Tag: United Way of Northern Arizona
United Way of Northern Arizona — Memories that YOU Made Possible
We hope you are having a wonderful 2023 so far, and wanted to start off this new year right by thanking you.
You make the work of United Way of Northern Arizona possible and we wanted to share some of our favorite memories of the past year that happened because you generously gave through your donations, leadership, or volunteerism.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Celebrating a Community (and UWNA) Champion
It was with tremendous sadness that we heard (recently) of the passing of Dr. Bert McKinnon, who epitomized the commitment to community and volunteer service that makes northern Arizona such a remarkable place.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Mark Cox and Megan Cunningham Join UWNA Board
The key to most nonprofit organization’s impact is the thoughtful leadership and oversight of its Board of Directors. United Way of Northern Arizona is continually working on maintaining and building a strong board by adding members who reflect our community and ensure that we are serving that community at the highest levels.
We are pleased to announce that Mark Cox, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff, and Megan Cunningham, Director of Budget for Northern Arizona University, recently joined the UWNA Board.
United Way of Northern Arizona Means Community Impact
Because of You…
Here’s the power of Community Impact:
A woman in Flagstaff is diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, devastating her teenage daughters. Because of you, the family is able to access free support groups and classes to help them cope during treatment and beyond. Ultimately, the daughters help form a support group specifically for children of cancer patients, paying it forward by helping other teens.
A homeless man, wheelchair bound and in bad health, arrives at a shelter in Holbrook. Because of you, the shelter places him in a housing unit for veterans close to a grocery store and gets him connected with community and medical services nearby. There he begins to rebuild his life.
A second-grader at Thomas Elementary School proudly places a sticker in his lesson chart, showing that he has finished reading another book. He eagerly chooses his next book adventure. Because of you, we are able to support the “raising readers” program to foster a love of learning.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Why They Joined the Summit Society
The purpose of United Way is to do big and bold things.
Taking on the large issues – early childhood education, positive youth development, eliminating the gaps in our social safety net – requires the support of a whole community. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every bit of advocacy is important.
However, we also want to acknowledge that there are people who have an outsized impact because of their unique generosity. They are the members of our Summit Society – individuals and couples who contribute $500 or more annually.
Why do they make this investment in UWNA? Check out what they have to say in this video:
United Way of Northern Arizona — Ruiz Heads Search Committee for New UWNA President/CEO
The search for the next head of United Way of Northern Arizona is entering its final stage, with the Board of Directors opening up the application process to replace current President & CEO Carol Dykes.
The Board has spent the past few months meeting and surveying key community stakeholders to gain their insights about the future direction of UWNA and the qualities they would like to see in the next head of the organization.
“We felt that input was vital, because – let’s face it – Carol will not be easy to replace,” said Board Vice Chair Armando Ruiz (Coconino County).
Ruiz was appointed by Board Chair Mike Kelly(W.L. Gore & Associates) to head up the Search Committee.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Your Gift Puts Roofs Over Head
Homelessness – whether temporary or long-lasting – has become a more dire crisis in the past year.
According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the number of unhoused Arizonans was nearly 11,000 in early 2020. As of December 2021, that number is estimated to have increased by nearly 30 percent.
A tragic trifecta has driven up the numbers of those without housing – rapidly rising housing costs, persistent inflation for basic necessities, and the end of pandemic-era protections to keep people from being evicted.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Dolly Parton Imagination Library — Building Future Readers
When Dolly Parton was given the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropylast week, she said that she doesn’t really have a strategy for her donations.
“I just give from my heart,” she said. “I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will.”
Her gifts have ranged from quietly paying for band uniforms in many Tennessee high schools to a $1 million donation that financed the research that led to the Moderna coronavirus vaccine.
But one of the causes dearest to her heart, she said, is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, an initiative she started in 1995 to promote early childhood development.
United Way of Northern Arizona — Help Our Children & Teens Reach Their Full Potential
A teenage girl gains confidence by being a Girl Scout, and discovers deep wells of resourcefulness and flexibility when the pandemic throws a wrench in her plans.
A homeless boy receives life coaching at his shelter that enables him to successfully find and keep a job, breaking the cycle of poverty.
A cohort of 6th graders learn about the natural wonders of northern Arizona at Camp Colton, sparking a drive to be better stewards of the earth.
These stories are all the result of United Way of Northern Arizona’s commitment to positive youth development.
United Way of Northern Arizona — How You Make KinderCamp™ Possible
For more than 15 years, KinderCamp™ has ensured that hundreds of preschoolers were ready for that vitally important first day of school. That they stepped into their kindergarten classrooms confident and eager to learn. That they were prepared – academically, socially, and emotionally – to make their first school year a phenomenal success.
This signature program, which takes place every June in schools across northern Arizona, is how United Way of Northern Arizona is supporting early childhood development. It’s also a great reason to donate to UWNAduring the annual campaign going on right now.
Take a look at the smiling faces in this video to see the love of learning in action.
