Harvest Hope: October Update from United Way
Dear friend,
As we enter the fall season, we’re excited to share how your support of United Way helps make Missoula a stronger, better place for all of us. Thank you!
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Housing Solutions Fund helps more than 2,000 people avoid homelessness -- but it needs your help
United Way’s Housing Solutions Fund (HSF) is a bright spot in our community’s collective efforts to address homelessness. With your support, the HSF quickly and efficiently helps vulnerable Missoula County households secure or maintain stable housing. Since November 2021, the HSF has stabilized housing for approximately 715 households -- more than 2,000 people.
But demand for this critical homeless-prevention resource outstrips available funding, and we are periodically forced to close the HSF when the fund is depleted. You can help end homelessness in Missoula by giving to the HSF here. Caseworkers access the HSF on behalf of clients currently experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of losing their housing. The most requested use of the HSF by caseworkers is for late or past-due rent, rent and rental deposit assistance, or reconnecting clients with a supportive family/ network out of town.
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Temporary Safe Outdoor Space helps chronically homeless people find housing
The Temporary Safe Outdoor Space (TSOS), a collaboration between United Way, Missoula County, and Hope Rescue Mission, is another bright spot. The TSOS provides hard-sided, safe shelters for chronically unhoused residents to stay while they work toward accessing permanent housing. With space for 45 people at a time, the TSOS provides relationships, connections, and intensive case management to help people succeed. The program works: In 2023, 73% of people who stayed at the TSOS moved onto housing or long-term recovery. So far in 2024, 92 residents have stayed at the TSOS, with 36% (33 people) moving into housing or recovery.
Learn more
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Photo: TSOS hard-sided, secure shelters. | |
Photo: Two parents reading with two young children | |
Your support helps kids enter kindergarten ready to learn
Missoula loves our Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! Thanks for embracing this early-reading program, which has distributed more than 300,000 books to kids 0-5 since 2015!
We know that participating in Imagination Library correlates to early success in school. But Zero to Five Missoula County does even more to strengthen early childhood experiences – those essential building blocks for a successful life. This is critical, because fewer than half of all Missoula children enter kindergarten fully prepared to succeed. The most recent Kindergarten Entry Assessment completed by Zero to Five Missoula County revealed that just 43% of children are “Fully Ready” for kindergarten.
With your support, Zero to Five is focusing on low-cost, targeted interventions in neighborhoods with the lowest readiness scores. We're also addressing factors like parent stress, which affects children's ability to thrive. Research shows that "malleable assets"—such as early bedtime, family activities, and reduced stress—can significantly improve readiness. Together, we can ensure that more children are ready for success in school and beyond, building a stronger foundation for future generations in our community.
The 2024-25 Kindergarten Entry Assessment is now underway. See more about Zero to Five Missoula here.
Learn more.
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Back-to-School Backpack Program helps kids succeed in school
Too many Missoula families simply cannot afford the school supplies that give kids a strong start to the school year. In August, thanks to Missoula Chevrolet, our Back-to-School Backpack Program distributed 800 brand-new backpacks, filled with the required school supplies, to kids most in need. Our partnership with Missoula County Public Schools, Mineral County Public Schools, Soft Landing Missoula, Missoula Fire Department, Missoula Food Bank & Community Center, and Youth Homes ensures that the backpacks reach kids from families who need help most. Thank you to Missoula Chevrolet for sponsoring this year's Backpack program!
Learn more
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Photo: Playground at the former Cold Springs School, where MCCA is located. | |
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Missoula Child Care Advantage transforms the child care landscape
The long-shuttered Cold Springs School now buzzes with the voices of little kids filling the six new classrooms in the industry-changing Missoula Child Care Advantage. Some child care slots are still available, and waiting lists are adding names. This innovative network was recently highlighted in the national publication The Hechinger Report. Read about it here.
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United Way at the center of July windstorm recovery
As Missoula County’s nonprofit partner during emergencies and disasters, we established outreach and volunteer opportunities immediately following the July 25 storm, working closely with Missoula County’s Office of Emergency Management, Missoula Parks and Recreation, Team Rubicon, Crisis Clean Up, Red Cross, and Missoula Organization of Realtors.
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Nominate for Philanthropy Day awards
Our Missoula Nonprofit Center is celebrating Philanthropy Day on Nov. 14. Nominations are open for these awards:
- Outstanding Philanthropist
- Outstanding Fundraising Professional
- Outstanding Volunteer
- Outstanding Young Philanthropist or Volunteer
- Outstanding Business or Foundation
- Outstanding Nonprofit Organization
Make your nomination today.
Thank you Blackfoot Communications for sponsoring Philanthropy Day!
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Project Tomorrow Montana helps stem the tide of suicides in Missoula County
Data from January to August of 2022, 2023, and 2024 show a steady decline in Missoula County suicide deaths. This reflects a promising trend as we approach the winter season.
United Way’s Project Tomorrow Montana is dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing vital resources to those affected by suicide. We empower the community to recognize warning signs, offer support, and promote open conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
In the past year alone, Project Tomorrow trained 500 individuals in suicide-prevention skills, enabling participants to recognize and respond to signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
The increasing number of calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, implemented in Montana in 2022, reflects our community’s growing awareness and willingness to seek help. The new Riverwalk Crisis Receiving Center, greater access to Mobile Support Teams, and reducing access to lethal means through gun locks also all contribute to the declining suicide rate.
Learn more about the vital work of Project Tomorrow Montana by visiting our website here. If you or a loved one are in need of a free gunlock for your firearms, please fill out this form.
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Susan Hay Patrick
Chief Executive Officer
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