers are needed to help struggling readers at Central Middle School in a new Tiger Book Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-3:10 to lead a book club of 4-5 students in fifth and sixth grades. We also need Read to Succeed volunteers at various elementary schools in morning and early afternoon time slots Monday through Friday.

"I like how [volunteers] can come and sit and read with us. I'm learning to be brave about reading in front of people and to never give up." - J.H., 5th Grader

The benefits of volunteering to read with a student are many. The relationship formed with the students is extremely important to their overall development and level of self-confidence. Volunteers experience a high degree of satisfaction knowing they are making a difference.

Sign up for as many R2S sessions as you like by contacting Robin Koetting, Program Manager, at 334-9634 or [email protected]. Volunteer at the middle school by contacting [email protected] or 334-6281. Background checks will be required.

Gold Investors

Silver Investors

Important Dates

2/6 - Beef O' Brady's Fundraiser (Cape and Perryville)

2/11 - Missouri Running Company Share Day

2/24 - Bank of Missouri Trivia Night

2/28 - Wings Etc. Share Night (Cape and Jackson)

4/13 - Campaign Celebration

Volunteer Corner

Read to Succeed

Help a young reader for 30-60 minutes one or more days a week.. more information.

Tiger Book Club

Volunteers are needed to help struggling readers at Central Middle School in a new Tiger Book Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-3:15. Volunteers will lead a book club of 4-5 students in fifth and sixth grades. Contact [email protected]

or call 573-334-6281 to get involved today.

Boys & Girls Club of

Southeast Missouri

Help B&GC members with homework, arts and crafts, physical activities or other programs or create your own project or special event. Be on the lookout for more volunteer information coming soon as the Club opens their new Scott City location... more information.

Habitat for Humanity

Two Habitat homes are underway; 1 in Cape and 1 in Jackson; volunteers are needed with light construction and painting... more information .

Habitat ReStore

Volunteers are needed to help provide customer service and/or sort merchandise at the Cape retail store... more information.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to assist with the after school program. Individuals would mentor, tutor and build relationships with students in the 5th through 12th grade.. more information.

Voices for Children/CASA

CASA provides well-trained court appointed volunteers to speak on behalf of child victims of abuse and neglect who are in foster care in the three county 32nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri.. more information.

Fostering Futures

The Fostering Futures Program is a supplemental program to Voices for Children/CASA's advocacy program. Fostering Futures specifically serves youth ages 14-18 who will, most likely, age out of foster care without ever being adopted. The program is designed to assist youth in a successful transition from foster care to adulthood... more information.

If you are a partner organization seeking volunteers and wish to share the information with UnitedWay of Southeast Missouri and our supporters, please fill out our Volunteer Opportunities Form.