It takes just ONE person to change ONE life.

It takes just ONE person
to change ONE life.
United Way of Cass-Clay is helping local children do better
in school, getting struggling families back on their feet, and
providing meals to those who might not otherwise eat today.
OUR MISSION & VISION
WHO WE ARE
NONPROFIT
PRIVATE
United Way of Cass-Clay works at the intersection of the private, public, philanthropic and nonprofit
sectors. We are community builders, leaders, unifiers, and champions. We are connectors and
information resource brokers. We inspire philanthropic investments that are volunteer-driven.
OUR MISSION
United Way of Cass-Clay
PUBLIC
United Way of Cass-Clay connects people to people, needs to resources, and experts to advocates
to improve lives and advance the common good throughout Cass and Clay Counties.
PHILANTHROPIC
OUR VISION
United Way of Cass-Clay’s new way of working is about helping one person at a time while focusing
on improving systems to help all of us succeed. Together we will focus on making investments in
areas of Education, Income Stability, Health and Basic Needs, such as food, shelter and safety.
OUR STRATEGY
United Way of Cass-Clay is engaging those who make a commitment to LIVE UNITED and invite
them to GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER to serve individuals and families who need support in
creating better opportunities for themselves and their families.
8 UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY
WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE DO
HOW WE DO IT
CHANGING THE WAY WE WORK
WE ARE MORE THAN CHARITY, WE ARE CHANGE
Together with our partners, we are changing the way we invest in our community.
At United Way of Cass-Clay we believe the dollars we raise are more than charity, they are investments in the economic development
and well-being of our entire region. These investments impact the future of every individual and family in our local community.
INVESTING IN UNITED WAY MEANS INVESTING
IN THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GOOD LIFE
PREPARING CHILDREN & YOUTH
FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL & LIFE
PROMOTING FINANCIAL
STABILITY & INDEPENDENCE
EMPOWERING PEOPLE
TO LEAD HEALTHY LIVES
BASIC NEEDS
FOOD
SAFETY
SHELTER
VULNERABLE
INDIVIDUALS
Hungry bellies and hungry minds will only allow the cycle of poverty to continue.
1 in 8 people in Cass and Clay Counties live in poverty–that’s 28,000 people and 6,000 are children.
Every day, United Way is committed to slowing the cycle of poverty.
This commitment helps thousands of people now, while strengthening our community for generations to come.
LIVE UNITED
9
“
It isn’t about “homeless people.”
The reality is, it is a person who is homeless.
They are people first. Homelessness just happens
to be the situation they find themselves in—it is
not who they are.
Once someone is in that cycle of homeless or
cycle of poverty, it is so hard to break out of it.
Sometimes people think that in order to help
they have to have large amount of time or
money. The truth is in order to help, we
just need to care enough
to do something.
”
-Rob Swiers
Community Partner
Executive Director
Staff at a Community Partner discuss how the issue of homelessness can be addressed in our community.
-Rob Swiers, Community Partner Excutive Director
UNITED FOR JEFFERSON NEIGHBORHOOD
In response to a high number of referrals to Cass County Social Services stemming from the Jefferson Neighborhood, a group of community
leaders asked United Way to convene a group of nonprofit professionals working with individuals and families in this neighborhood.
The Jefferson Neighborhood is located in Fargo and refers to the area of Main Avenue (North) to 13th Avenue South (South) and
University Drive (East) to 25th Street South (West).
United Way continues to engage, convene and lead more than 20 organizations from the nonprofit, government, and public sectors to
collaboratively identify the needs of families in the neighborhood and opportunities to collectively meet those needs.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORKING
IN JEFFERSON NEIGHBORHOOD
Bhutanese Community
Big Brother Big Sister
Cass County Social Services
CHARISM
City of Fargo
Community Homes
Cultural Diversity Resources
Family Healthcare Center
Fargo Park District
Fargo Police Department
Fargo Public Schools
Indian Education
Gladys Ray Shelter
Immigration Law Professionals
Islamic Center
Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Neighborhood Association
Junior Achievement
Native American Center
Nokomis Child Care Center
South East Education Cooperative
The Village Family Service Center
United Way of Cass-Clay
YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties
SouthEastern North Dakota
Community Action Agency
(SENDCAA)
UNITED FOR JEFFERSON NEIGHBORHOOD GOALS
PREPARE children entering kindergarten for academic success
CREATE safe, stable, and affordable housing options
SUPPORT culturally appropriate programming for residents
IMPROVE neighborhood safety
To support the goals, United Way has invested in several core strategies including:
• Parent engagement and literacy programs for targeted families
• Child care scholarships for income-eligible families to receive quality early childhood education
• Programs designed to increase attendance for identified students
• School-based mentor programs for students in need
“AT FARGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE COLLABORATE WITH
UNITED WAY SO WE CAN MEET ALL OF THE ACADEMIC,
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT WELL-EDUCATED
STUDENTS TEND TO LEAD BETTER AND MORE
SUCCESSFUL LIVES AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.”
