Women United affinity group of United Way of Knox County, Ohio
Newsletter May & June 2021
If you have not renewed your membership, please take moment to do so by clicking the Women United Dues link below and selecting the membership level of your choice.
Stay up-to-date with Women United events and activities by visiting our website and Facebook.
A Brief Update from our United Way Office

Meet our new Program director


United Way of Knox County names Kyla Brayshaw as the New Program Director. Kyla is a lifelong resident of Knox County and graduate of Ashland University.

Brayshaw will be the liaison between community partners and United Way, assuring that partners are managing investments as intended and collecting and tracking data to assure goals and outcomes are being achieved. She will also manage the on-site programing such as Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Poverty Simulations, Crunch Out Knox County, VITA Free Tax Program and will represent United Way on several committees and coalitions.

Kyla brings attention to detail, energy and passion for helping others to this position. While in college she volunteered and became a Nationally Certified Peer Educator and volunteered with Ronald McDonald House Charities. Her commitment to helping others succeed is evident and we are thrilled to have her on our team. You may reach Kyla via email at kyla@uwayknox.org or by calling our office at 740-397-5721, extension 106.
2021 Fall Poverty Simulator

This year a poverty Simulator is being planned for the morning of Thursday October 21, 2021.

In the simulation, participants assumed the roles of families facing a variety of challenging, but typical circumstances. Some were homeless, others recently became unemployed, and some were suddenly faced with responsibilities like raising grandchildren. A team of community volunteers play the roles of resource providers, such as social worker, loan officer, employer, pawnbroker, grocer, utility collector, police officer, and teacher.

Poverty Simulation can mean different things to different participants. For resource providers, it can help them to better identify with the needs of families and individuals they serve each day. For community leaders, elected officials, and agency directors it can help them to create and implement policies and programs that address the issue of poverty more effectively. For anyone, it can inspire a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of Knox County residents and employees of local businesses.
United Way traditionally offers a Poverty Simulation in October, which is open to the community.
We are now looking for Volunteers to play the roles of resource providers for this years Simulator. If you are interested in helping with this event on October 21st as details are being planned, please email Lindsay at lindsay@uwayknox.org.

Volunteer Knox is a online county-wide volunteer management platform.

Local volunteerism is the power behind long-lasting change. United Way of Knox County has long prioritized volunteerism. Introduction of a new, dynamic online platform will amplify volunteer engagement and impact in Knox County. Nonprofits and other agencies in the area have already started posting their volunteer opportunities, special events, and engagement activities online in hopes of increasing the variety of ways for individuals to get involved. This web-based system, Volunteer Knox is administrated by United Way and available at www.volunteerknox.com.
Organizations and volunteers will utilize the tool for free under one United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. agreement. Contact United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. office for more information!
Redefining Beauty Lesson

Here are some of the posters the girls made during a Redefining Beauty lesson at KCCC. They posted them in bathrooms and on bulletin boards around the Career Center. Girls who weren't in the group were even posting selfies with the signs. The female staff even requested posters for their bathroom.

Goals of the lesson:
-For girls to learn to critically analyze the media and recognize negative aspects of advertising and how they can exploit women and girls.
-To equip girls with skills to take a stand against negative media issues.
-To help girls learn to value themselves and their bodies and to resist comparing themselves to unrealistic model/media images.
-To help girls define beauty as a personality trait rather than a physical trait.
Ladies!

We’ve missed you! I hope you are all staying safe and healthy during this pandemic.
I just wanted to let you know that the Power of the Purse will not be held in 2021 due to attendance restrictions. Can you imagine not having 240 ladies? I can’t! One of the best things about this event is the noise, music, and laughter that only a room full of ladies can create! Mark your calendar for May 6, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. at the Gallagher Centre. More information will be provided closer to the event.
Remember to save your old purses for Bag Lady Boulevard and we’ll see you in the Spring of 2022!