Throughout history, women have been a driving force in making change and impacting the world around them. From Queen Elizabeth, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Michelle Obama, women have always been able to achieve many amazing things.
Women today have the opportunity to make an impact like they never before. Women can run major businesses, make their own money and be involved in politics. In Clarksville, women are using these advantages to come together to make a change for their community. Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) provides opportunities for women of all ages to help transform their community through the giving of their skills, time and resources. WLC through the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region focuses on Living United in regards to women and children. It is a program that is active in many other United Ways across the country. Melinda Knox, WLC Coordinator, stated “I think the women’s leadership council will be good for the community because it will help us to cultivate and nurture the needs of women and children in our community.”
United Way and the WLC are looking to advance the common good, by focusing on Health, Educations, and Income. WLC members are broken down into sub-committees for:
• Advocacy-Building the capacity of your local effort that educates, enhances and equips women in your community to be advocates at both the city and state levels.
• Leadership- Cultivate women’s leadership by offering an array of choices including speaking engagements, volunteer opportunities, board training, and development.
• Resource Development- Raise the financial support necessary to support our local United Way and meet the most pressing needs facing women and/or children in our community.
By focusing on these key areas they will impact the community by raising money, raising their voices, giving 110% and by kicking off their heels and getting down to business. WLC will continue to advance the common good by enriching education, income, and health and will be providing lasting changes by addressing the underlining cause of the problems. “Working together, we will all live united and together we can make a change,” says Knox.
Any woman can make a difference. “I am pleased that the WLC provides yet another opportunity for women to work together in service to others. We are calling on the caring power of women to step up as we stand for all that is right in advancing the common good in Montgomery, Houston, and Stewart counties as well as the Fort Campbell area” says Beckie Moore, Executive Director for United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. Any woman wanting to make a difference in their community may contact Melinda Knox at 931-647-4291 to join or visit liveunitedclarksville.org.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
United Way backs Education
*All information is provided by United Way Worldwide
Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. It’s essential to getting and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits. And it’s fundamental to a community’s economic prosperity: a well-educated workforce attracts world-class jobs.
Today, 6,000 young people across the U.S. will drop out of school. That’s 1.2 million high school dropouts a year — and 1.2 million young adults closing the door of opportunity.Education is the key to getting a good job, one with a good income and health care. And it’s the key to our nation's productivity and global competitiveness. That’s why United Way has put a stake in the ground on education. Our goal is to cut the number of high school dropouts in half by 2018. United Way Worldwide has issued a challenge to all 1,300 United Ways across the nation and their community partners — and we want you to get involved, too.
High school dropouts are more than 12 years in the making. Children start learning at birth; the foundation for future learning is laid in the first few years. Disadvantaged children come to school at least two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills, and most never catch up. By 3rd grade, a child’s grades and absenteeism rates can predict with 90% accuracy whether he or she will complete high school. The entire education continuum, from birth through 21, must be in our collective crosshairs if we want to move the needle on high school graduation. That means making sure children are:
· Ready for school, starting with the social, emotional and cognitive skills they need to succeed;
· Reading on track by 4th grade;
· Transitioning successfully to middle school;
· Graduating high school on time;
· Working or in school by 21.
What’s the impact of high school dropouts in our community? United Way’s Common Good Forecaster™, found at www.liveunited.org/forecaster, can help you determine exactly how education affects our community’s future. For example, it can predict to what degree might higher levels of education in your county lower the poverty and unemployment rates – and boost incomes. But beyond jobs and incomes, it can show how changes in the educational level of a place affect its incarceration rate. Or the percentage of adults who are obese. Or even voter turnout in the next election.
What does it really take to improve education? Research shows that supportive communities, effective schools and strong families must be in place, supported by early, sustained investment and driven by proven strategies. United Way Worldwide has a framework to guide our education work, one that’s helping the 1,300 United Ways mobilize people around education.
But what matters most is individual involvement.
Research shows the strategies proven to work are those that connect communities to their schools: parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged. These aren’t things government can do – but you can! Visit the “Give. Advocate. Volunteer." pages of www.liveunited.org to learn how you can make a difference in the schools of your community.
