LIVE UNITED Y’All!

Mary Ann Steutermann

Growing up, I was lucky to have parents and other family members interested in how I was doing in school and very supportive of my progress. Mom would give me snack when I got home from school, tell me to turn off the TV so I could get my homework done, and would check on how I did when I said I was finished. Dad was a big help with geometry and science by helping me come up with ideas for the science fair or making me practice geometric proofs even when I didn’t want to. I also had a special aunt that I go could to for support when I had personal problems that I didn’t want to talk to my parents about. Unfortunately though, not every kid has that kind of support or the parental support provided isn’t enough to meet the academic and personal challenges the kid faces. Often, something more is needed.

Youth mentoring has proven to be one of the most effective ways of improving both self-esteem and academic success for young people. But mentoring isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. In fact, there are about as many different types of mentor relationships as there are caring adults out there willing to work with kids. A mentor can help with homework, shoot hoops or play baseball, take a young person to the theater, or engage in any number of activities that can help boost self-esteem and confidence.

Making a Difference

Most importantly, mentoring is effective. Students who meet regularly with a caring adult mentor are 52% less likely than other students to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class during the school day. Likewise, young people in mentor relationships are 46% less likely to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol (National Mentoring Partnership – www.mentoring.org). Even more striking is the fact that minority youth are an amazing 70% less likely to begin drug use than those not in mentor relationships (Child Trends Research Brief).

Short-term gains from mentoring relationships include an improvement in the young person’s attitude about school; improved behavior at school; better relationships with parents, teachers, and peers; higher college enrollment and greater aspirations beyond high school; and improved decision-making, communication, social and relationship skills.

But the young people aren’t the only ones who benefit. Mentors report a greater satisfaction in their connection to the community and an increased sense of pride in making a positive contribution to the lives of at-risk youth. They also benefit from opportunities to develop new communication skills and further enhance their own strengths (www.nwrel.org/mentoring; Cori Brewster & Jennifer Fager, Sept. 1998).

Baby Steps

The great thing about being a mentor is that you can do it any way you like. Mentors can work through programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters or countless agencies that pair caring adults with kids in need of a helping hand. But what if you don’t have time for that kind of commitment? No problem! You can still make a contribution. Consider asking kids in your neighborhood or you friends’ children how they are doing in school. Ask about their interests, what they are learning, and what they want to be when they grow up. Encourage them to stay in school and to go to college. If you can be a mentor through a more formal relationship, super. But if not, just showing some concern for the kids you encounter is a way to make “mentoring” part of the culture in the Metro area and to show kids that plenty of adults out there want them to be successful and are willing to help.

Education, General, Volunteering Children, Education, making a difference, mentoring, Metro United Way, reading, Volunteer, youth

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

From the Bridgehaven website

By Patty Belden

I was recently invited to Bridgehaven Mental Health Services to attend a “Bridge Builder” lunch and learn.  I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.  I was aware of Bridgehaven, but I had never visited and didn’t know a great deal about their services.  All I really knew was that Bridgehaven worked with individuals suffering from mental illness.  What I didn’t know was that Bridgehaven offers much more than a service…they offer the chance to be part of a family.

Having never visited, I was not familiar with the campus and in true Patty-fashion I entered through the wrong door.  It was only seconds before I was greeted and offered assistance by two people (my confused look must have given me away as a visitor).  Everyone seemed to know that today was a Bridge Builder lunch and assumed that was why I was there.  To my surprise, I wasn’t just given directions to the room, but I was personally escorted by a client.  During the short walk I was thanked several times for visiting and asked repeatedly if I needed anything…what a great host!  Little did I know that later I would have the opportunity to hear this man’s personal story.

Upon entering the lunch room, I was warmly greeted again, offered a beverage and directed to my seat.  I was at a table with seven strangers…I assumed they were all here for the same reason that I was, to learn about Bridgehaven.  To my delight, the man, who had previously escorted me, came to our table and filled the eighth empty chair.  I also learned that of the eight, two were clients and three were volunteers.

The program began.  The welcome and thank you was nice and even included a personal story from the Executive Director…I was refreshed by her honesty and amazed that she was so comfortable to share her story.  However, nothing could have prepared me for the next piece of the program…several clients were going to share thier personal stories.

