September 2024
Metro United Way Impact Tracker
This impact tracker is updated on a monthly basis to share highlights of the work that we do every day to help make our community better for everyone!
There’s nothing more important than making sure our community’s children have what they need to thrive. LEARN MORE
- As part of our CDC Lead-Free Communities Grant goals for year one, the Ready for K Alliance hosted a strategic planning session for Lead Poisoning Prevention and Awareness in Louisville. This session convened 40+ individuals from a cross-sector of organizations from housing, early childhood, health & wellness, and other community-based organizations, as well as residents and elected officials.
- With ARP funding, the Ready for K Alliance was able to work with Prepping for K Academy to create an additional 300 family engagement kits for our partners at Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) to provide to families through early childhood teachers that attend family engagement trainings in September and November.
- On August 29, the Youth Success team hosted its annual Kick-Off event to start the 2024-2025 Program Year. Over 100 youth service workers attended to learn more about the updates to our Menu of Supports. We also came together to fellowship over lunch and learn more about the work each of us is doing in the community.
- The Ages & Stages (ASQ) Developmental Screening Hub recently received a 3-year grant from Early Learning Indiana to expand the use of the Hub to Floyd, Clark, and Harrison counties in Southern Indiana. A contractor has been hired and has been meeting with key stakeholders and referral agencies to begin building a network of early childhood advocates in Southern Indiana.
- The Ages & Stages (ASQ) Developmental Screening Hub continues to have a huge impact children and families. Here are some recent examples:
- The ASQ Developmental Screening Hub team attended the Louisville Science Center’s annual Touch a Truck event where we spoke with nearly 2,000 parents about the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
- The ASQ Developmental Screening Hub helped a mom in crisis connect to resources for basic needs for her and her child.
- The ASQ Developmental Screening Hub helping a family whose child had high lead level advocate for their child.
- The ASQ Developmental Screening Hub team presented a workshop for families whose first language is Spanish on how to use household items to aid in kindergarten readiness.
- We’re thrilled to announce that we will be supporting the Youth Social Action Project (YSAP) grants for another impactful year. We invite your organization to participate in this transformative experience by applying for this grant opportunity. You can learn more about YSAP and how to apply here: https://metrounitedway.org/youth-social-action-project-rfp-2024/
- Join us for Lights On After School Advocacy Day to recognize our hardworking youth workers who support our young people in developing the skills they need to achieve their dreams! You’ll hear from a panel of youth success partners, community leaders, and elected officials. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration/lunch will begin at 11:30, and the program will start at noon. Please RSVP HERE by Monday, October 14.
- We are on the lookout for exceptional after-school programs to honor during this event. Share with us the after-school program that has made a difference in your life and explain why. Nominated organizations will have the chance to receive a special surprise. Make your nomination today HERE!
- We are thrilled to announce that the Youth Success Team has been selected to participate in youthink, an eight-month cohort program that supports teams across the US and its territories in tackling a problem or gap impacting the health of young people in their community. As part of this youthink cohort, we will be:
- Using the design thinking process to address complex challenges facing young people in our community
- Developing innovative approaches to adolescent and young adult health
- Connecting with a group of like-minded change-makers and a wide range of personal coaches, trainers, and subject matter experts
When we have strong households, we are creating pathways out of poverty to prosperity, which is a win for us all. LEARN MORE
- Metro United Way was privileged to receive a visit by Barbara Siemer, founder of the Siemer Institute, and Kim Dorniden, President and National Executive Director, on September 11 and 12. This presented a wonderful opportunity for Siemer Institute leadership to learn of our local efforts to promote family stability and for Metro United Way and other close partners, donors, and other interested parties to learn more about the Institute. These efforts that served 377 families and 778 children last year towards goals related to income, housing, and school stability.
- We were delighted to be joined by Renee King, CEO of FundBLACKFounders, who provided key Metro United Way staff and volunteers with an update on the successes of our first cohort of entrepreneurs and initial plans for efforts moving forward. Working with Ms. King, we plan to soon reconvene entrepreneur support organizations to align our efforts to promote maximum success for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
- Our workforce financial coaching initiative is continuing to demonstrate positive impact. Through July,
- 235 individuals were served, of whom 174 had more than one coaching session.
- Among these individuals, 124 (71%) have shown gains in one or more areas, listed as follows:
- 30 have increased income by a median of $7,762 annually;
- 87 have increased savings by a median of $657;
- 57 have increased credit by a median of 24 points; and
- 69 have decreased debt by a median of $2,099.
- United Community hosted a Social Needs Think Tank on 9/12/2024. There will be a United Community Lunch & Learn on 9/26/24. To learn more about these events and to register, please visit https://metrounitedway.org/united-community-events
- Our United Community Network now consists of nearly 500 organizations, 6,000 users, and 890 programs serving over 430 clients!
We envision the Greater Louisville region as a place where zip code doesn’t determine destiny and everyone has the opportunity to live up to their full potential. LEARN MORE
- Our Black L.O.V.E. (Live, Own, Vote, Excel) Philanthropic Partnership cohort recently held two virtual education sessions to advance learning and capacity-building efforts of our BLPP partners.
- Our Metro United Way staff completed 6 hours of quality equity training as part of our MUW Learning Series.
- Presented on our Racial Wealth Gap Simulation at the Habitat for Humanity Conference to raise awareness and foster understanding of the wealth gap’s impact on marginalized communities.
- Metro United Way Senior Manager of Equitable Community, Elliott Kelly, Jr., recently attended the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Conference in Anaheim, CA. Representing Metro United Way and our Young Men United (YMU) initiatve, Elliott joined Shannon Reed of United Way Worldwide and others to present on YMU’s pillars, emphasizing creating safe, supportive spaces for young men of color. The conference highlighted comprehensive student support, focusing on degree attainment alongside mental and emotional well-being.