United Way Worldwide and the 1,300 United Ways across the nation have a 10 year goal.
· By 2018, 87 percent of high school seniors will graduate on time, up from 73.9 percent today.
· That increase translates to 560,000 more youth who will receive diplomas in 2018.
· An ill-prepared 12th grader does not one day magically appear in a cap and gown ready to pick up a diploma.
· This 10-year goal means we must engage with children and families from birth.
“Upon the education of the people the fate of this country depends.” Disraeli was speaking of his country, Great Britain, some 150 years ago, but these words capture the American belief in the critical importance of universal education. Education is the foundation for a good life, setting the individual on a path of personal fulfillment, economic security and societal contribution.
United Ways are highlighting three points in students’ lives that help predict success in school and later as adults: readiness to enter kindergarten, reading proficiency in fourth grade and on-time graduation from high school.
Readiness to succeed in school means that children enter kindergarten developmentally on track in the areas of literacy and in social, emotional and cognitive skills. One way to track pre-literacy and cognitive skills is by looking at the percentage of children ages 3 to 5 who have all or most of four commonly recognized school readiness skills (recognizing their letters, counting to 20 or higher, writing their names and reading or pretending to read). Data from the National Household Education Survey show progress, but less than 40 percent of kids enter school with the skills needed to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Those without these skills—the majority of young children—are starting school already at a disadvantage. United Way is leading an effort that would measure more comprehensively all dimensions of school readiness at the beginning of kindergarten.Academic achievement means elementary-age students are prepared to succeed in later grades and to graduate from high school. If children are reading at grade level in fourth grade, they have a much better chance of handling more complex assignments in later grades. And if they are doing well, the chances are better, too, that they feel confident they can handle middle and high school classes. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading proficiency has improved over the last 10 years, but less than one-third of the nation’s fourth graders are rated “proficient” in reading.
Academic achievement is also reflected in on time high school graduation rates. The percentage of freshmen who enter high school and graduate four years later increased by a few points since 1997 to about 74 percent. But that still means more than 1 million students each year fail to get their diploma on time, as reported by the National Center on Education Statistics.
That number is unacceptably high. Dropping out means these young people will more than likely never earn enough to make ends meet. It means their children will be similarly disadvantaged and perhaps start kindergarten unprepared, thus perpetuating the cycle.
Finally, the last piece in understanding how education contributes to achieving the potential of children and youth:
Young adults, age 18 to 24, are making a successful transition from high school to the working world. They may be in college, in a training program or working, acquiring the experience they need to succeed as adults. The measure for this is the percentage of 18- to 24- year-olds who are neither working (full or part time) nor in school. This indicator should trend downward: that is, a decrease in the indicator means an increase in the percentage of young adults productively engaged after high school. And while the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows a slight improvement over the past decade, too many young adults— more than one in seven—are neither working nor attending school, even part time. When they fall between the cracks, our country suffers the consequences.
For more information on how the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region and its partner agencies are impacting education in Montgomery, Houston and Stewart counties and the Fort Campbell area or to help support your community, please visit liveunitedclarksville.org.
Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. It’s essential to getting and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits. And it’s fundamental to a community’s economic prosperity: a well-educated workforce attracts world-class jobs.
Today, 6,000 young people across the U.S. will drop out of school. That’s 1.2 million high school dropouts a year — and 1.2 million young adults closing the door of opportunity.Education is the key to getting a good job, one with a good income and health care. And it’s the key to our nation's productivity and global competitiveness. That’s why United Way has put a stake in the ground on education. Our goal is to cut the number of high school dropouts in half by 2018. United Way Worldwide has issued a challenge to all 1,300 United Ways across the nation and their community partners — and we want you to get involved, too.
High school dropouts are more than 12 years in the making. Children start learning at birth; the foundation for future learning is laid in the first few years. Disadvantaged children come to school at least two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills, and most never catch up. By 3rd grade, a child’s grades and absenteeism rates can predict with 90% accuracy whether he or she will complete high school. The entire education continuum, from birth through 21, must be in our collective crosshairs if we want to move the needle on high school graduation. That means making sure children are:
· Ready for school, starting with the social, emotional and cognitive skills they need to succeed;
· Reading on track by 4th grade;
· Transitioning successfully to middle school;
· Graduating high school on time;
· Working or in school by 21.
