Guest Blogger: Candy Sunderland, Student United Way of UW-River Falls President

For this blog we welcome a guest blogger, Student United Way of UW-River Falls President Candy Sunderland, who is sharing her experience attending this year's Student United Way Leadership Retreat in St. Louis. Thank you to Candy for taking the time to write this blog!

On Friday, September 25^th, I was able to attend the Student United Way Leadership Retreat thanks to the generous contribution of United Way St. Croix Valley. I met with about 35 other students from across the nation to collaborate ways to improve Student United Way and their relationship with local United Ways.

We began with lots of ice breakers and name games, which helped to loosen us up and acquaint us with one another. We got to be goofy before getting down to business! Mike Brooks of United Way Worldwide led us into discussion, and we broke up into different classes throughout the weekend to focus on team culture, volunteering and ideas, marketing and publicity, fundraising, and other topics important for the success of Student United Ways.

Throughout the weekend, we formed amazing and helpful relationships, provided and obtained feedback and ideas, and were immersed in synergy. The lines between faculty and students became blurred, and all that remained was a group of leaders with one common goal: to LIVE UNITED.

Attending the Retreat equipped me with many tools I am excited to bring back to my local community in hopes of creating a snowball effect for both Student United Way and United Way. I wish to work together with our amazing team at United Way St. Croix Valley to promote education, income, and health for our community and our world, and am confident in the knowledge that every volunteer hour makes a difference!

Special thanks to Mike Brooks, United Way of Greater St. Louis, and especially United Way St. Croix Valley for this wonderfully educating and uplifting experience!!

Candy

Guest Blogger: Tonya Lathe, UWSCV Board President

For this blog we welcome a guest blogger, United Way St. Croix Valley Board President Tonya Lathe, who is sharing her thoughts on our recent hunger and housing summit event. Thank you to Tonya for taking the time to write this blog!

After attending “Transforming Communities: A Summit on Hunger and Housing in Western Wisconsin,” I realized just how important and beneficial it was to attend. I thought I was somewhat aware of what was going on and learned I wasn't. At one point I thought how wonderful it would be if these could be held more often and maybe in the evenings. In order to "rally the troops" to help the situation, you have to first make people aware and get them on board. I genuinely think that the majority of people out there are good people who want to help in some way; they just need to be made aware of the needs of their community.

Listening to key note speaker Dr. Julie Keown-Bomar I learned the magnitude of the problem we have. I was shocked to learn that 75% of people on assistance are actually employed. I also agreed with her comments 100% that in order to get these people out of poverty, they need an education. They can't survive on $10 per hour. I loved her quote she shared by Hubert Humphrey: "You don't have to save the world. Just save your hometown. It will all add up." This is something that I need to remember myself because I want to help everyone all at once and that is not possible, so it becomes easy to get overwhelmed and not accomplish much of anything.

In the break out session it was great to learn about Second Harvest Heartland’s Food Rescue Program. Hopefully it will continue to grow and help meet the needs of those in need, especially when the food was just going to be thrown away anyway!

In the Action Planning discussion there was a great deal of talk pertaining to how we get information on the programs available to the people. It does not seem like there is one central place that can lead people to the proper resources they need. It was suggested to start with a small community and try to develop a web site for people who need help with something as well as for those who are willing to help. For example, a single mom may need her leaky sink or toilet fixed and there may be someone with the skills to do this willing to volunteer their time. I think there are people out there willing to help, and maybe financially they are unable to donate but they have skills and time they are willing to donate. The fixing of the leaky toilet or sink would also save money on a water bill in the long run for the individual.

It would be nice to see society go back to a friend helping friend or neighbor helping neighbor philosophy, and I think this Summit was a great step in that direction. I am optimistic that we can work together to make the ideas discussed into reality for the citizens of Pierce and St. Croix Counties.

Tonya

Fall 2008 Update

United Way has been at the center of social change for more than a century. United Way St. Croix Valley’s LIVE UNITED campaign is about the power of unity – people coming together to improve their communities. We hope that it will be a constant reminder that when we as individuals think outside ourselves, we can transform lives. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our society. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.

We all win when a child is mentored and succeeds in school. We all win when the basic needs of our communities are met. We all win when families are financially stable. We all win when people are healthy and senior citizens and those with special needs receive the support to live independently.

United Way St. Croix Valley is leading three initiatives designed to help our communities win. Food is arguably the most basic need for families and individuals in our communities. United Way’s Food Resource Center distributes large quantities of donated boxed, canned and fresh food to local food pantries, the homeless and domestic abuse shelters and other supplemental food programs. United Way continues its leadership support for transitional housing by supporting Grace Place. Residents receive counseling and support as they transition to permanent housing. Our community partnership, Success By 6, is working to ensure that all children in our region get the same high quality start in life. We are providing resources to help parents prepare their children for school success.

Join us. United, we elevate. United, we preserve. United, we accomplish more than anyone can do alone. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. Living united means being part of the change.

John