LIVE UNITED Y’All!

by Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

Ok, I am not going to share a diatribe about the allegiance I feel for the University of Louisville Cardinals…we can save that for another post. I am talking literally about my blood. The blog-goddess aka Erin at Metro United Way suggested this month we share posts that reflect a commentary on diversity. Hence, I have given “diversity” a lot of thought. It’s posed a bit of challenge for me and I think I have come to figure out why. You see my inclination when I meet people is to readily start seeking ways we are similar and I strive to overlook or ignore differences. Whether it is race, religion, culture, politics, work styles…in my day to day life, like you, I encounter “diverse” people (aren’t we all?) everyday but actually seem to usually notice more quickly ways that we are alike rather than different.

This approach is pretty good for me usually but is not beneficial when it comes to blood. You see we do really ALL bleed red blood but, our diversity is in fact represented in our unique blood. In the blood-giving world diversity is truly very, very important and something that is not to be ignored. It is life-saving in fact.

Because we live in a diverse world there is also a need for that “diverse” red blood.  Certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. Therefore it is essential that a blood donor’s diversity match the patient diversity. For example, U-negative and Duffy-negative blood types are unique to the African American community. When blood is closely matched patients are at a lower risk for complications. For this reason, it is extremely important to increase the number of available blood donors in our community from all ethnic groups, minority and diverse populations.

If you would like to help make a difference, check in and see  for yourself if you bleed red blood too, then mark your calendar and spread the word. The American Red Cross bloodmobile will be hosted at PBI Bank on March 1^st from 11:30 am to 4:40 pm, at 2500 Eastpoint Parkway. This is one easy life-saving way to support a Metro United Way partnership where everyone wins and it will feel good to be a part of helping save lives – and add to a diverse supply of blood being available in our community. Bring a friend.  PBI Bank employees in our community LIVE UNITED by sharing the opportunity to give, advocate and volunteer and they are excited to support the community by hosting this upcoming blood drive.

Advocacy, Events, Giving, Health diversity, Donate Blood, PBI Bank, University of Louisville

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

If you’re like me, every year you resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise, quit a habit… Health is no doubt very important but what about other areas of our life where we may be less accustomed to setting a resolution. Do you include these too? What about resolving on some things that will also positively impact and improve the lives of others? Would you gain a sense of accomplishment from resolutions for others as much as you feel like you would from your personal ones like exercising more or losing 15 lbs?

Here are a few thoughts on other resolutions that, simple and obvious as they seem, can truly help improve your life and the lives of all in 2011. 

Give:  In order to either start giving or increase what you currently give then you will want to make sure you have something to give, right?  Giving a charitable donation is meaningful for yourself and those who are helped -whether you decide to support many causes and spread out your generosity or make a significant investment in work that matters to you—the bottom line is still the same. Steps to help you increase your giving might include increasing your financial stability, eliminating credit card debt and saving.   Looking for inspiration? Check out Carlo at Living Philanthropic. Carlo is a man of modest means but he vowed to give to charity every single day for one year. His mission is you only need to be rich in spirit and is built on a belief everyone can make a difference. He gives everyday. He is very cool in my book.

Advocate: Find your passion and share your opinions. Sign a Pledge to support education and check out how things might really change in your region if educational attainment was improved. Sustainable progress often requires changes in public policy. Do you know who your legislators are? Why not reach out to them? Join the campaign for the common good and work with United Way in your community and across the nation to cut the high school drop out rate in half. If you are still reading this then you could probably also thank a teacher.

Volunteer:  Resolve to give more of your time.  Whether it is an hour a week or an hour a month there are so many ways that you could honor and keep a new year’s resolution around volunteering. Have you checked out the needs lately in our community? Curious about the homeless population in our community? Want to help? Start here.

Advocacy, Education, General, Giving, Health, Income, Volunteering

Judy Schroeder 

In this season of giving, when we care so much that every child has a gift, do we need to remember that the best gift we ever give is the love that child needs so much?

I was in a remarkable gathering on my birthday this month. Yes, my family and friends are most remarkable, and I was blessed with very loving parents. But I was thinking about the group of parents I visited with that morning.

“2Not1.” Can you guess what it means? 

It’s actually a great title because it says exactly what it means:  Children deserve two parents, not only one.  Adults may have to live apart, but our children deserve both their fathers and their mothers as much as we, the adults of this world, can make that happen. 

There’s even a rising national movement among fathers who are creatively reclaiming their parenting role after separation from their child’s mother.

According to the National Drop-Out Prevention Center, parent engagement still makes the critical difference in young people’s lives. Students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, are more likely to do better, try harder, be more involved, have better social skills, and finally graduate from school to hold jobs with incomes almost $10,000 better each year than the students who gave up and dropped out. Unfortunately, the National Principals Association also reports that 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. 