What’s the impact of high school dropouts in our community? United Way’s Common Good Forecaster™, found at www.liveunited.org/forecaster, can help you determine exactly how education affects our community’s future. For example, it can predict to what degree might higher levels of education in your county lower the poverty and unemployment rates – and boost incomes. But beyond jobs and incomes, it can show how changes in the educational level of a place affect its incarceration rate. Or the percentage of adults who are obese. Or even voter turnout in the next election.
What does it really take to improve education? Research shows that supportive communities, effective schools and strong families must be in place, supported by early, sustained investment and driven by proven strategies. United Way Worldwide has a framework to guide our education work, one that’s helping the 1,300 United Ways mobilize people around education.
But what matters most is individual involvement.
Research shows the strategies proven to work are those that connect communities to their schools: parent involvement; literacy volunteers in the classroom; mentors for disadvantaged students; business leaders engaged. These aren’t things government can do – but you can! Visit the “Give. Advocate. Volunteer." pages of www.liveunited.org to learn how you can make a difference in the schools of your community.
United Way Worldwide and the 1,300 United Ways across the nation have a 10 year goal.
· By 2018, 87 percent of high school seniors will graduate on time, up from 73.9 percent today.
· That increase translates to 560,000 more youth who will receive diplomas in 2018.
· An ill-prepared 12th grader does not one day magically appear in a cap and gown ready to pick up a diploma.
· This 10-year goal means we must engage with children and families from birth.
“Upon the education of the people the fate of this country depends.” Disraeli was speaking of his country, Great Britain, some 150 years ago, but these words capture the American belief in the critical importance of universal education. Education is the foundation for a good life, setting the individual on a path of personal fulfillment, economic security and societal contribution.
United Ways are highlighting three points in students’ lives that help predict success in school and later as adults: readiness to enter kindergarten, reading proficiency in fourth grade and on-time graduation from high school.
Readiness to succeed in school means that children enter kindergarten developmentally on track in the areas of literacy and in social, emotional and cognitive skills. One way to track pre-literacy and cognitive skills is by looking at the percentage of children ages 3 to 5 who have all or most of four commonly recognized school readiness skills (recognizing their letters, counting to 20 or higher, writing their names and reading or pretending to read). Data from the National Household Education Survey show progress, but less than 40 percent of kids enter school with the skills needed to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Those without these skills—the majority of young children—are starting school already at a disadvantage. United Way is leading an effort that would measure more comprehensively all dimensions of school readiness at the beginning of kindergarten.Academic achievement means elementary-age students are prepared to succeed in later grades and to graduate from high school. If children are reading at grade level in fourth grade, they have a much better chance of handling more complex assignments in later grades. And if they are doing well, the chances are better, too, that they feel confident they can handle middle and high school classes. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, reading proficiency has improved over the last 10 years, but less than one-third of the nation’s fourth graders are rated “proficient” in reading.
Academic achievement is also reflected in on time high school graduation rates. The percentage of freshmen who enter high school and graduate four years later increased by a few points since 1997 to about 74 percent. But that still means more than 1 million students each year fail to get their diploma on time, as reported by the National Center on Education Statistics.
That number is unacceptably high. Dropping out means these young people will more than likely never earn enough to make ends meet. It means their children will be similarly disadvantaged and perhaps start kindergarten unprepared, thus perpetuating the cycle.
Finally, the last piece in understanding how education contributes to achieving the potential of children and youth:
Young adults, age 18 to 24, are making a successful transition from high school to the working world. They may be in college, in a training program or working, acquiring the experience they need to succeed as adults. The measure for this is the percentage of 18- to 24- year-olds who are neither working (full or part time) nor in school. This indicator should trend downward: that is, a decrease in the indicator means an increase in the percentage of young adults productively engaged after high school. And while the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows a slight improvement over the past decade, too many young adults— more than one in seven—are neither working nor attending school, even part time. When they fall between the cracks, our country suffers the consequences.
