OPEN YOUR HEART
LEND YOUR MUSCLE
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Community Investment Strategy
The United Way understands you want to make a difference here in Elkhart County. We help you do that. Your United Way contribution goes to work immediately to bring about lasting change, right where you live. The United Way’s mission is to improve the community over the long-term. Each year, hundreds of volunteers raise and distribute funds to innovative programs throughout the county. Our goal is long lasting change by focusing on the underlying problems.
Our Planning Process
| 1. Identify the need |  |
Every day, the United Way addresses on-going needs (hunger, childcare), but other needs change (affordable prescriptions, home ownership training). The United Way works with the community to identify emerging needs. Tools used to identify needs include surveys, research and community dialogue sessions.
| 2. Build the Strategy |  |
If an emerging need is identified, the United Way begins talking with the people and organizations involved. Who has the most experience with this issue? What does the research say? What resources does the community have? As the issue becomes clearly identified, the United Way organizes the community resources and shapes a strategy.
| 3. Mobilize the Resources |  |
For a strategy to work, the United Way has to get others involved; volunteers, government officials, educators, and civic leaders. A good idea isn’t enough. For a community to really change, it takes a lot of people. The United Way reaches out to anyone who can help.
| 4. Measure the Impact |  |
Not all strategies work right the first time. The United Way understands success has to be gauged and the results have to feed the process of continual improvement. Solving community challenges isn’t simply about success or failure. We have to learn as we go and build on each success.
WHY LIVE UNITED.
When we reach out a hand to one we influence the condition of all.
When you give to the United Way, you're lending a hand to your neighbors, family and friends who live right here in Elkhart County.
When we LIVE UNITED... Elkhart County does more... it's that simple.
EDUCATION.
Helping children and youth achieve their potential.
- Kindergarten Readiness
Readiness to succeed in school means children enter kindergarten developmentally on track. - Elementary Readiness
Reading on grade-level by fourth grade means elementary students are prepared to succeed in later grades and to graduate from high school - High School Graduation
Academic achievement is reflected in one-time high school graduation rates
Click here to see how we're meeting these goals.
INCOME.
Promoting financial stability and independence.
- Adult Education
How can adults best engage with post-high school learning opportunities to, in two years or less, move from a low-skill job to a middle skill job? - Financial Literacy
How can a family best learn the fundamental money skills they need to successfully meet their basic needs? - Savings & Assets
How can a family best develop the assets they need to remain financially stable during changes in income, illness or other events.
Click here to see how we're meeting these goals.
HEALTH.
Improving people's health.
- Dental
Untreated dental health problems interfere with the ability to learn, eat and work. - Hunger
If a person is hungry, everything else in life becomes a challenge. - Medical Self-Advocacy
How can a family best learn the fundamental skills they need to successfully navigate a difficult diagnosis?
Click here to see how we're meeting these goals.