We sat captivated by this man and his story.  He was so open and so honest.  He talked about his struggle with alcoholism and his inability to form positive relationships.  He talked about hearing voices in his head.  Voices that put him down and made him feel worthless.  He drank alcohol to drown the voices, but it didn’t work.  They got louder and louder.  They became aggressive and threatening.  He drank more.  Because of his drinking, he was unable to keep a job, take care of himself, or build relationships.  He kept himself isolated.  What struck me the most was that this man didn’t realize that he was different.  He believed that everyone heard voices.  He didn’t know there was help out there.

When he talked about Bridgehaven, you could see the appreciation in his eyes and hear it in his voice.  He had found help.  He had found a family.

Bridgehaven’s services truly offer hope for the future by teaching the skills necessary to live, learn, work, and socialize.  These skills are taught through individual and group therapy as well as skill building activities.  Most importantly, Bridgehaven offers a family-like network of support.

Do you want to learn more about Bridgehaven or become involved as a volunteer?  Click here.

Do you know someone who could benefit from the services offered at Bridgehaven?  Click here.

Advocacy, General, Health, Volunteering Bridgehaven, mental health, Metro United Way agencies

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

Here’s a brief little quiz and my challenge to you. Take a moment as you read to think about these inspirational statements on education and as you do, see if you can match the correct statement to the person who made the statement. We will call our little game…“Who Said It?”  Here are your choices and you can use each only once:

Helen Keller, Mark Twain, Confucius, Aristotle, Ben Franklin, Malcolm Forbes, Lee Iacocca, John F. Kennedy, Steve ”Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Michael Jordan, Anonymous, Socrates, Malcolm X, Proverbs 12:1

1.  Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.

2.  Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.  Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.

3.  In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.

4.  If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

5.  The habits we form from childhood make no small difference, but rather they make all the difference.

6.   I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.

7.    The highest result of education is tolerance.

8.   To learn, you must want to be taught.

9.   Great minds discuss ideas, mediocre minds discuss events, small minds discuss personalities.

10.   The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.

11.   I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed.

12. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

13. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.

14.  If you think Education is expensive, try ignorance.   

15.  Wisdom begins with wonder.  

Answers: 1. Malcolm Forbes, 2. John F. Kennedy, 3. Lee Iacocca, 4. Ben Franklin, 5. Aristotle, 6. Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, 7. Helen Keller, 8. Proverbs 12:1, 9. Eleanor Roosevelt, 10. Mark Twain, 11. Michael Jordan, 12. Confucius, 13. Malcolm X, 14. Anonymous, 15. Socrates

How did you do? Is there one quote that you like the best of these? Thanks for playing!

Metro United Way focuses our efforts on the building blocks for a good life- a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. We know that helping children and youth achieve their potential will have a positive impact on our community for years to come. It all starts with Education and we have made a promise in our community. By 2018, we promise to make sure all children in our community are prepared for success in kindergarten and we are working to increase the high school graduation rate from 73% currently to 87%. To learn more about our work and the Education promise, visit our www.metrounitedway.org, check out Success by 6, Bridges to Tomorrow, Kids Count, or give us a call and together we will make a difference.

Advocacy, Education, General, Volunteering Bridges to Tomorrow, Community Youth Print, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Kids Count, Success By 6

By Patty Belden

I couldn’t wait to get off the school bus. The thirty minute ride was beginning to seem like a lifetime and I was bursting at the seams to share my good news.  It was 1987 and I was finishing my first week of first grade at St. Anthony’s Catholic School.  The sun was hot and my knee was stinging from a kickball mishap during morning recess.  My white uniform shirt was stained with chocolate milk and my perfect pigtails were no longer perfect.  My late arrival to the bus had forced me to share a seat with a fourth grader. This particular situation would usually fill me with anxiety causing me to slouch in my seat, tightly hug my backpack and pray she wouldn’t speak to me.  Fourth graders were cool and tough and talked about things that I didn’t understand.  My sister was in fourth grade that year.  I never understood her phone conversations with her other fourth grade friends.  And of course I never stood a chance of learning anything because she was quick to slam her bedroom door when I would try to eavesdrop.

Today was different though and none of those things mattered.  I might as well have been sitting next to a kindergartener.  I was sitting straight, confident, and smiling at the big news I was holding inside.  Nothing could bring me down today, because today I had become a Unicorn!   

I flew off the bus and darted through the yard.  When did our yard get so big?  The front door seems miles not yards away.  I burst through the door and screamed for my mom.  She must have mistaken my thrill for distress as she ran to my side, gathered my cheeks in her hands and asked if I was okay. I thought to myself, of course I’m ok. I am better than ok, I am GREAT.  I am a Unicorn!  The words rolled off my tongue so naturally, “I’m a Unicorn!”.  I couldn’t wait for her reaction.  Silence combined with a strange look and polite smile was all I got. 