For more information on how the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region and its partner agencies are impacting education in Montgomery, Houston and Stewart counties and the Fort Campbell area or to help support your community, please visit liveunitedclarksville.org.
UNITED WAY: A COMMUNITY IMPACT ORGANIZATION
Clarksville, TN, September 9, 2009 – Everyday another family loses their home, a child goes hungry, or another one of our neighbors loses their job. There are 32 different non-profit agencies partnering together to help those in need throughout Montgomery, Houston and Stewart Counties and the Fort Campbell Area. Assisting others is not their only thing in common. They are also a part of the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region’s family.The purpose of United Way and its partner agencies is to work together to advance the common good in your community by partnering with community leaders and experts to determine the most critical issues and address the underlying causes of those issues. Partnered together, they are also able to provide more resources for a community member who needs assistance for multiple reasons. Together, the United Way and the agencies are able to accomplish more than a single group can on its own. They work together to create brighter futures and opportunities for all by focusing on the building blocks of a good life: health, education and income. Everyone succeeds when children and youth achieve their potential through education, when families become financially stable and independent and when people are in good health.
The United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region does much more than distribute donations to the partner agencies. They provide unique, proactive solutions for all community members such as 2-1-1, Women’s Leadership Council, financial stability classes and free income tax assistance.
Supporting the United Way is important to your community because they focus on community solutions. They are the catalyst for community change providing a neutral table allowing diverse groups to partner together, collaborate and share knowledge for a better community. They create community involvement by making sure your gifts stay local to solve local problems and meet local needs. With over a hundred experienced and knowledgeable volunteers, each partner agency and program is carefully examined before and after each dollar is spent. After the evaluation by those volunteers, agencies and programs that are found most effective and vital receive funding.
The advantage of giving through United Way rather than giving directly to individual agencies is one donation supports 32 agencies and their programs, and helps more people in more ways than any single organization. It also provides one united campaign to reduce costs to the agencies, so more people, time and resources are available to do the real work of the agency. Administrative, fundraising and processing costs are very low, with only 12 percent overhead, which is much lower than the average 40 percent reported by the Better Business Bureau and the National Charities Information Bureau. United Way volunteers also ensure that gifts go to well-run agencies, insuring support is distributed where it is most needed and providing the community with a well balanced network of human services.
United Way agencies are held accountable to all United Way donors. Every United Way agency meets high standards to assure quality and efficiency. Each agency is recognized by the IRS as a non-profit organization, is governed by a volunteer board of directors, provides for human care needs, is audited regularly by an independent CPA firm, submits quarterly reports, presents and defends their entire budget to a panel of community volunteers every year, operates at a reasonable cost, and United Way distributions and audited financial statements are public information.
There are many options for supporting the United Way. The most efficient is through a workplace campaign. Through this, all materials are provided as well as an easy to follow guideline. Any size business or organization, small or large, can conduct a campaign. A workplace campaign gives more community members the opportunity to be a part of the change. Simply distribute the materials and return the pledges to the United Way. Many businesses and organizations use the United Way campaign as a team-building experience for their employees by offering volunteer opportunities, creating friendly competition between different departments and more. Other ways to support the United Way include individual giving, such as major gifts, mail and internet contributions, as well as corporate giving, grants and sponsorships, and through planned giving.
To begin a workplace campaign or to discuss planned giving options, please call the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region at (931) 647-4291. To make an individual or corporate contribution, simply mail it to United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, 1300 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
The United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region does much more than distribute donations to the partner agencies. They provide unique, proactive solutions for all community members such as 2-1-1, Women’s Leadership Council, financial stability classes and free income tax assistance.
Supporting the United Way is important to your community because they focus on community solutions. They are the catalyst for community change providing a neutral table allowing diverse groups to partner together, collaborate and share knowledge for a better community. They create community involvement by making sure your gifts stay local to solve local problems and meet local needs. With over a hundred experienced and knowledgeable volunteers, each partner agency and program is carefully examined before and after each dollar is spent. After the evaluation by those volunteers, agencies and programs that are found most effective and vital receive funding.
