United Way Blackhawk Region Inc

TO BE A COMMUNITY LEADER FOR IDENTIFYING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROBLEMS AND FACILITATING PARTNERSHIPS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS.

FINANCIAL STABILITY: UNITED WAY BLACKHAWK REGION, INC. (UWBR) IS FOCUSED ON ENSURING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET AND ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY. IN 2023, UWBR ALLOCATED $761,898 TO 13 ORGANIZATIONS WHICH CONNECT PEOPLE WITH CRITICAL RESOURCES FOR EMERGENCY OR BASIC NEEDS; ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES/BARRIERS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY; INCREASE ACCESS TO SKILLS TRAINING, EDUCATION AND OTHER SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT ENABLE PEOPLE TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

OTHER PROGRAMS: UWBR SERVES AS A CONVENER TO BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY UNDERLYING CAUSES OF PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. AS SUCH, UWBR LEADS AND/OR SERVES ON APPROXIMATELY A DOZEN LOCAL TASK FORCES ALIGNED WITH HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND/OR FINANCIAL STABILITY. ANNUALLY, UWBR HOSTS ITS DAY OF CARING, A DAY OF SERVICE WHEREAS HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AT NONPROFIT AGENCIES ACROSS THE REGION. UWBR FUNDS 211, AN ANONYMOUS 24/7 HELPLINE THAT CONNECTS CALLERS WITH LOCAL PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED WAY OF WISCONSIN AND UNITED WAYS ACROSS THE STATE, UWBR PUBLISHES THE ALICE REPORT - ALICE, AN ACRONYM FOR ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONSTRAINED, EMPLOYED, IS A NEW WAY OF DEFINING AND UNDERSTANDING THE STRUGGLES OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT EARN ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO AFFORD A BARE-BONES HOUSEHOLD BUDGET. UWBR IS THE FINANCIAL SPONSOR FOR DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY IN THREE COMMUNITIES OF THE BLACKHAWK REGION. ENROLLED CHILDREN ARE GIFTED A FREE, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK IN THE MAIL EACH MONTH UNTIL THEIR 5TH BIRTHDAY. UWBR IS INSTALLING BORN LEARNING TRAILS ACROSS THE REGION. BORN LEARNING TRAILS ARE A SERIES OF 10 INTERACTIVE SIGNS THAT OFFER FUN, ACTIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

EDUCATION: UWBR ENVISIONS A REGION WHERE ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH WILL HAVE SUPPORTIVE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AND BECOME RESPONSIBLE ADULTS. IN 2023, UWBR ALLOCATED $549,994 TO 8 ORGANIZATIONS WHICH SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUTH THROUGH EARLY LEARNING AND CARE SERVICES; BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS; CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES; EMPHASIZE ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES; EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO BOND WITH PEERS, MENTORS, AND POSITIVE ROLE MODELS.

HEALTH: UWBR SUPPORTS PROGRAMS TO HELP RESIDENTS OF ROCK COUNTY, WI AND NORTHERN WINNEBAGO COUNTY, IL TO ENJOY HEALTHY LIVES. IN 2023, UWBR ALLOCATED $181,731 TO 4 ORGANIZATIONS WHICH INCREASE AWARENESS AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE RESOURCES AND PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES.