United Way of Central Minnesota

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Thank you, child care providers! UWCM had a great time hosting the Child Care Provider Appreciation Night last Thursday in Melrose and in partnership with Milestones. We had positive feedback about the event and have plans to host another in the future.

United Way of Central Minnesota invests in programs that assist friends and neighbors with food insecurity. It may surprise you to know Minnesota ranks as the seventh worst state in the U.S. for access to healthy food. United Way’s Community Resiliency funding helps address that need and 95,249 individuals and families received food support through local food shelves during the last two years. #UWCMCommunityResiliency

Meet Community Literacy Support Specialist Jaelyn Owen. She will work within UWCM’s Youth Opportunity pillar to develop programming and make resources accessible. 📖 Jaelyn is a graduate student at St. Cloud State University. She has a very full life, but when she’s not working or studying, she likes to hang out with family and friends, spend time outdoors and watch or play sports. Her favorite quote is by Walt Disney: “There’s a great big, beautiful tomorrow at the end of every day.” That positivity aligns with Jaelyn’s passion for creating a life she loves—her bucket list includes traveling to all 50 states. We are glad you are part of the team, Jaelyn! Welcome!

United Way of Central Minnesota’s Healthy Community team hosted an in-person Navigator Network event 🔗 yesterday at St. Cloud Great River Regional Library. Navigators from across the area offered information and learned about housing and homelessness prevention resources in our community. Experts from Rise, Inc., Tri-County Action Program, Unified Social Services and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud shared about their programs with the network. #UWCMNavigatorNetwork #CollectiveImpact

October is Tackling Hunger Month. UWCM invests in Community Resiliency partners and programs that ensure Central Minnesotans who have food insecurity can access regular, nutritious meals. Thank you, Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Cloud, Salvation Army of St. Cloud and Benton County CROSS Center for helping alleviate hunger in our community. #TacklingHungerMonth #UWCMCommunityResiliency

Meet Paul Bowden, UWCM’s new manager of evaluation and reporting. Paul will work within our Youth Opportunity pillar with out-of-school programs. He will make meaning out of data and help us understand the influence our partners and programs have on the community we serve. When not working, Paul loves to garden and cook. “Any day when I go outside and pick veggies to make dinner is great day,” he says. Paul is dad to three young children, so it is no surprise that his favorite book is “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear” by Don and Audrey Wood. Welcome, Paul! We are so glad you are part of the team!

We welcome Director of Donor Engagement Jenny Theis to United Way of Central Minnesota! Jenny returns in a new role, having served UWCM from 2013 – 17 as a resource development manager. Jenny will work with donors and members who serve on the Leaders in Giving cabinet. When asked what she most likes about her work, she has this to say: “I love meeting and connecting with our community. I believe everyone has a story to tell. Learning people’s stories and then connecting them to opportunities that meet their passions excites me!” Besides connecting with the community, Jenny likes to read a good book in her easy chair, screen porch or on an airplane—pretty much anywhere. She also enjoys listening to the Normal Gossip podcast. Welcome, Jenny! We are so glad you are part of UWCM’s team!

We really appreciate all who participated in Day(s) of Caring 2024! And a special thanks to our VolunteerUNITED sponsor, @affinity-plus-federal-credit-union! 🎉

Today Senator Aric Putnam and Senator Bobby Joe Champion met with United Way of Central Minnesota child care partners and providers–including representatives from UWCM's Central Minnesota Child Care Response Fund committee–to discuss how state funds have been used locally and how more funding could really move the needle on this critical issue. #UWCMConnects #CollectiveImpact