The advantage of giving through United Way rather than giving directly to individual agencies is one donation supports 32 agencies and their programs, and helps more people in more ways than any single organization. It also provides one united campaign to reduce costs to the agencies, so more people, time and resources are available to do the real work of the agency. Administrative, fundraising and processing costs are very low, with only 12 percent overhead, which is much lower than the average 40 percent reported by the Better Business Bureau and the National Charities Information Bureau. United Way volunteers also ensure that gifts go to well-run agencies, insuring support is distributed where it is most needed and providing the community with a well balanced network of human services.
United Way agencies are held accountable to all United Way donors. Every United Way agency meets high standards to assure quality and efficiency. Each agency is recognized by the IRS as a non-profit organization, is governed by a volunteer board of directors, provides for human care needs, is audited regularly by an independent CPA firm, submits quarterly reports, presents and defends their entire budget to a panel of community volunteers every year, operates at a reasonable cost, and United Way distributions and audited financial statements are public information.
There are many options for supporting the United Way. The most efficient is through a workplace campaign. Through this, all materials are provided as well as an easy to follow guideline. Any size business or organization, small or large, can conduct a campaign. A workplace campaign gives more community members the opportunity to be a part of the change. Simply distribute the materials and return the pledges to the United Way. Many businesses and organizations use the United Way campaign as a team-building experience for their employees by offering volunteer opportunities, creating friendly competition between different departments and more. Other ways to support the United Way include individual giving, such as major gifts, mail and internet contributions, as well as corporate giving, grants and sponsorships, and through planned giving.
To begin a workplace campaign or to discuss planned giving options, please call the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region at (931) 647-4291. To make an individual or corporate contribution, simply mail it to United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, 1300 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
Crisis 2-1-1: Helping Other, Help Themselves. By: Christa Flanders, Campaign Intern
In 1968, a well known three digit number, 9-1-1, was created to assist with emergencies. A common concern is what to do if you are having a problem that does not constitute as an emergency but you still need immediate assistance. Too often many of us give up on finding the help we need during a tough situation due to the trouble and time it takes to locate phone numbers or speak with the correct person.
Wrong numbers, automated systems and lack of time can be frustrating, especially during a crisis. Crisis 2-1-1 can assist you with any non-emergent, but critical, situations. The standard number to dial is 2-1-1. It is the number for any crisis no matter how big or small. This crisis avenue has been available, but not widely known about, for years. 2-1-1 is there to help those in need when they do not know where else to turn. This crisis hotline, which 98% of its funding is provided by United Way, takes over 8,000 calls a year and about 500 calls a month. The staff uses their training and directories to assist with a problem, completely eliminating the anxiety that come with solving any situation. 2-1-1 is a 24 hour anonymous and confidential service answered by a live person, making the response personal.
Every crisis is different. The number is easy outlet for anyone in need who seems overwhelmed by external or internal forces stemming from anything such as death of a loved one, divorce, neglect, depression, broken relationships, bad day at work or school or even if they just need someone to talk to. Crisis 2-1-1 staff are trained specialists who can quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the help they seek.
Crisis 2-1-1 has joined forces with the Montgomery, Stewart and Houston counties school systems to provide a quick and easy hotline for students. The students are able to anonymously report gangs in school, drugs, guns, bullies or any other type of violence. The 2-1-1 hotline also deals with the emotional aspect of school. This includes: suicide, depression, and relationships with parents, siblings or friends. Since this hotline is confidential and anonymous, it provides a place where students can have someone to listen to them. When regarding violence, guns, gangs, or other dangerous issues at school, the hotline will call the School Resource Officer in that school to report the problem. The crisis center also is a resource for teen suicide. It can provide help to the students who might be suicidal, but can also help family and friends with identifying whether or not a particular student has suicidal tendencies. All of this is available 24 hours a day and is confidential and anonymous.
Not only does Crisis 2-1-1 serve as a crisis call line and school safety hotline, but they also have the ability to qualify community members for food stamps. Anyone in need of food stamps can simply dial those three digits, find out if they qualify, for how much and are then provided the phone number to apply for that service. Since Crisis 2-1-1 is anonymous, any worry about identity theft is removed.