Eventually my mother came to understand my life as a Unicorn.  She was very proud and encouraging.  I realize now that a little explanation would have resulted in a more enthused reaction…the “Unicorns” were the advanced-level reading group for St. Anthony’s first grade class. 

My passion for reading has carried on into my adult life and I can’t imagine life with out a good book.  I have to credit those supportive adults in my life who offered constant encouragement and made reading exciting.  As a tutor at Brooklawn Child & Family Services, I am able to share my love for reading with a child who may not otherwise receive that extra support. 

Are you passionate about reading, writing, or education in general?  Check out Metro United Way’s website for education-focused volunteer opportunities in our community. 

Education, Volunteering Brooklawn Child & Family Services, tutor, tutoring

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

By Michael Cordy

For all of my life I have been somewhat lucky and very fortunate. I was raised in a loving family, was taught to work hard, save money, treat others with respect and all will work out as planned. I was taught at an early age the value of hard work and always desired a big successful career and was taught that to be successful in life I had to be successful in my job. For many of us, our identity is wrapped up in what we do professionally and for me this was definitely the case. So for 20 plus years after college, my life was on track and it seemed fairly simple and straightforward “I have this down pat!”

I had everything one could want until one Monday last year this all changed.

In June of 2009, I lost my job due to no fault of my own – just a sign of the times. Although at the time it was difficult to process and I now had a lot of time on my hands, I was hopeful for the future and my next great job. I promised myself I would take sometime and “find myself.”  I took a few weeks to collect myself, reconnected with family, friends and past colleagues, took an exotic vacation, lost 25lbs and yet I still was left with a void. I thought this void was not having a job and kept believing this and knew that it would all fall into place when I landed my job.

So I worked harder, applied for more jobs, did more networking and kept trying to do more and more to land this very elusive perfect job. Each week I became more and more unsuccessful and more unhappy and I knew something had to change.  I knew I had to do something new, something unfamiliar, something to get outside of myself and then things would begin to fall into place. I wasn’t sure what this was but deep down I new I had to shift my focus to service work but didn’t know where to start.

This was totally unfamiliar territory for me. I was much more comfortable with talking about my experience and qualifications and past business wins than to be myself offering a level of service. After all, what service skills did I have? I was a private sector business guy and would much rather talk about my accomplishments in business, business strategy and negotiate deals than volunteering or connecting on nonprofit purpose levels.

It wasn’t until I attended a social function and met a couple of guys that have become both friends and mentors in the world of volunteering. Both were involved in local service organization in addition to their careers: one on the board of Metro United Way and the other on the board of House of Ruth. In our socializing, I said I had always wanted to get involved (and I had) but having the intentions and doing it were two very different things.

I think they saw through me at this point in taking the talk vs. walking the walk. So right then, I threw myself into the unknown and said “put me to work.” I didn’t care what I would be doing and had all intentions of doing the grass roots stuff- stuffing envelopes, painting a room, making calls etc.

I didn’t care what the task was I just wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, and most importantly, the process of rediscovering myself I was becoming humble again.

What came next was completely unexpected. They and a few others saw something in me that I had lost seeing in myself: a set of skills and level of confidence that is greatly needed in the service community. A few weeks later and after some introductions, I was asked to be on the House of Ruth Development Committee as well as the Metro United Way 2010 Campaign Cabinet, and just recently, the Board of Directors for House of Ruth. I had no idea my skills were needed and valued to these organizations in the work they do and the services they provide. These truly are gifts that have changed my focus and purpose in life.

I am still in job search mode but my priorities for what I want are much stronger. I believe I am a stronger candidate, I come across with more confidence, conviction and honesty than I have ever before and I know the right thing will come along. I have found a home here in Louisville through my service work and I am doing all that I can to stay and continue this work and hopeful the right job will come along.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story and I look forward to helping where I can. I also look forward to the rewarding experiences that will come in return. Doug, Rod, Linda, Beth, Kelly, Jill, Joel, the entire Metro United Way Staff and the entire House of Ruth Staff I am truly grateful for your gifts.

Thank you for believing in me when my own belief had waned.

Volunteering Skills based volunteering

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

Blake with a basket of goodies!