It’s just that much harder to be an involved parent when you are the only adult paying attention.

That’s why the extended family and community supports for both parents in a child’s life are so important.  

Empowering parents to support a child’s success is the best and longest-lasting gift we can give a child. That’s what we do in the Gheens Bridges to Tomorrow program. That’s what is working for Shawn Gardner as he organizes 2Not1. That’s why we ask every parent of an infant or toddler to fill out the Ages & Stages Questionnaire. That’s why our Neighborhood Engagement is focused on building Parent Networks. 

Loving, involved parents give a gift that lasts.

Advocacy, Education, General, Giving Children, Community, Education, Louisville, Neighborhoods, parenting

Judy Schroeder

Thanks-Living.  Did I get your attention?  I’m not trying to be cute. 

It just occurs to me that this wonderful holiday event of  Thanksgiving is small compared to the “thanks-living” opportunity we have every day of our lives.   

That might not be the best thing to say right now if you are running to get your house set up for the family or cooking the turkey and fixin’s all night! Quite big enough?  …YES, and much appreciated!

Just know that from here at Metro United Way we get to see the work y’all do all year long as volunteers, donors, and advocates for others.  You are so important!

The last time I was at Parkway Place Housing,  I saw the Dare to Care Mobile Pantry delivering staples. The delivery crew was down to only potatoes, but the remaining Somali-Bantu women gathered pounds and pounds of those up in the folds of colorful scarves and skirts, carrying them home wrapped on their backs like babies, planning the next few weeks’ meals. 

Yesterday I was there again in the home of the president of the Somali-Bantu Association, plotting how we could extend their self-help organization even further.  This time, I am even more impressed at how circles of caring people wrap around each other:   our broad community of donors, advocates and volunteers in business and labor ~ wrap around the donors, advocates and volunteers in our agencies and community efforts ~ which wrap around more donors,  advocates and volunteers in community organizations and families ~ who want to be strong enough again to “give back” as healthy, smart, hard-working community members.

That’s what I mean by Thanks-living, the caring community.  All year, every day that we work together is a way of giving thanks for gifts shared. 

So, prepare the feast!  Especially if, for now, it’s potato and turkey stew.  Eat United! LIVE UNITED!

General, Giving, Volunteering Community, community change, Giving, immigrants, Live United, Neighborhoods

By Erin McMahon

Whether you’re celebrating or mourning the outcomes of yesterday’s elections, there’s one thing we can all agree on – and that’s LIVING UNITED by giving, advocating or volunteering through Metro United Way.

I want to thank Greg Fischer, Jackie Green and Hal Heiner for LIVING UNITED by lending their support to us through the production of the video below.

And – thank YOU, dear readers for sticking with us on this blog. Extra big thank-yous if you share this blog with someone today!

Advocacy, Giving, Volunteering Live United, Louisville Mayor-elect, mayoral candidates, mayoral race

One of my favorite tunes of all times is the Supertramp song that was re-made several years ago by the Goo Goo Dolls - “Give a Little Bit.”  Yeah, I guess I am showing my age here – the original goes back to 1977, but the lyrics are still relevant.  If everyone were focused on giving a little bit of their time, their voice, and their money to help others, I am convinced that many of the challenges we face would be greatly reduced.

I’ll always remember a three day weekend I spent in San Francisco back in 2004 with my buddy Ernie.  We flew to the West Coast to participate in a leadership development workshop and intentionally arrived early to soak in the beauty of the area and spend some time with the local people.

We headed to one of my favorite districts, Haight Ashbury, so we could walk in the footsteps of so many talented musicians of the sixties.  After we grabbed some ice cream and took a seat on a less-crowded street corner bench, we noticed a gray haired gentleman with very few teeth strumming some classic rock tunes on his guitar and belting out the lyrics with an amazingly clear and captivating voice.   We walked over to get a closer look, made eye contact, and smiled.  Between songs we chatted with him.

John shared his name and a little bit of his life with us.  He was homeless, living in a tent in Golden Gate Park.  He was hungry and was playing for money to buy some food.  He was trying to take care of his daughter who had recently moved to his campsite.  Baked beans helped fill their bellies.

We asked him if we could sing a little bit with him.  Ernie is a talented musician with a good voice.   I have absolutely NO musical talent (ask UPS employees) but still try, nonetheless.  Together, we must have sounded okay because a small crowd soon gathered, voiced their approval, and gave a little bit of their money.

After about five songs, John smiled at us, thanked us for joining him, and said he was going to head back to his camp.  He said his daughter’s stomach had been hurting from lack of food, and he said he had collected more money playing that short time with us than he had made in quite awhile.  He thanked us for spending a little bit of time with him, and he was going to buy some baked beans and bread.