“Without the support from the community, volunteers and the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, we would not be able to provide this invaluable service to our neighbors. When someone needs a crisis intervention, we are there to listen and care,” says Terrie Williams, Executive Director for Crisis 2-1-1. Williams has been with the Crisis 2-1-1 (formerly the Crisis Intervention Center) since its origination 22 years ago.
Anyone needing information concerning utility assistance, food banks, counseling, employment, support groups, clubs, and more are welcome to dial 2-1-1.
Since 2-1-1 took its first call in March 1997, the use of 2-1-1 has become nation wide. The number is helping people and families in need feel like they have a safe, confidential place to call. The hotline was established by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta to make calling for a non life threatening crisis easy and since then, have helped people in need for 21 years.
So when adding the 9-1-1 and 4-1-1 numbers to your personal and family directories, as well as your refrigerator, please do not forget to add 2-1-1. This crisis hotline number is here for you. No matter where you are or what you need, 2-1-1 is there to help for free from any phone.
Crisis 2-1-1 is one of the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region’s 32 partner agencies and 501 ( c ) 3 organization. All funding is decided on a year-to year basis by volunteers after a thorough review of their financials and services. For more information about how you can help your community become a better place, please visit liveunitedclarksville.org.
Wrong numbers, automated systems and lack of time can be frustrating, especially during a crisis. Crisis 2-1-1 can assist you with any non-emergent, but critical, situations. The standard number to dial is 2-1-1. It is the number for any crisis no matter how big or small. This crisis avenue has been available, but not widely known about, for years. 2-1-1 is there to help those in need when they do not know where else to turn. This crisis hotline, which 98% of its funding is provided by United Way, takes over 8,000 calls a year and about 500 calls a month. The staff uses their training and directories to assist with a problem, completely eliminating the anxiety that come with solving any situation. 2-1-1 is a 24 hour anonymous and confidential service answered by a live person, making the response personal.
Every crisis is different. The number is easy outlet for anyone in need who seems overwhelmed by external or internal forces stemming from anything such as death of a loved one, divorce, neglect, depression, broken relationships, bad day at work or school or even if they just need someone to talk to. Crisis 2-1-1 staff are trained specialists who can quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the help they seek.
Crisis 2-1-1 has joined forces with the Montgomery, Stewart and Houston counties school systems to provide a quick and easy hotline for students. The students are able to anonymously report gangs in school, drugs, guns, bullies or any other type of violence. The 2-1-1 hotline also deals with the emotional aspect of school. This includes: suicide, depression, and relationships with parents, siblings or friends. Since this hotline is confidential and anonymous, it provides a place where students can have someone to listen to them. When regarding violence, guns, gangs, or other dangerous issues at school, the hotline will call the School Resource Officer in that school to report the problem. The crisis center also is a resource for teen suicide. It can provide help to the students who might be suicidal, but can also help family and friends with identifying whether or not a particular student has suicidal tendencies. All of this is available 24 hours a day and is confidential and anonymous.
Not only does Crisis 2-1-1 serve as a crisis call line and school safety hotline, but they also have the ability to qualify community members for food stamps. Anyone in need of food stamps can simply dial those three digits, find out if they qualify, for how much and are then provided the phone number to apply for that service. Since Crisis 2-1-1 is anonymous, any worry about identity theft is removed.
“Without the support from the community, volunteers and the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, we would not be able to provide this invaluable service to our neighbors. When someone needs a crisis intervention, we are there to listen and care,” says Terrie Williams, Executive Director for Crisis 2-1-1. Williams has been with the Crisis 2-1-1 (formerly the Crisis Intervention Center) since its origination 22 years ago.
Anyone needing information concerning utility assistance, food banks, counseling, employment, support groups, clubs, and more are welcome to dial 2-1-1.
Since 2-1-1 took its first call in March 1997, the use of 2-1-1 has become nation wide. The number is helping people and families in need feel like they have a safe, confidential place to call. The hotline was established by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta to make calling for a non life threatening crisis easy and since then, have helped people in need for 21 years.
So when adding the 9-1-1 and 4-1-1 numbers to your personal and family directories, as well as your refrigerator, please do not forget to add 2-1-1. This crisis hotline number is here for you. No matter where you are or what you need, 2-1-1 is there to help for free from any phone.
