Newsletter | July 17, 2023
Teaming up for our community
United Way of Southeastern Idaho and Read Talk Play hosting Reading in the Outfield on July 25
United Way of Southeastern Idaho and Read Talk Play are inviting Pocatello families to come July 25 at 6:30 p.m. for a Reading in the Outfield with the Gate City Grays. The first 100 kids will receive a copy of the book being read by a Grays team member and a special edition Read Talk Play-Ball t-shirt.

Come out and join in on the fun!
United Way of Southeastern Idaho hosts Day of Action
More than 150 community members gave back to the community during United Way of Southeastern Idaho’s 2023 Day of Action – a local day of volunteerism for 13 nonprofit projects – held June 21. 

This annual event, which is part of a nationwide United Way effort to create meaningful impact in each region, brings community members together to volunteer on one day in order to have one big impact in the region.

“You don't realize how much help some of our organizations need until you volunteer,” said Jamie Carter, a Day of Action volunteer from Chubbuck. “It's very satisfying knowing that you've been able to help.”

This year’s nonprofits served during Day of Action included Family Services Alliance, Pocatello Senior Center, Aid for Friends, Idaho Zoo, Shelley Senior Center, New Day Products, Pocatello Fire and Police Departments, and various Pocatello public spaces. 
Channel 8: "United Way of Southeastern Idaho hosts day of volunteering" by Cole Sams
Sign up to become an official United Way volunteer!
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact in our community? Sign up to become an official United Way of Southeastern Idaho volunteer.
Teaming up for financial stability
United Way of Southeastern Idaho hosts 2023 Awards Lunch
United Way of Southeastern Idaho's 2023 Awards Lunch highlighted the powerful partnerships in the community that come together each year to fill the gaps of need for friends and neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet each month. Because of these efforts, 31,000 Southeastern Idaho households will be stronger in the coming year.

This event was an opportunity to provide a heartfelt thank you to United Way's corporate partners and nonprofit agencies for working tirelessly to create a stronger community for everyone.

2023 Awards Lunch Fabulous 15, companies that have an annual contribution of more than $15,000:
  • Battelle Energy Alliance at Idaho National Laboratory, no. 1 campaign in Idaho, contributing more than $635K across the eastern part of the state
  • Portneuf Health Trust, partnership in creating a healthier SE Idaho through annual generous donation
  • JR Simplot Don Plant, employee donations and corporate match resulted in more than $126K
  • Itafos, more than $35K in employee donations
  • Zachry Group, small contractor at Bayer in Soda Springs with a big impact of more than $30K
  • ICCU, matched employee donations at 100%
  • Health West, employees donated back to special services fund to make sure health is accessible to all
  • Farm Bureau, new member of Fab 15, had more than $20K increase from last year
  • Idaho Environmental Coalition, new member of Fab 15, continued in Fluor ID footsteps in creating impact across the region
  • City of Pocatello, led by Pocatello Fire Fighter Local 187
  • Costco, matched employee donations at 100%
  • Idaho State University, led the state in campaign giving over all other state universities in Idaho.
  • Intermountain Gas, new member of Fab 15, highest percent of giving in the campaign

2023 Awards Lunch special awards:

  • Heart of the Community – Farm Bureau
  • Most Engaged Corporate Partner – Citizens Community Bank
  • All Star Engagement Team – Simplot Don Plant
  • Above and Beyond Corporate Award – Itafos
  • Board Service Recognition – Jim Downes
Teaming up for health
KPVI News: "United Way of Southeastern Idaho hosts Community Health Fair" by Matt Davenport
United Way of Southeastern Idaho hosts first Community Health Fair
United Way of Southeastern Idaho hosted its first Community Health Fair, where fifteen organizations tabled to share free health program resources with local families and individuals.

“We were so excited to get free resources from incredible local nonprofits with health programs into the hands of our local families,” said Amy Wuest, Director of Health at United Way. “At United Way, health is a key focus area, in addition to education and financial stability, and health can sometimes feel inaccessible or intimidating to our ALICE families.”

United Way of Southeastern Idaho serves ALICE, which stands for asset-limited, income constrained and employed, and is 44 percent of Southeastern Idahoans; many make above the poverty line (so do not qualify for federal resources), but do not earn enough to make ends meet. 

Nonprofit partners in attendance for tabling and sharing resources included: Southeast Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center; Pocatello Free Clinic; Bannock Youth Foundation; Southeastern Idaho Public Health; Health West; Portneuf Wound Care and Hyperbarics; Idaho State University Community Health Worker Training Program; The Center for Hope South; Family Services Alliance; Idaho Central Credit Union; Valley Mission; A New Hope; City of Pocatello - Neighborhood and Community Services; and Area V Agency on Aging.
Ride United provides more than 2,500 miles of free rides over last six months
Over the last six months, United Way of Southeastern Idaho has provided more than 2,500 miles worth of free rides to community members in need for doctor appointments, dental care, wellness counseling and more. That's enough miles to travel across the country!

June 2023 has been the biggest month so far, when Ride United provided 369 rides totaling more than 1,686 miles.

Ride United, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Idaho and led by United Way of Southeastern Idaho, gives free transportation for health-related activities for community members who are patients of the Pocatello Free Clinic, the South East Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center, the Hope, Recovery Resource Center, and D6 Treatment. Ride United is funded through a Get Healthy Idaho grant from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Teaming up for education
Channel 8: "Lincoln Center students gifted shoes for the summer" by Cole Sams
United Way of Southeastern Idaho and Women United distribute 180 pairs of shoes to preschoolers in need
United Way of Southeastern Idaho and its Women United group raised $4,500 to distribute 180 pairs of shoes for every Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 Head Start preschooler at the Lincoln Early Childhood Center.

"I was so excited about how much our community stepped up to help these kids," said Lincoln Center Family Service Manager Karlia Lopez. "They don't even know that there were children in our community who were in need and they were willing to donate shoes, money, whatever we needed to be able to make sure that we had what we needed for the kids."

Lopez says it was special to see their reactions when they received them. 

"It felt so good to see their smiles," Lopez said. "They were so excited to just have a new pair of shoes and be able to choose those shoes, and their eyes just lit up."
The United Way of Southeastern Idaho team recently celebrated the departure and official retirement of Bannock County Early Learning Collaborative Coordinator Drema Carnaroli (center, white shirt).
Drema Green-Carnaroli leaves United Way of Southeastern Idaho's education team
Drema Carnaroli, who has helped United Way of Southeastern Idaho scale its early education programs, is leaving the United Way team for official retirement.

Over the last six months, Drema has helped United way facilitate education collaborative meetings, execute grant-funded programs and initiatives and build countless strong relationships in early learning. Thanks to her passion and dedication, United Way is well positioned to continue meeting the needs of early education in Southeastern Idaho.
Inside United Way of Southeastern Idaho
From left, at a recent Pocatello City Council meeting, staff members Wendi Ames (left) and Rainbow Maldonado (right) accepted the official Day of Action 2023 Dual Mayoral Proclamation from Mayor Brian Blad.
Interim Director of Education talks all things education on College of Technology podcast
Will you team up with us?
We are a leader, a collaborator, a supporter and - at times - a creator to solve complex community issues. Our all-women powerhouse team of nine punches above our weight, working every day to improve outcomes for children, families and individuals in need in our seven-county region. We find solutions through our community impact work, and we team up with powerful partners to create a healthier, more financially stable and educated Southeastern Idaho.
TEXT TO GIVE OPTION:
Text UWSEI TO 44-321
United Way of Southeastern Idaho 
101 N. Main St.
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 232-1389