United Way of Dane County's mission is to unite and focus the community to create measurable results in improving people's lives and strengthening our community.

Description:

Our values are the tools we use to carry out our mission of building a strong community:

• Respect the dignity of all people
• Offer the people of Dane County the opportunity to improve their community through United Way
• Promote and support volunteerism as a vital community resource
• Promote involvement by and guidance from all members of our diverse community in all aspects of our work
• Help people to become self-sufficient or achieve their maximum potential
• Recognize and address the needs of our donors
• Value our partnership with agencies, local government and other community institutions
• Promote efficient human services that demonstrate results
• Are accountable for the use of all resources
• Are open to new opportunities in conducting our business
• Provide a positive working environment where volunteers and employees take pride in quality, meaningful work

History:
Last year, 80 United Way volunteers spent more than 1,000 hours seeking input from the community to determine how to best address Dane County's most critical social issues. United Way's new focus is an exciting way for us as a community to measure results at scale and seek solutions to our most pressing needs, and not quick-fix solutions. In order to address those needs, we have developed an Agenda for Change that speaks about what matters.

STUDENTS OF COLOR ACHIEVE AT THE SAME RATE AS WHITE STUDENTS & CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR AND HAVE FUN AS THEY BECOME PREPARED FOR SCHOOL. Children of color were consistenly scoring below grade level on third-grade literacy tests. Literacy at this point is crucial because children "learn to read" through third grade and "read to learn" in the following grades. A team of partners, led by United Way, came together to determine what methods were creating positive results. Literacy tutoring was indentified as a proven strategy. Last year, with the participation of nearly 1,000 volunteer tutors, the racial achievement gap closed from 28.5 percent to 12 percent for African-American students.

PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. United Way is providing health care, including dental care, for the 32,000 Dane County residents who are uninsured.

THERE IS A DECREASE IN HOMELESSNESS AND MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS AVAILABLE. United Way is working on numerous solutions to end homelessness and provide more affordable housing. By offering classes on financial management and providing assistance with people struggling to make ends meet, United Way is working to keep people in their homes and end homelessness for thousands of Dane County residents, 50 percent of which are children.

SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES. We provide support for seniors and those with disabilities so that they can remain in their homes and remain independent. With skyrocking nursing home costs, for a minimum amount of time and funding, seniors and those with disabilites receive assistance with home chores and caretakers are given valued respite care.

THERE IS A REDUCTION IN VIOLENCE TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. We are tackling domestic violence at its core, by providing educational information in challenged neighborhoods where a number of offenders are rejoining their families and communities after incarceration. Resources are also being used in neighborhood centers, high school programs, child care programs and agencies that serve youth.

STRENGTHEN NON-PROFIT AGENCIES AND VOLUNTEERS AS PARTNERS IN ACHIEVING MEASUREABLE RESULTS. With 1,400 non-profits in Dane County alone, and a nearly 20 percent turnover rate in five years, non-profits and their volunteers need help in making change in our community. United Way provides workshops and trainings for non-profit board members and executives.

Contact person: Kayla Bechtel, (608) 246-5484, (email)
Office fax number: 608-246-4349

Address:

PO Box 7548 Madison, WI 53707

Web Site: http://www.unitedwaydanecounty.org

Directions:

Due the nature of our work, United Way 2-1-1 is located in a undisclosed location. Potential volunteers will be given the physical address, along with directions, when they set up an introductory meeting with a 2-1-1 staffperson.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: none