Crisis 2-1-1 is one of the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region’s 32 partner agencies and 501 ( c ) 3 organization. All funding is decided on a year-to year basis by volunteers after a thorough review of their financials and services. For more information about how you can help your community become a better place, please visit liveunitedclarksville.org.
United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region receives $5,000 grant from The Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunity for all in its commitment to their communities. By providing support to organizations like United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, they are advancing the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, income that can support a family through retirement and good health. Advancing the common good is key to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s strategy to build capacities that truly make a difference.On September 22, 2009, officials from Bank of America presented the check to the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. Pictured from left to right is : Beckie Moore, United Way Executive Director; Phil Harpel, Bank of America; Melinda Knox, United Way Office Manager; Marcela Thornhill, Bank of America; Andrea Smith, Bank of America; and Heather Vincent, Bank of America.
DOC Monkey Is Found!
Congratulations to James Mason of Clarksville, TN on guessing where DOC Monkey was Living United for the month of September.
Clues:
1. Our first location was on Madison Street.
2. We have 5 locations.
3. We'll "Electrify" you with our customer service.
Location: Planters Bank
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
D.O.C. Monkey's Journey
It was a hot and sunny day, August 15, 2009 to be exact when I became D.O.C. Monkey. My new owners told me that I was named by Ron Reynolds from Bridgestone Metalpha, USA in honor of the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region’s annual Days of Caring event. You may think it is an unusual name, but it represents all the good work in our community and those in need of assistance.Little did I know when I was picked from numerous other sock monkeys that I would get to embark on a journey of a lifetime. So far I have traveled to Wal-Mart, to Kroger for groceries, played a round of Bunco and even had my first adjustment by Dr. Kenneth Gilman of Clarksville Chiropractic. During work hours, I have taken the time to get informed on all the good that United Way does, made a pledge and have assisted with other daily office duties.
While learning about United Way, I decided that I was going to make an effort to live united in our community and also teach others how to live united. Now, you may be wondering how a monkey is going to teach anyone how to live united. Here is your answer.
I will be visiting various businesses for a month at a time that support the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region throughout this year’s campaign. During my stay, my hosts and I will be living united by giving, advocating and volunteering. My goal is to bring happiness to all I come into contact with.
It takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own. Please join me in living united and be a part of the change. Be a part of improving the health, education and income of people in our community.
You can make change happen with your gift, with your voice and with your time. The United Way is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. When we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That’s what it means to live united. So do something, any little something, as long as it is something.
If you would like to follow my travels, please follow this blog as there will be hints as to where I am living united that month. I challenge each of you to guess where I am. When you figure it out, please call the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region at 931-647-4291. If you are correct, you win a prize.
Sincerely,
D.O.C Monkey
Thursday, July 23, 2009
LIVE UNITED IN CLARKSVILLE BY PARTICIPATING IN THE 2009 DAYS OF CARING AND “THE BEST OF UNITED WAY”
Clarksville, TN - In 1993, the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region launched the first Day of Caring for our community. The goal was to show members in the community how to live united through their contributions, how the partner agencies of United Way affect people’s lives and to demonstrate how their support through volunteering and contributing creates the opportunities for a good life for all by advancing the common good. Those Days of Caring volunteers accomplished many things including; cleaning and painting, working with disadvantaged children, delivering meals and building wheel-chair ramps. That first Day of Caring was a resounding success because our local business leaders allowed their employees to take a half day, or even a full day, off with pay so their employees could volunteer their time working at any one of United Way’s partner agencies.Last year, over 400 volunteers from all walks of life in our community participated in Days of Caring. Through their efforts, important work was accomplished, but more importantly, they became actively engaged in our community and learned that when they reach out a hand to one, they influence the condition of all by giving, advocating and volunteering.
Some examples of what volunteers accomplished during Days of Caring last year:
*Meals for home-bound seniors were prepared, packaged and delivered
*Food was stocked and arranged and meals prepared and served at The Salvation Army
*Volunteers worked with the clients at the Adult Day Care program Seniors at the Senior Citizens Center were helped with dance and creative writing classes and with recreational activities like bingo and shuffleboard
*The grounds of the Progressive Directions and the United Way office were landscaped
*Volunteers read to the children at the local Head Start sites
This year, the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region is again reaching out to encourage the public to get involved and LIVE UNITED in our community by participating in the
five-day event, Days of Caring.
