Valentine’s Day seems like the right time to share what is in our hearts and minds: we love our neighbors.
And because we love our neighbors, we are reaffirming our unwavering commitment to building a community where everyone is valued, and everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Now, more than ever, we are leaning into that commitment.
We understand that when everyone in our community has the chance to succeed, we all benefit. When our neighbors can enjoy nutritious food, secure safe and stable housing, access affordable child care, and find good-paying jobs, our community grows stronger. We create safer, healthier spaces where people have the capacity to contribute their unique gifts, and children have the foundation to grow into their full potential.
Right now, many of our neighbors are facing hardships. Economic uncertainty, rising costs, and fears about personal safety are making life difficult for many community members. The threat of federal funding cuts, and the uncertainty about other federal actions, are adding to the challenge.
Over our 105-year history, United Way has been a key part of helping our community through periods of upheaval and change. And while the specifics have varied, we have depended on our values to guide us through: listening to our neighbors’ needs and aspirations to determine community priorities; grounding our solutions in data and evidence about what works; working in partnership with others so that we can do more, better; and maintaining our focus while also embracing flexibility, creativity, and nimbleness so that we can respond effectively in times of change and challenge.
But real love for our neighbors is more than having feelings or saying words—it also involves taking action. United Way’s actions to promote the common good include:
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Advocating for policies that help working families, like the Child Tax Credit and funding to make high quality child care more affordable.
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Recruiting volunteers to amplify the good work happening in the community through projects like reading in schools and distributing groceries at mobile food pantries.
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Investing in and coordinating local programs and services that meet people’s immediate needs and help them build a brighter future, like housing assistance, summer enrichment programs, no-cost tax preparation services, and job training.
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Convening our nonprofit partners to explore how we can best support each other and identify new and different ways of working together.
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Providing learning opportunities that promote empathy and understanding as a way of building a stronger community.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that, together, we can move forward with common purpose. I invite you to join us — as a volunteer, as an advocate, and as a donor. And if you are already part of United Way’s force for good, invite a friend or colleague to join you. Because when we love our neighbors, we can create a community that is stronger, kinder, and more united than ever.
~ Jennifer
Jennifer Heath
President & CEO