When I reflect back on my life, some of my most fulfilling moments are times when I connected with someone who, on the surface, appeared very different from me.  The memory of being on that street corner a couple of thousand miles from home with John, someone who had obviously endured many losses in his lifetime, will always stand out for me.

My first thought about being a donor to Metro United Way and being a volunteer in our community is having a sense of fulfillement and connection.  Doing something that makes a difference in the life of another person, even something very small like the brief time I spent with John,  makes a memorable and lasting difference for ME.  “Give a little bit” – and gain a lot!

“Now is the time we need to share.”  We all see the statistics – unemployment hovering around 10%, more people in our country living in poverty now than ever before, young children entering school ill-equipped to learn and not graduating from high school on time, if at all. 

In tough economic times, for those of us who are able, we need to reach even deeper into our hearts and our wallets to help friends, family, neighbors, and even “the man with the lonely eyes.”  So join me in giving a little bit of your time, your money,  your love, to make a positive difference for guys like John right here at home. 

“So find yourself, we’re on our way back home. Going home. Don’t you need to feel at home?”

Give to Metro United Way!

Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Give a little bit
I’ll give a little bit of my love to you
There’s so much that we need to share
Send a smile and show you care
I’ll give a little bit
I’ll give a little bit of my love to you
So give a little bit
Give a little bit of your time to me
See the man with the lonely eyes
Take his hand, you’ll be surprised
Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
I’ll give a little bit of my love for you
Now’s the time that we need to share
So find yourself, we’re on our way back home
Going home
Don’t you need to feel at home?
Oh yeah, we gotta sing

General, Giving Giving, homeless, hunger, making a difference, Metro United Way, Volunteer

My husband and I recently sat down to re-evaluate our yearly budget.  Budgeting is nothing new for me…I have always understood the importance of budgeting and saving.  And, I’m really good at sticking to the budget…until, that is, Macy’s has one of thier really great sales!  It’s all downhill from there. 

But that was the old me.  The new me (thanks to my husband) has a new appreciation of the budget and the importance of sticking with it even when Macy’s dangles an impossible-to-pass-up sale in front of my face.  Being newly married and thinking about starting a family has definitely changed my relationship with the budget…I have a new respect for the budget and how it can impact my family’s future. 

Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m not perfect and still struggle to restrain myself, but for the most part I am committed to my monthly spending budget.  HOWEVER, this last conversation has left me shocked.  While I am spending well within my budget, I realized that I spend money on really stupid things!  For example, every morning (with occasional exceptions) I stop by the corner gas station for a 24 oz cup of coffee.  Ok, get ready for this…almost $2.00/day = $10.00/week = $500.00/year…on coffee…OUTRAGEOUS!!! 

I began thinking to myself, what can I do differently with this money?  As it turns out, $500.00 can do quite a bit of good in this community.  According to Metro United Way’s 2010 Resource Guide, a little can go a very long way.  This is great news for those of us who want to give (small or large amounts), but are unsure how our money is helping.  See for yourself…

“EVERYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Metro United Way 2010 Resource Guide

“Whether you’re able to give $2 a week or $10,000 a year, your contributions will have an important impact on people’s lives…”

To learn more about giving, click here.

To check out Metro United Way’s 2010 – 2011 Community Campaign Video, click here.

General, Giving budgeting, coffee

By Judy Schroeder

Anybody play BINGO? I used to love Bingo on a Friday night, with my Grandmother in the church basement. Oh yes, the smoke-filled basement with gray-haired ladies who love a child who will fetch more cards for them! Easy tips. Especially from those lucky winners who heard the caller sing out that last number on their sheet, and it lined up so perfectly across the columns on the page: B-I-N-G-O.

Well, on some days I can still get that excitement – in much healthier, smoke-free church basements – when the right people come together for the right reasons, and discover ideas that are right for their families and friends.

Two weeks ago, I was at Greater Friendship Baptist Church, in the California neighborhood of West Louisville, with fifteen young mothers, their children and grandmothers, listening to their ideas and hopes for their children’s future. They are using a little tool called the Ages & Stages Questionnaire to learn more about how to help their children learn.

Ladies and gentlemen, we had a “B-I-N-G-O!”

Because trustworthy relationships take time, a few years ago when I had the pleasure of meeting Gwen Kelly from the California neighborhood I could only hope that our work together would begin to make a difference. At that time the neighborhood had one of the worst reputations in the City for youth violence. Could we expect to see more young adults owning their neighborhood in a positive way, as young moms, dads, and community workers just a few years later?

Never underestimate the power of people who care.