This year’s Days of Caring event is scheduled for August 10th through the 15th. To thank and recognize volunteers, United Way will provide them with a commemorative t-shirt to wear during their volunteer time. Days of Caring will wrap up with the annual United Way Volunteer Recognition and Campaign Kick-off celebration. This year’s celebration, “The Best of United Way,” will begin at 5:30 pm on Saturday, August 15th at McGregor Park on Riverside Drive with music by the Beagles and some singer-songwriters from Nashville. Partner Agencies will provide fun and games for the whole family. Come out and vote on the best partner agency game and booth décor. The winner will be crowned the “Best of United Way.”
Food for the event will be provided on a first come first serve basis and will be sponsored by Backyard Burgers, Coca-Cola Bottling Company and DQ Grill and Chill. Other sponsors of the event include 94.3 The Eagle, Fort Campbell Federal Credit Union, Home City Ice, Legends Bank, The Leaf Chronicle, Planters Bank, Perdue Acoustics and US Bank. The event is free and open to the public. Please leave all pets and alcohol at home.
Volunteer Sign-up sheets and release forms for Days of Caring are available online at
http://www.liveunitedclarksville.org/, or at the United Way office, 1300 Madison Street, through July 31st. Any materials and/or supplies necessary to complete the assigned tasks will be provided by the participating agencies. For more information about Days of Caring, see the website or call the United Way office at (931) 647-4291.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
UPS TO LIVE UNITED IN CLARKSVILLE IN UNITED WAY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Clarksville, TN, July 21, 2009 –UPS is inviting you to join the movement and Live United as they host a golf tournament to help raise funds for the United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. Last year, UPS was able to raise just over $5,640.00 to help advance the common good in the communities of Montgomery, Houston and Stewart counties and the Fort Campbell area. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. That’s what it means to Live United.
The event is a four person scramble and will be held on August 1, 2009 at Eastland Green Golf Course with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The Shotgun Shot will kick off the tournament at 8 a.m. The cost is $65.00 per single player or a $260.00 Foursome Fee. Anyone wanting to sponsor a hole may do so for $100.00 or $320.00 for a Corporate Sponsor which will include sponsoring a hole and a Foursome. Entry fees include green fee, cart and lunch.
A silent auction will also take place with items such as an autographed picture of PGA Tour Golfer John Daley, an autographed picture of former pro football player Joe Theisman, and a letter from pro-golfer Robert Jones and more. This year’s event is sponsored in part by Golden Rule, Kroger, O’Charleys, Old Chicago, Olive Garden, Outback Steak House, Rafferty’s, Ruby Tuesdays and Wal-Mart and more.
The United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, survives solely upon donations and grants, and is working to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life for all: Education, Health and Income.
For more information or to register, please contact the Golf Coordinator for UPS at 931-552-3478. Limited to 144 golfers.
The event is a four person scramble and will be held on August 1, 2009 at Eastland Green Golf Course with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The Shotgun Shot will kick off the tournament at 8 a.m. The cost is $65.00 per single player or a $260.00 Foursome Fee. Anyone wanting to sponsor a hole may do so for $100.00 or $320.00 for a Corporate Sponsor which will include sponsoring a hole and a Foursome. Entry fees include green fee, cart and lunch.
A silent auction will also take place with items such as an autographed picture of PGA Tour Golfer John Daley, an autographed picture of former pro football player Joe Theisman, and a letter from pro-golfer Robert Jones and more. This year’s event is sponsored in part by Golden Rule, Kroger, O’Charleys, Old Chicago, Olive Garden, Outback Steak House, Rafferty’s, Ruby Tuesdays and Wal-Mart and more.
The United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, survives solely upon donations and grants, and is working to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life for all: Education, Health and Income.
For more information or to register, please contact the Golf Coordinator for UPS at 931-552-3478. Limited to 144 golfers.
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