Hello Katie,

As 2024 comes to a close, we can’t help but reflect on the incredible memories and milestones we’ve shared. For decades, Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) has been a pillar of support for families—providing high-quality early education, food security, and pathways to self-sufficiency. This year has been especially transformative as we prepare to step into 2025 under our new name: Pathways.

This transition isn’t just a name change; it marks our bold, intentional shift to focus deeply on whole-family, wraparound services that empower families to thrive. From successes like supporting the Rogers family in paying off a predatory loan through our Opportunity Fund, to expanding our mental health services and witnessing the incredible progress of Compass students like Lianna, this year has been a testament to what we can achieve together.

We have so much to celebrate, but there’s one more milestone we need to hit before the year ends. Our year-end campaign goal is $115,000, and we still need to raise $60,000 by December 31. Your support has always been the driving force behind our success, and we are asking—compelling you—to help launch Pathways on the strongest foundation possible. Every dollar you give directly supports the programs and services that make a life-changing difference for families.

Thank you for believing in us, for sharing your energy, and for being part of our journey. From our family at Pathways to yours, we wish you a warm, joyful holiday season filled with hope and connection. Together, let’s close this year with impact and step boldly into 2025.

[Donate Now]

With heartfelt gratitude,

Katie Broadfoot, MPA

Executive Director

Pathways

kbroadfoot@mcum.org

812-339-3429 ext.11

The Importance of Financial Literacy

The rising costs of groceries, utilities, car payments, and other essentials can make it feel nearly impossible to focus on long-term financial goals like retirement planning, saving for a down payment on a home, or investing. However, building financial literacy skills empowers people to create budgets, make informed investments, and build a foundation for a secure future.

Research has shown that financial literacy rates are alarmingly low worldwide. Many people lack an understanding of how their economic decisions can affect their present and future circumstances. Pathways of breaking through intergenerational poverty and achieving long-term financial stability such as homeownership, education, and even investing in a retirement account require a thorough understanding of finances to create a budget that allows an individual to make these investments. It can be very easy to make a life-changing decision without understanding the full impact it will have. Achieving higher rates of financial literacy allows people to not only save and prepare for their future but make the most out of their investments and spending, furthering their ability to escape poverty and help lessen economic inequality.

Learn More

How Far Your Dollars Go

Our mission to support the families of Monroe County is driven by your donations. To understand the true impact your donations have, here is a breakdown of some of the resources we provide and their cost:

hygiene supplies: $30
This provides 3 months of hygiene items for a family.
one week of groceries: $75
Including shelf-stable goods as well as produce, bread, and frozen meat for the family.
opportunity fund: $300 and up
A micro-grant to help a caregiver reduce debt, make a down payment, pay for schooling, pay for medical bills, etc.
one week of Compass ELC Care: $290
This will fund the care and education of a child at our Compass Early Learning Center for a week.

Did you know?

18.2% of Monroe County lives in poverty
44% of Americans say they would be unable to pay for an emergency $1000 expense
43% of U.S. families are unable to meet their basic needs

Exciting Transitions Ahead for Compass Families

As we head into the new year, we are excited about our transition from Monroe County United Ministries to Pathways. This organizational shift brings a more focused approach, with many of our programs shifting attention to support the families of the Compass Learning Center.

In a discussion with some of our program coordinators on the changes, Alysha, our Your Path Coordinator, shared that she is enthusastic about the upcoming changes to the Your Path program. Having already built strong relationships with many Compass parents, she looks forward to working more closely with them on a personal level.

Additionally, the services provided by our food pantry and hygiene closets will be exclusively for the Compass families. Alysha and Jacky, our Basic Needs Coordinator, discussed how these vital changes will better ensure that the families we serve will have their basic needs met, an essential step towards financial stability and well-being.

Thank you for your continued support as we make these exciting changes.

Seeking Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers to participate in interviews about their experiences with the Compass Early Learning Center and other MCUM programs. Interviews can be conducted over Zoom or through a self-recorded video, whichever you prefer.

If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out!

These interviews and recordings will support our Paths to Prosperity Fundraiser in February and may also be featured in our monthly e-newsletter. Our goal is to highlight the positive impact of our programs and secure additional funding to assist families in our community.

For questions or to express your interest, please contact:

Caitlyn Cotter, Client Advocacy Specialist.

Paths to Prosperity

Our Paths to Prosperity fundraiser will be held on February 13 from 6 - 9 at the FAR Center in Bloomington.

This event will include food, drinks, a wine pull, and a silent auction to celebrate the beginning of our spring campaign and our transition to Pathways.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on January 2nd. Follow us on social media for more updates!