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IMPACT MATTERS…
By strategically investing in specific areas and agencies that have shown their impact, the Northwoods United Way makes the most of donor investments. Consider the following impact areas:
Providing Basic Needs and Self Sufficiency:
The Community Food Pantry provided 730 individuals with food during 2006. An individual investment of $5.00 per pay period helped feed six of them…that is only $.36 per day. Can you imagine, by just doubling your investment, you could help 12 hungry people in the Northwoods?
With so much unsecured debt and home foreclosures on the rise, the National United Way has developed their Financial Stability program. Locally, Northwoods Saves uses their United Way allocation to help over 1000 clients reach their financial goals. By conducting employee seminars, teaching financial responsibility, savings techniques, home buying tips and financial planning, they are teaching self-sufficiency right here in the Northwooods. Your United Way donation makes it possible for individuals and families to receive free, confidential assistance thus having a true impact in the Northwoods by making our community more financially sound.
Promoting Health, Healing & Crisis Intervention:
An investment in United Way helps to curb the incidence of domestic abuse. Professionals at the Lac du Flambeau Domestic Abuse Program show a reduction of 8% in their shelter use over the past year. They have proven their impact on the community by using United Way dollars to educate the abuser. While still providing shelter and safe-haven to the abused, the organization partners with local law enforcement to hold classes for the abuser. Abusers are being taught anger management, healing and tolerance. Added together, this approach has shown results that are having a ripple effect on the extended families.
ADD, ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Bi-Polar, Depression. These terms have become common place in today’s society, but to families dealing with them, it is anything but. Wisconsin Family Ties provides counseling, healing, advocacy and crisis intervention to the 11% of families in our population that deal with these disorders. They served more than 240 families of more than 1000 children in our area. It is known that children with these types of disorders are more likely to engage in addictive behavior. It is also proven that to engage the child early on, learn all you can and help them to re-direct can save them a life-time of trouble with addictions and law enforcement. Wisconsin Family Ties provides the tools necessary to accomplish this.
Strengthening Children, Youth and Families:
Nationally, Success by 6 has been a focus for United Way. Locally, First Books for Kids promotes the Success by 6 agenda by addressing early childhood literacy. Run by a core of committed volunteers, the program introduces books and reading to pre-schoolers in the Northwoods. Volunteers read the story to the children, but wait…this is the best part….after the story, the children all receive their very own copy of the book…to take home! With your $25 investment in United Way, you helped pay for a complete set of 9 books for one child. That’s less that $.50 a WEEK! That one child learned to listen to a story, write their name in their own book, care for their book, share their book with their family and encourage siblings and parents to read to them. Area partnerships and donations, such as that from the United Way, have allowed this program to reach more than 500 area children. Want to reach more? Increase your donation and volunteer to read today!
Tolerance is learned behavior. We live in the Northwoods where most would say that racism does not exist…or does it? Lakeland Union High School’s Journey Program hits this topic head on. They address race relations between American Indians and Whites by doing hands on activities that build trust, establish group cooperation and peer support, build team support and train leaders. This program engages almost 1/3 of the entire LUHS student population. The group consists of about half American Indian and half White with more than 80% of those participating coming from families affected by alcohol, drugs and/or domestic abuse. By helping to support intercultural leadership, the gap of understanding is narrowing and this program is showing huge success.
Information and Referral Services:
Finding the service you need can be a challenge. We at the Northwoods United Way believe it is vital to connect those in need with the services that will best help. Enter 2-1-1. This is a comprehensive database of information and referral services compiled and updated by United Way of Marathon County. For information on area services or volunteer opportunities, call 2-1-1 from your landline phone or 800-922-5590 from your cellphone or visit the website at http://www.unitedwaymc/211.htm.
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GET YOUR GOLF ON! Mark your calendars NOW for our upcoming Family Golf Day on June 16, 2012! Being held this year at the St. Germain Golf Club & the 19th Hole, there is something for everyone. You can golf in an 18-Hole Scramble, 9 Holes or shoot a round of Mini Golf with your family. Click 
The Northwoods United Way is a member in good standing of the United Way of American and adheres to all of their stringent membership requirements. We strive toward excellence and use proven techniques and best practices. The Northwoods United Way believes in being fully transparent and welcomes your questions regarding our efficiency.