There’s nothing more important than ensuring our community’s children have what they need to thrive. LEARN MORE
- Thank you to our many volunteers who came together for Build-a-Bed to build 175 beds for children in Southern Indiana. A bed is essential, not only to a good night’s sleep, but to a child’s education and sense of self. This was the 8th year for the event, and Metro United Way has distributed more than 1,100 beds over that time.
- The digital divide is real. Metro United Way and its nonprofit partner, the Animus Foundation, Inc, are working to build a more equitable community by expanding access to technology and technology education. Learn how HERE.
- Our Ages & Stages Developmental Screening “Hub” continues to make connections with new organizations, health care providers, and families in Southern Indiana as we expand our reach thanks to grants from Indiana Early Learning and the Lilly Endowment. For example,
- A mom of a two-year-old was new to the area and was seeking low-cost activities for her daughter. The Hub connected the family to several engaging low-cost opportunities as well as the Early Learning Readiness program with the YMCA.
- Metro United Way’s Youth Success team returned to Los Angeles to discuss the development of the mental health initiative. During this time, they received training on developing prototypes based on the information received from stakeholders. The team will be looking to get feedback on the prototype they have developed. Be on the lookout for the dates of the feedback sessions starting in March!
- The third networking session in our series for the Youth Success Network occurred on Valentine’s Day! During this session, participants were able to “Speed Date” network to learn more about each other’s organizations.
- Through the Ready for K Alliance partnership with Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness, established through our CDC Lead Free Communities grant, prenatal blood lead level surveillance will continue in 2025. Through Family Health Centers, 89 prenatal patients were tested for high blood lead levels.
- The Access and Quality Ready for K Alliance Action Network mental health project moves forward with Play Cousins Collective facilitating Wellness Wednesdays for child care providers and family engagement nights for child care centers and families. In January, they hosted a family engagement night focused on social emotional learning for children and families at Trinity House Child Care where 30 families attended.
When families have what they need, they can break cycles of poverty and work toward a better tomorrow for future generations and our entire community. LEARN MORE
- Our workforce financial coaching initiative is continuing to demonstrate positive impact. Through December of 2024,
- 350 clients have been served of whom 270 have had more than one session.
- 197 (73%) have shown progress towards financial goals in one or more areas related to income, savings, credit, and debt
- 49 have increased income by a median of $8,899 annually
- 143 have increased savings by a median of $678; 74 have increased credit by a median of 24 points
- 97 have decreased debt by a median of $1,625
- 350 clients have been served of whom 270 have had more than one session.
- In 2024, Louisville’s Siemer Institute Partnership effort served 318 families comprised of 613 children, of whom 496 were school aged. Among these families,
- 76% reached a level of income stability
- 85% reached a level of housing stability
- 97% were able to avoid an unplanned, unsupported school move
- We would like to thank our 2024 direct service providers who achieved these strong results: Americana Community Center, Family Scholar House, Jewish Family and Career Services, Salvation Army of Louisville, Salvation Army of Southern Indiana, and the Turnaround Resource Center.
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is now assisting low-to-moderate income individuals complete their tax returns free of charge to ensure filers are accessing all eligible tax credits. Since MUW’s helped found the local coordinating agency, the Louisville Asset Building Coalition, in 2001, a total of 156,000 filers have been served resulting in
- $235 million in refunds, of which $84 million has been in the form of the valuable Earned Income Tax Credit
- Filers have saved an estimated $34 million in tax filing fees.
- For more information or to schedule an appointment, please click here.
- In the month of January, our 2-1-1 help referral line fielded 1,115 calls from members of our community. The top request referral categories were housing and shelter, followed by help with utilities.
- In the month of January, United Community:
- Served 276 total clients
- Sent/Received 97 referrals
- 88% of those cases closed/resolved
- To learn more about upcoming United Community events and to register, please visit https://metrounitedway.org/united-community-events
We envision the Greater Louisville region as a place where zip code doesn’t determine destiny and everyone has the opportunity to grow into their full potential. LEARN MORE
- Demand for Racial Wealth Gap simulations has been strong, and we’re excited to have offered a free, interactive simulation for Black History Month on February 26th to foster deeper understanding of systemic inequities. Registration filled in less than 24 hours, an additional simulation was added on on February 27 and filled within days as well.
- For our Black LOVE Philanthropic Partnership, January focused on analyzing cohort data and feedback through an anonymous survey and optional one-on-one sessions with the BLPP team. On February 20, the cohort convened for the first time in 2025 for Building Cohort Success, a session reviewing their first six months and incorporating feedback to shape year 2.
- Our Beyond Buzzwords speaker series hosted the incredible Dr. Beverly Tatum on February 4, receiving outstanding engagement and feedback.
