Heart of Missouri United Way Elects New Board Members | |
The Heart of Missouri United Way is pleased to announce its 2023 class of Board of Directors. Five members were elected to the board to serve three-year terms and two members were elected to serve a one-year term beginning in May of 2023. The members were elected during a board meeting on April 19, 2023. | |
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Jennifer Gordon
Senior Director, Mission Integration, Woodhaven
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Claire Owen
Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel, Columbia Insurance Group.
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Catherine Meagher
Marketing Strategy Manager, EquipmentShare
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Bill Watkins
Community Member
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Sharon Horbyk
Chief Relationship Officer, Missouri School Boards Association
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Dr. Jeff Lashley (Ex Officio)
President, MACC
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Bill Polansky (Ex Officio)
Executive Director, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
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Day of Action is June 9th! Day of Action provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for people and organizations that tackle some of the toughest problems facing our community. This year there are a variety of volunteer projects you can participate in with the City of Columbia, Habitat for Humanity, Services for Independent Living, Coyote Hill, and more!
We are hosting a kickoff breakfast event with speakers from Heart of Missouri United Way, the City of Columbia, and MU Health Care. We will also celebrate Give 5 Graduation for our fourth cohort at this event.
If you haven't already, please give us a "Like" on Facebook to stay up-to-date with our Day of Action posts and events.
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Mental Health Awareness Month | |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. One mental health support tool United Way has is 211 - the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. It’s powered by people: thousands of caring, local experts are available to help, 24/7. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.
If you need help – for anything from daycare to rental assistance to counseling to vocational training – your local 2-1-1 is here. Dial 2-1-1* to speak to a trained professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY (1.866.385.6525) and multilingual services are also available. If you are using a cell phone dial 800.427.4626. Your phone call is confidential and free.
| Since January 2022, 2,373 calls to the 211 hotline have been made in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties. | |
You can explore their online database of resources, see what region our 2-1-1 covers, and find places to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. | |
Applications Open for Advisory Council Volunteers | |
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Advisory Council: Health and Basic Needs
Active Period: August 2023 through October 2023
Function: The purpose of the Heart of Missouri United Way Advisory Council is to provide increased transparency in the impact investment process. Advisory Council volunteers are responsible for recommending to the United Way Board of Directors the best way to invest funds raised in our community for our community. Throughout the process, volunteers must promote values of inclusion, diversity, and equity and advanced equitable opportunities for all. With requests for funds routinely in excess of available funding, the Advisory Council volunteers have a complex and difficult set of decisions.
Composition: This Advisory Council is comprised of a diverse group of volunteers from the community. Their commitment to serve is to improve the health and well-being of all residents.
Council Activities: The Advisory Council will meet regularly during the active investment process, which occurs annually from late August through late October. Activities include training sessions, reading written grant proposals, attending proposal presentations, participating in virtual Q&A Sessions, and multiple decision-making/recommendation discussions.
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If you have any questions, contact Courtney Daviess, Chief Community Impact Officer at cdaviess@uwheartmo.org.
Advisory Council Applications close on July 12, 2023
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CASA Volunteer
CASA volunteers are assigned to an abuse or neglect case by judges. Each volunteer is carefully screened, trained, and supervised. Volunteers conduct thorough research on the background of the case, reviewing documents, and interviewing everyone involved, including the child. They make reports to the court, recommending what they believe is best for the child, and providing the judges with information that will help them make an informed decision. CASA volunteers can be instrumental in assuring that a child and/or family receives services that the court has ordered - things like substance abuse counseling or special education testing. During the life of a case, a CASA volunteer monitors the child's situation to make sure they remain safe and have a voice in court.
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Aging Best: Ombudsman
The ombudsman advocate for the rights of senior residents in long-term care facilities. We need volunteers that have good communication skills and have their own transportation.
Volunteers will receive free training and certification.
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Job Point: Marketing
Assist with brand integration throughout all media outlets, implement a comprehensive strategy for use of social media, or develop innovative strategies for fundraising. Great opportunity for college students looking to get hands-on experience before graduation!
Volunteers must complete a volunteer application and pass a criminal background check. A long-term commitment of at least three months is required.
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Agency Spotlight: Voluntary Action Center | | |
Their Mission: Responding to the immediate basic needs of individuals and families within our community. |
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One of their United Way funded programs is the Basic Needs Program. This program bridges the gap between crisis and stability by providing essentials like hygiene items and employment attire, corrective lenses, and baby formula, and information and referrals to people in need | | |
Heart of Missouri United Way in the News | |
Our team members Courtney, Alaina, and Pasha were featured in the April issue of Columbia Business Times's Movers and Shakers section. | |
A special thank you to the 20 under 40 group highlighted in this issue of CBT. They raised more than $5,400 for our Read Across Columbia program! | |
Open Letter of Intent for Heart of Missouri United Way | |
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The Heart of Missouri United Way is pleased to announce the impact area of Health and Basic Needs will begin the pre-application process for requesting grant funding. The pre-application process runs from Tuesday, May 16, 2023, through Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Through the Health & Basic Needs impact area, United Way funds services that strengthen the health and well-being of individuals and families who are most vulnerable. United Way addresses four programmatic areas necessary to achieve health and well-being: (1) Basic Needs, (2) Safe, Healthy, Affordable Housing, (3) Mental Health care, and (4) Medical and Dental care.
United Way's impact grant investments are made possible by cothe ntinued support of donors through our Community Campaign. Donations to United Way advance our impact in the community by engaging nonprofit organizations, and public and private partners to co-create solutions that create more equitable communities and ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.
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Nonprofit health & human service providers interested in learning more about the Health & Basic Needs pre-application process should contact Courtney Daviess, Chief Community Impact Officer at cdaviess@uwheartmo.org and Krista Myer, Community Impact Specialist at kmyer@uwheartmo.org. | |
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 your community. | |
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