Bimonthly Newsletter | November 8, 2025 | | |
A Message from Our Team
As we close out the year, we’ve been reflecting on the countless moments that defined 2025 and we keep coming back to the people. The partners who show up day after day to support our neighbors. The donors who give with open hearts because they believe in a stronger southeastern Idaho. The community members who trust us to walk alongside them during some of their most difficult seasons.
This year reminded us, time and again, why we are so proud to call southeastern Idaho home. We’ve witnessed courage from families rebuilding stability, creativity from nonprofits stretching every dollar to meet growing needs, and unwavering compassion from volunteers and advocates who simply refuse to leave anyone behind. You are the heartbeat of this region, and it is an honor to serve alongside you.
Looking ahead, we are filled with hope. Together, we will continue expanding early care and education initiatives, strengthening pathways for ALICE families, and uniting around meaningful, lasting change.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your heart for this community.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and a hopeful new year.
With gratitude,
Your United Way of Southeastern Idaho Team
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Some Words from our Director of Donor and Community Engagement
"To those who have already shared their generosity this year — thank you! Your kindness has helped support our ALICE neighbors: hardworking families earning above state and federal poverty levels, yet still struggle to afford basic needs. Your kindness has helped keep homes warm, families nourished, and children supported with a sense of security and opportunity.
If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, we invite you to join us in this powerful partnership. Your support of United Way of Southeastern Idaho uplifts ALICE families. This support is not just in moments of need, but on their path to long-term resilience. Together, we’re building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive."
- Mikala Peterson
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Our Community Investment Grant cycle opens soon!
Each year, this process helps us direct resources to programs that support ALICE families across Southeastern Idaho.
If your organization is committed to strengthening our community, we would like to invite you to submit a Letter of Intent between January 5, 2026 and January 10, 2026.
United we can help more families move toward stability.
| | Thank you for Joining Us for Women United's 5th Annual Murder Mystery Fundraiser: Murder Under the Big Top | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us under the Big Top for our 5th Annual Women United Murder Mystery Dinner. The laughter, energy, and connection you brought to the room made the night truly special.
Most importantly, your support helps strengthen the work of Aid for Friends, Bannock Youth Foundation, Bingham Crisis Center, and Oneida Crisis Center — four nonprofits providing safety, stability, and hope for families across Southeastern Idaho. We’re grateful for every guest, sponsor, volunteer, and cast member who made this event possible.
Relive the fun by viewing the moments captured throughout the evening.
View the Photo Album!
| | Youth Opportunity Updates | | Celebrating Local Leaders in Early Learning | | | | |
We’re thrilled to celebrate our partners who were recognized at this year’s IDAEYC Early Learning Collaborative Symposium, which brought early learning leaders from across the state to Boise for the annual ELC Symposium from October 3 to October 4.
American Falls Early Learning Collaborative earned the “Shark Tank” Award for the most fundable project, a testament to their creativity and forward thinking.
Bannock County Early Learning Collaborative was honored for Leadership in Early Learning Systems Change: Advocacy and Community Engagement, highlighting their continued efforts to strengthen family supports.
We’re proud to walk alongside partners who are helping build a brighter future for Southeastern Idaho’s children and families.
| | A New Space for Wonder: Tree Top Tales | | | | |
On October 21, we held a ribbon cutting that opened Tree Top Tales to families and invited them into this new space for learning and play. Tucked inside My World Discovery Children’s Museum, this early learning exhibit was created to spark imagination, support literacy, and encourage children and caregivers to explore, connect, and grow together.
This space is the result of a beautiful collaboration. Portneuf District Library, My World Discovery Museum, Museum of Clean (Aslett Clean World Foundation), and Idaho Turf Co. each brought their creativity and heart to help turn this vision into a welcoming, playful corner for families across Southeastern Idaho.
And this is only the beginning. We’ll continue bringing Tree Top Tales to life with storytimes, hands on activities, and joyful learning experiences throughout the year. We’re excited to keep growing this space alongside our partners and community.
If you haven’t visited yet, we invite your family to experience Tree Top Tales and the many adventures waiting at My World Discovery Children’s Museum.
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Investing in Early Learning:
UWSEI Receives Idaho Future Fund Grant
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We’re excited to share some wonderful news for early learners in our region. United Way of Southeastern Idaho has been awarded an eighteen thousand dollar grant from the Idaho Future Fund in The Idaho Community Foundation.
This support strengthens our ability to provide early learning scholarships for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families in Power County, helping more children in American Falls access the quality early learning experiences they deserve.
These scholarships make a meaningful difference. When children have the chance to begin school ready to learn, they carry that confidence into every stage of life, and our entire community grows stronger.
We’re grateful to the Idaho Community Foundation for investing in Idaho’s future and for standing beside us as we work to create brighter beginnings for children and families across Southeastern Idaho.
| | KIDS First Coalition: A First-of-Its-Kind Effort in Southeast Idaho | |
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In October, a collective of community partners, including Bannock County, United Way of Southeastern Idaho, and local employers and stakeholders, launched the KIDS First Coalition, a groundbreaking regional collaboration committed to improving access to affordable, high-quality childcare.
At the heart of this initiative is the Tri-Share Pilot Program, an innovative model that splits the cost of childcare between employers, employees, and public funding. This pilot supports working families, strengthens local providers, and helps build a more resilient workforce and economy.
We are proud to stand alongside our partners in advancing this important work to support families, providers, and our economy.
We welcome you to learn more and read the full article below.
| | | | HELP OUR YOUNG LEARNERS IN SOUTHEAST IDAHO | | Our Community Came Together to Light the World | | Photos by East Idaho Giving Machines | | |
United Way of Southeastern Idaho was honored to be selected as a recipient charity in this year’s Giving Machine. Thousands of individuals and families visited during its time at ICCU and we are deeply grateful for the kindness and community spirit we witnessed.
You can still be part of this giving experience by visiting the machines in Rexburg or Idaho Falls or by giving online at givingmachineeastidaho.org.
| | November Coffee & Connection Recap | |
At our November Coffee & Connection, we were grateful to hear from Brooks Bastian Hanks, Clinical Director at Bright Tomorrows Child Advocacy Center.
Brooks shared how their team provides a safe, supportive space for children who have experienced trauma and introduced us to EMDR therapy, an evidence-based treatment that helps kids heal and process difficult experiences.
She also highlighted ways to get involved, volunteering for light maintenance, donating snacks or blankets, supporting their Christmas Ornament Fundraiser, and keeping an eye out for their annual open hous in April.
To explore their Bright Tomorrow's work or find ways to get involved, visit brightcac.org or call 208-234-2646.
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This month, Women United is assembling housewarming baskets for Aid for Friends to help individuals and families transitioning toward stability.
Although the gathering itself is a Women United event, we welcome community support through donated items or monetary contributions.
To support this project, you can make a gift or email Lupe by 12/10/2025 to arrange item donations.
| | | | Through our Community Partner HealthyCity USA, you can find local opportunities to stay active, eat well, and live healthy. | | Creating meaningful change requires a collective effort, and that's where you come in – our valued volunteers, donors, group members, and advocates. Your involvement is the driving force behind the positive impact we strive to achieve. There are various ways you can contribute to our cause, and we're excited to invite you to join us in making a difference. | | | | |
