A Look Back at 2011

United Way St. Croix Valley’s 2010-2011 year brought new opportunities and continued challenges. The poor economic climate meant that more people needed assistance but fewer community resources were available. Every nonprofit scrambled for funds to meet their mission.

United Way rose to the challenge by doing more than just raising and distributing funds. Sure, we did that but that wasn’t all. I can see the positive impact that your United Way has had in alleviating hunger, providing shelter and meeting other basic needs.

United Way‘s Food Resource Center provided incredible support to food pantries, shelters and meal programs. Our primary partner in this effort is the Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN). Area businesses and organizations also donated food or helped by sponsoring the monthly shipments of low-cost and donated food from EFN. Local Girl Scout troops provided a welcome surprise by donating many boxes of cookies. A Stillwater family rallied the valley to try to set a world record for largest food drive. The effort fell short but the organizers shared the bounty with Wisconsin communities through our Food Resource Center.

Our Success By 6 initiative strengthened families and prepared children to reach their full potential in school. A $10,000 grant from the Bernick’s Family Foundation meant that we could bring the initiative to Polk County in partnership with area hospitals and Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley.

Families had opportunities for an in-hospital visit with an infant specialist, parenting classes and home visits if needed. We also restructured the governance model for the initiative to give each of our counties local representation. Working together, we can provide families with the tools that they need to thrive.

We supported Grace Place, Serenity Home, House of Blessings and Our Neighbor’s Place—-transitional housing shelters with services that help families turn their lives around. United Way is the leaseholder for Grace Place and has had a partnership with the Salvation Army since we spearheaded the remodeling of the former convent at St. Anne Catholic Church in Somerset.

Each year we fund more than 60 agencies in Pierce, St. Croix and Polk counties that meet basic and emergency needs, strengthen children and families and promote health and independence. We also run a satellite campaign at Nexen Group in Webster that funds programs in Northern Wisconsin.

Our mission is to unite communities, focus resources and inspire people to measurably improve lives in Western Wisconsin. We are successful because of you--our donors. We are proud to help you strengthen your communities through one gift to United Way. I am grateful for the trust that each of you place in us.

We appreciate your commitment to LIVE UNITED—-to give, advocate and volunteer. Western Wisconsin is a better place because we are united to make it so.

John