By Patty Belden

Imagine my delight when I read on Facebook that my 13-year-old niece, Blake, was planning a bake sale to benefit the animals affected by the April oil spill. Since a very young age, she has been interested in helping others so I wasn’t surprised, but I was very impressed. I couldn’t wait to learn more. After talking with her, I learned that she came up with the idea and planned everything all on her own! She knew she couldn’t travel down to the coast to help, so she planned to do something locally. She decided that raising money was the best thing she could do to help. She loves to bake (and makes GREAT treats!) so choosing to hold a bake sale was easy. She recruited the help of her friend Zach and they got to work.<

Blake researched organizations online and chose to raise money for the Audubon Nature Institute. She found contact information and sent an email. They responded and gave Blake all the information she needed to hold her fundraiser.

Next step, pick a date and location and start marketing. They chose to set up shop near a baseball field on a Saturday when games were being played all day (good thinking!). She and Zach made posters and hung them all around the area. They even used social media marketing and posted information on Facebook!

The day of the sale they were ready! But to their surprise they weren’t getting much business. They knew they needed a new plan. They loaded their baskets went through the stands. Business started picking up! It still wasn’t quite enough so their effort went one step further – they went into the neighborhood. They went door-to-door until all of the baked goods were sold out!

Overall, they made $132.00 to send to the Audubon Nature Institute. They had such a good time with the bake sale that they decided to make this a summer-long effort. Zach is working on creating a website where they can advertise all of their upcoming events.

I’m so proud of my niece and her friend. They found something they believed in and took action. When I asked Blake why she was doing this, she answered,

I saw one picture of the animals covered in oil. It made me really upset to think that hundreds of animals are being covered in oil. I decided that I didn’t want to be one of those people that just say ‘oh, that’s sad,’ and then move on with my life. I wanted to do something about it.

What a great example of LIVING UNITED. Do you know other young people who are Living United in our community? Share your stories in the comments!<

Way to go Blake! You are an inspiration to us all!

Events, General, Giving, Volunteering bake sale, baking, blake dykes, fund raising, fundraiser, oil spill, patty belden

By Kelly Hutchinson, Donor Relationship Manager

This post is all about the United Way campaign in Scranton that Dunder Mifflin hosts to benefit United Way. That would be the Lackawanna County United Way in case you were wondering.  When the folks give at The Office they are helping advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for all.

And just why would I share a post with you about the Dunder Mifflin campaign you ask?  Well I will tell you.  It’s because they do such a great job with their campaign at The Office that they are even an award winning company!

I promise I don’t make this stuff up. Look on the wall next time you watch and perhaps by the copier and just maybe you will see it there too. It is the Dunder Mifflin Extraordinary Campaign award from United Way.  Yep, that’s right the good folks at The Office care about their community and their neighbors and they are all part of the change they want to see in their community. 

My guess is that Dwight Schrutte used to organize the campaign. I think that this year Pam Beesly will be appointed by Michael Scott the CEO to serve as the campaign coordinator for The Office.  Michael sees great leadership potential in Pam and knows that she could do a great job making plans and working with the United Way staff.  Pam will love her new role and enjoyed making friends and meeting other coordinators in the community who run campaigns for their workplace.  

Pam will do her part each fall to organize an efficient and fun campaign that offers all her co-workers the chance to give, advocate and volunteer. They all feel proud of the award on the wall and the fact that when they each do their part that they can make a big difference in Scranton.

Some of the associates at The Office will help Pam with the campaign by planning fun events to celebrate their campaign and thank their donors. Dwight said that Meredith  likes supporting the campaign because it helps so many organizations. They all find that having their United Way campaign at The Office provides for a team-building experience.

So now I want to know just a couple things. Seriously for a moment please….The Office hosts a United Way campaign –does your company?  If your answer is ‘no’ then I don’t want it to be because you were never asked. If you don’t have a campaign and you want your company to be in good company alongside community corporate leaders at companies of all sizes like UPS, GE, Humana, Kroger, Atlas Machine or Deco Paper then let us help you get on board. It’s easy, fun and efficient. We would welcome the chance to start a relationship with you where together we can accomplish more than any one organization can alone.

Please join us this year. We all win in our local community when children succeed in school, families are financially stable and people enjoy good health. We want YOU and your company to join us this year and be part of the community campaign.

If you do have a campaign for Metro United Way, then I of course want to say ‘thank you’ for caring and sharing. You make it all happen here. You make our home town a stronger, better place to live and work. Even in the face of challenging economic times you and your company have made it a priority to help people in crisis now with basic needs support while taking on issues that are going to make our community stronger in the future. A heartfelt thanks to you and your office!

General, Giving, Volunteering Giving, Metro United Way, Start a United Way campaign, The Office, Workplace Campaign