United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

Community Impact:For over eighty years, United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley (UWMWV or United Way) has built bridges to the community that focused on developing resources for nonprofits. Today, UWMWV reachs for higher outcomes, addresses wider gaps, and cultivates a culture of collaboration and partnership to assure equity, inclusion and diversity are a part of every part of its work. Here are some highlights of UWMWV's work in 2022:SANTIAM CANYON WILDFIRE RELIEF AND RECOVERY: 2022 IMPACT: 1,069 SERVED 510 VOLUNTEERS, 3680 VOLUNTEER HOURS. When wildfires wreaked havoc across the region in 2020, forcing thousands of people to evacuate and seek shelter, UWMWV immediately jumped into action. In 2022, UWMWV continued to serve and to support the wildfire recovery efforts in a wide variety of ways. UWMWV hosted many individual/family survivors at various events through its Good360 program in order to get supplies and replacements for both temporary housing and rebuilt housing needs. UWMWV sent children from families impacted by wildfires to Summer Camp. UWMWV also served as fiscal sponsor for the Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) - a group committed to restoring family housing to pre-fire condition. During 2022, UWMWV donated a tiny home to a needy family that had lost their house in the fire and supported the building of sheds for multiple families in need of temporary storage.GOOD360 GIFTS IN KIND PROGRAM: 2022 IMPACT: 190,464 community members served through 242 non-profit organizations, 928 VOLUNTEERS, 4260 VOLUNTEER HOURS. As the regional hub for this national program, UWMWV is uniquely positioned to support hundreds of area service providers, schools, faith-based groups and other nonprofit partners. The Good360 Gifts in Kind Program continued to grow exponentially in the last year. In 2022, the program provided goods valued at $5.2 million to those in need which allowed area non-profits organizations, faith-based groups and schools to use their program dollars on other things. OREGON STATE CHARITABLE FUND DRIVE: 2022 IMPACT: $681,351 PLEDGED FOR 447 STATEWIDE CHARITIES. UWMWV served as the Managing Organization of the State of Oregon's Employee Charitable Fund Drive that occurs annually each fall. In 2022, UWMWV planned, coordinated and operated a campaign that reached over 70,000 state employees and worked with nineteen federations representing 699 charities. UWMWV was responsible for raising, tracking, and distributing the campaign funds.AWESOME 3000: 2022 IMPACT: 14 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS PLANNED FOR 2023 EVENT. The Awesome 3000 planning began in 2022. Awesome 3000, once billed as the largest youth fun run west of the Mississippi, will resume after a three-year hiatus under the leadership of the United Way. The Awesome 3000 will serve as a fundraiser for the Salem-Keizer School Fund. The proceeds of the run will go towards Salem-Keizer School District grants for innovative practices.EMERGENT NEED GRANTING: 2022 IMPACT: $219,000 AWARDED, 5 PROVIDERS SERVED. Through UWMWV's various programs and partnerships, UWMWV supported several different causes and charities that provided important community efforts and needs. UWMWV's grant supported foundational school technical education efforts in rural Yamhill County, migrant farmer support, refugee support, mental health support and dental hygiene for children. SAFESLEEP UNITED WOMENS SHELTER: 2021 IMPACT: 5,348 SHELTER NIGHTS and 8,948 MEALS PROVIDED TO OVER 194 UNDUPLICATED WOMEN: As one of the most vulnerable populations, the women who were unsheltered in the community need a safe, reliable place to sleep safely for the night. Working with its partners, United Way established a unique and vital low barrier shelter where women can feel safe sleeping for the evening. Low barrier reflects a housing-first approach, where people are welcomed as they are, without needing to be clean, sober, employed, or employable as entry criteria. UWMWV staff meet and serve women where they are at as long as they can do activities of daily living independently and behave generally respectfully. Of the 194 women and children United Way sheltered in 2022, seventy-five individuals, or 39%, moved to living arrangements that are considered to be more stable than a temporary emergency shelter. COTTAGES UNITED PROGRAM: This program creates a sustainable, affordable solution to the ever-growing issue of seniors at risk of homelessness. HUD considers a person housing burdened if their monthly housing costs are greater than 30% of a persons income. Many older Oregonians are entitled to Social Security benefits. However, these benefits (currently averaging $1,529 per month for an individual) remain well below the poverty line and often fail to cover the cost of housing. UWMWV's plan is to build twenty-five cottages, right next to Swegle Elementary, creating a community partnership between seniors and this school. In 2021, United Way acquired the land and completed the bulk of the background work to lay the foundation for the next phase of this complicated but necessary project. In 2022, United Way continued fundraising and organizational efforts for this project with a goal of breaking ground in 2023.SCHOOL AGE ENRICHMENT: 2022 IMPACT: 2,808 STUDENTS SERVED, 84 VOLUNTEERS, 6,384 HOURS. This program provided equitable programming for academic enrichment at nine different school sites including elementary, middle, and high schools to encourage youth development and to promote family involvement. College and Career readiness was also offered at area high schools with mentors who provided one on one assistance to high school students with post-secondary plans.