June 2021 Newsletter
In this issue:
  • A Message from our President/CEO
  • United Way Messaging Survey
  • United Way Welcomes New Board Members
  • United Way Thanks Long-Serving Board Members
  • COVID-19 Financial Impact Survey Results
  • Tri-State Impact
  • Upcoming Events
  • United Way Internship Openings
A Message from our President/CEO:
Dear United Way Friends,

June was a month of CELEBRATION for our community as we were able to announce we met our fundraising goal of $1.2M! With the help of our staff, Board of Directors, community partners, committee volunteers, and donors, WE DID IT! While we are still compiling year-end data which we will share next month, here are a few ways your support has made a LOCAL IMPACT:
  • 31 local nonprofit partners operated successful programming, impacting the health, education, and income of those in need in our communities. Despite the pandemic, our partners were able to count on United Way’s financial support so they could focus on providing quality services to those in need.
  • The 211 Information and Referral Line, which saw an initial 300% increase in calls during the height of the pandemic, ended the year with a record high for calls. People were in need of local resources to offer support. Top requests were for health needs, financial support, and housing assistance.
  • Two themes that resonated throughout our community this year were partnerships and communication. As a convener and community leader, United Way assisted in regularly bringing partners together from nonprofits, city, county, workforce, education, and childcare, to discuss the ever-changing needs and to build a plan of action. 
  • As a result of regular communications, new partnerships were formed to better serve the community. Accurate information was communicated and streamlined which allowed us to keep our 211 system up to date. Gaps in services were identified and further work was done to address them, bringing new partnerships in the loop where needed.
  • United Way and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque co-chair our area’s Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). Our COAD’s Long Range Planning Committee meets regularly to work on building systemic ways to invest Disaster Funding to address disaster response needs.
  • United Way’s Volunteer Center was active as we worked with Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), AmeriCorps, and other providers to staff the COVID vaccine clinic with volunteers and shared vaccination information with the public.

As the pandemic demonstrated, the work is never done, and people will always need access to services in the tri-state area. We are proud to be a part of helping the most vulnerable in our community. Thank you all for LIVING UNITED.

Sincerely,
Danielle Peterson,
President/CEO
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Your input is valuable to us! As followers of United Way, take our survey to tell us why you support or volunteer with United Way.
The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
United Way Messaging Survey
United Way Welcomes New Board Members
As we start our new 2021 Campaign Year, we want to welcome our new board members! We are thrilled to have TJ Wagner, Becky Conlon, and Lauren Czeshinski join us on our board.

TJ is Vice President at Kunkel & Associates, Inc. and has been with Kunkel for 8 years. He is involved with the St. Ambrose Sales Advisory council and a mentor for the University of Minnesota Sales program.

Becky is Vice President and Director of Business Development at Conlon Construction Co. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, Dubuque YMCA/YWCA, Dubuque Mercy Health Foundation, and Two by Two Character Development. She is a founding member of the Holy Family Catholic Schools Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Immersion Advisory Committee.

Lauren works as a non-medical marketer, benefits at Cottingham & Butler. She currently is the Vice-President for the Foundation of Dubuque Public Schools Board and received the 2021 Women's Leadership Network award for Service and Support of Non-Profit Work.

Thanks for joining our board and helping United Way impact our community!
United Way Thanks Long Serving Board Members
As we close out another campaign year, we want to recognize two long-serving board members of United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States who will be leaving us this upcoming year.
Al Krueger and Carolyn Haupert have tirelessly served on our Board of Directors for decades and we are ever grateful for their generosity. Thank you for your dedication to United Way and our community!
COVID-19 Financial Impact Survey Results
United Ways of Iowa conducted a survey from September-November 2020 in order to assess the statewide impact of COVID-19 on the ALICE (Asset-Limited-Constrained Employed) population in Iowa.

Cottingham & Butler Volunteers for Catholic Charities
As part of their United Way workplace campaign, a group from Cottingham & Butler volunteered for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque! They picked up sticks, broken branches, weeded the flower beds and community garden, and did general ground care. Thank you for giving back to the community!
Thank you Tri-State Impact for inviting us to your show to talk about all the exciting things that United Way is working on!
Looking for Assistance with Rent and Utilities? 

The Iowa Rent & Utility Assistance Program is now accepting applications for up to 12 months of combined rent and utility assistance.

Check for program eligibility and the application here:
Over the Edge 2021: Friday, September 10

United Way will be hosting its 3rd annual Over the Edge Fundraising Event! Edge (or rappel) off the Hotel Julien Dubuque by raising $1000 (or more!) for our Community Impact Fund, which directly impacts over 42,000 local lives in our community.
United Way 2021 Campaign Kickoff: Tuesday, August 24

Join us as we launch our 2021 Campaign year! You will hear from our campaign co-chairs on the difference United Way is making on the community and how we impacted over 42,000 local lives.
 
Also, there will be special appearances by our top donors, funded partners, and more.
 
Stay tuned for more details!
Join the United Way Team!
Interns Wanted!
We accept interns year-round for two different positions within our office.

Community Building & Impact/Volunteer Engagement Intern

Development & Marketing Intern

Why Intern at United Way?
"Interning at the United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States was a great experience! They were flexible with my schedule and worked with me to ensure that my internship met the requirements set forth by my college for a Public Relations major. They allowed me the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects to build my portfolio and I was able to learn a lot about the world of nonprofit marketing! It was a great way to earn college credit while making an impact on my community!"- Jenna Meehan, Summer 2020 Development & Marketing Intern
Volunteer Opportunities
Mulching Party on the Bee Branch

We're having a "Mulching Party" on the Bee Branch (from Garfield to 24th St) on Saturday, July 17. The trees will celebrate having new, beautiful mulch to help save moisture, keep weeds down and keep them safe from mowers and weed whips.  We will provide training to all volunteers to make sure we HELP the trees and don’t HURT them. 
Meet at the 22 St parking area at 8:30 am. We will provide training before we begin to make sure things are done properly and consistently.
Grant Writers Team

The Fountain Of Youth Program is looking for volunteer grant writers to work as part of a team for the organization. Our overall mission as an organization is to eradicate generational poverty one adult at a time! We are currently searching for larger possible federal grants to help take our program to the next level. 
Ecumenical Tower Visitors

Can you help us provide unity to some of our residents who are in need of one one one companionship? We are looking for individuals or small groups to come visit residents. Our staff has identified residents that we feel could benefit from a little more attention.
Whether you make a one-time gift or set up recurring monthly payments, every donation matters.
We are stronger together!