Our Initiatives
2-1-1 Information & Referral Service
Every day thousands of people across our region turn to 211 for information and support—whether financial, domestic, health or disaster-related. 211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages and from all communities to the essential health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
211 can be accessed by phone or computer. A toll-free call to 211 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services that can improve—and save—lives.
beyong hunger
United Way Alliance works in partnership with local food pantries to support and promote their good work in serving residents in need of emergency food. United Way serves as the primary referral agency for most pantries.
BIRTHDAY BAG OUTREACH PROGRAM
The goal of this program is to ensure that every child is able to celebrate their special day. We provide a “birthday party in a bag” that include cake mix, icing, candles. party plates or napkins, and a can of soda. Fun fact: you can replace the eggs and oil in your cake recipe with just one can of soda! These bags are available to families who otherwise may not be able to provide a birthday celebration for their child.
equal footing shoe fund
We are thrilled to launch the Equal Footing Shoe Fund within our United Way.
This will be yet another way to ensure that kids throughout our community have access to the basics that they need. Donated shoes will be provided to kids in our area school system when there is a need for new, safe footwear.
*must be new athletic shoes
mission united
Our Mission United initiative supports veterans, active duty military members, and their families. On the 3rd Tuesday of every month, we host Mountaineer Food Bank's Veteran's Table Feeding Program, which provides a nutrition dense food box to veterans across the Mid-Ohio Valley. Mission United's goal is to proudly serve those who have served and connect them with the resources geared toward their specific needs.
Ready to Learn
Our Ready to Learn Initiative is dedicated to ensuring that every child from every community is equipped to be an engaged and successful learner. We know that everyone doesn’t start out on the same footing, but we believe that we can help to level those playing fields and create opportunity. Whether its ensuring that a child has shoes and a backpack for a new school year, supporting teachers with classroom kits, building Little Free Libraries, hosting book giveaways, or helping to support young new educators, we are working to create a community of well equipped learners with a love of literacy. We know that something as simple as a new pair of shoes, or a sturdy new backpack can make an enormous difference in their attitude and perspective towards the school year.
READY TO LEARN RESOURCE LOCKER
Created as a response to the emerging needs we observed, the resource locker provides school and project supplies to students in need. Teachers can refer students who present a need from October through April. We will pack, pull and deliver the items to the child's school. This program helps us continue to level the playing field and create opportunities for children to succeed regardless of their financial situation.
READY TO WORK CLOSET
Our Ready to Work Closet supports individuals who are re-entering the workforce and may be facing barriers like having the necessary attire. We help connect individuals to the “immediate solution” resources to ensure they have what they need on that first day and to help stand in the gap until the paychecks start coming in.
RIDE CONNECT
This program works to connect people to the transportation options that can best get them to their destinations. We do an individual transportation plan with each individual to make sure that we are assisting them with their needs. We are working to improve safety, availability, and quality of transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and others with transportation needs.