In this case those people were Gwen and her neighbors, Ms. Robbie Bell and Dreema Jackson with many others, with the help of a couple of great nonprofit organizations who had your support through Metro United Way. The Community Farm Alliance had just published the West Louisville Food Assessment (BridgingTheDivide.pdf) that revved up all of the community conversation you may be hearing about inner-city “food deserts” and healthy farm-to-community solutions. We started a Farmers Market that brought the community together around Victory Park, where many people had said no one even had enough money or interest for healthy food. The new California Collaborative hired Michael Dean, who also lives facing the park. Four years and many more people later, the California Farmers’ Market sells produce out of raised-bed gardens cultivated by neighborhood youth on land provided by New Directions Housing Corporation/Neighborhood Initiatives and sold at Victory Park every Saturday morning this summer.

Victory Park is being reclaimed for children and families. Community institutions like Greater Friendship Baptist Church and neighbors like Ms. Robbie, Michael Dean, and Gwen are going for a “cover-all” to turn their neighborhood around! Their children and grandchildren will have the benefit.

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a B-I-N-G-O!

General, Giving, Health, Volunteering "California Neighborhood", "Community Conversations", "Farmers Markets", "Vital Neighborhoods", Ages & Stages Questionnaires, success

by Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

At Metro United Way we spend a fair amount of time sharing stories with one another. I think one reason we do this is because stories make us all feel good about the work we do each day. Stories of lives changed and opportunities created help us feel successful in our role and contributions. Even more importantly, stories are important in helping us communicate with you just exactly how you make a difference and together in our community we are advancing the common good.

Our stories include the people and organizations who bring passion, expertise and resources together with Metro United Way to get things done in our community.

Here is one recent brief story that flew into my Outlook Inbox in March from Ron Jackson one of the talented leaders in the Community Impact department. Ron is the director of the Bridges to Tomorrow initiative –and he has a smile that will light up a room –yes, I do digress.

The enthusiastic email from Ron read in part “I am so excited about the progress made by Sandra and others involved in Gheens Bridges to Tomorrow. There is nothing more pleasing than to see one of the Family Leaders become inspired by what they learn in this project and then act on a dream they have had for years.”   

Ron’s email told the story of Sandra (a single mother in our community) who became involved in Metro United Way’s Gheens  Bridges to Tomorrow program in 2009. In the program, she had the opportunity to complete a Financial Stability workshop led by PNC Bank volunteer instructors in March of 2009.

I am sure you would agree the purchase of a home is a long term dream for most. It is easier for some than others, and not considered possible by still others. Sandra however did dream bigger. She shared a dream for herself and her family. Through the Bridges to Tomorrow, Sandra created what’s called a family success plan and in it she included her dream of purchasing a home. In the program she becomes identified as the “Family Leader”. Sandra identified and then focused on what she needed to do to reach the dream. She worked from her budget and created a savings plan. She had encouragement and a new-found support system with a “Family Coach” working with her to transform her life. After twelve months, in March of 2010 she purchased a home!

Sandra’s success story and accomplishment of this dream allows also for a transformation in her life and that of her 3 year old son. There is a 3 year old boy now who will have a greater chance at being prepared and ready for kindergarten and to be successful in school. He now has an engaged and empowered parent who knows how to dream and achieve goals.

The story continues as does Sandra’s involvement in Gheens Bridges to Tomorrow, but the odds for further success have just tipped much greater in the favor of Sandra and her little boy!

What other things in life do you think are a part of the american dream?

Education, General, Giving, Income, Volunteering First time home owner, Gheens Bridges to Tomorrow, PNC

Do you remember your first day of school?  I still remember mine.  I was barely 5 years old and didn’t know anyone in my classroom.  I was nervous and confused. I couldn’t understand why I had to sit in my chair when there were so many toys throughout the room that I could be playing with.  Or why I had to have “nap time” when I would have rather been watching my favorite cartoons at home.  In short, it was a stressful day. 

The transition to kindergarten isn’t an easy one for kids.  But we can make it as smooth as possible by making sure the children in our community are prepared when they arrive.  It is our long-term goal that by 2018 all children in our community will be prepared to enter kindergarten.  How can you help?

I’m so glad you asked!  This year, 25 area schools in Jefferson and Floyd Counties will hold Camp Kindergartens.  During Camp Kindergarten children will be able to meet their teacher, take a tour of their school and learn bus safety – all to prepare them for their first day of school!  Soon-to-be kindergarteners will also receive backpacks and school supplies that they will use throughout the year. 

This is where you come in!  Your workplace or civic group can participate by adopting a Camp Kindergarten school or classroom and collecting the needed supplies for them.  You might even be able to volunteer on the day of your site’s Camp Kindergarten and see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they get their backpacks.

Just click here for a list of schools and instructions on how to get involved!

Education, General, Giving, Volunteering