-Dr. Jeff Schatz, Fargo Public Schools Superintendent
LIVE UNITED
15
“
When children don’t have enough support at home,
United Way Community Partners fill that gap after school
and during the summer months.
The children we serve are our future generation. They’re the kids
that are going to be working our jobs someday. They’re going to be
the ones making decisions and leading our city and state.
”
Investing in children early is what we need to do.
-UNITED for Education Community Partner
Student impacted by a Community Partner is interviewed
about how her after school program helps her and her family.
UNITED FOR EDUCATION
When you invest with United Way of Cass-Clay you’re investing in the future.
In 2013, United Way Cass-Clay convened 25 nonprofit service providers focused on developing a coordinated strategy
to tackle the challenges facing our youth. That effort created the UNITED for Education Collaborative.
Through this new partnership, we invest in opportunities for children to attend high quality early childhood education
experiences that ensure they are prepared for their first day of kindergarten. We invest in school and after school
programs that create safe, engaging places for struggling or at-risk children to learn. Finally, we invest in parents
to teach them the skills they need to help their children and families succeed. Taken together, United Way’s funding
strategy is focused, innovative and research driven.
UNITED WAY INVESTS IN EDUCATION THROUGH THESE FOCUS AREAS
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
FAMILY
MENTAL
HEALTH
OUT OF SCHOOL
TIME
PROGRAMMING
PARENT/
GUARDIAN
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY PARTNERS WORKING IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION
Boy Scouts of America, Northern Lights Council
Youth Development
Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley / Youth Commission
Boys & Girls Club Programming/Youth Commission
Scholarship Program
Catholic Charities of North Dakota
Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to
Chronic Stress (SPARCS)
CHARISM
Build a Neighborhood, Achieve a Dream
Children’s Consultation Network
Moorhead Area Public Schools
Keys to Kindergarten and Jump Start
Fargo Public Schools
Even Start Family Literacy Program
Fargo Cass Public Health
Fargo Cass Nurse Family Partnership
Girl Scouts – Dakota Horizons
Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership
Child Care Aware
Head Start
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota
Youth Court
North Dakota State University
Upward Bound
South East Education Cooperative
Gearing Up for Kindergarten
North Dakota Reading Corps
SouthEastern North Dakota Community Action Agency
(SENDCAA)
SENDCAA Child Care Center
Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals
Incredible Years
TNT Kid’s Fitness & Gymnastics Academy
Mobile Fitness Labs
The Village Family Service Center
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Counseling Services
Nokomis Child Care Center
Truancy Intervention Program
YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties
YMCA Child Care Scholarships
Youthworks of North Dakota
Brief Family Counseling Program
YWCA Cass Clay
A Child’s World
LIVE UNITED 17
IMAGINATION LIBRARY
2013 marks the tenth year of providing children with books in the mail through the Imagination Library program. Imagination Library provides children residing in Cass or Clay Counties,
ages birth through five, with a free book in the mail each month and sparks a love for reading. Children participating can build a home library of 60 books before they enter kindergarten!
As parents are a child’s first teacher, Imagination Library gives parents a fun and easy way to get involved with their child’s early education.
10
2,433
YEARS
CHILDREN
Studies show that 97% of parents surveyed report that
the program has encouraged them to read more to and
with their children.
18 UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY
WHO WE ARE
Since 2003, nearly 31,000 children have
received books from United Way.
WHAT WE DO
HOW WE DO IT
106,306
BOOKS
Since 2003, over 967,000 books have been sent to
local children throughout Cass and Clay Counties.
TESTIMONIAL FROM CHIP OR TRAVIS
Concordia student reads an Imagination Library book to a child during
a volunteer event held at a Community Partner child care center.
“
I feel a weight lifted just a bit knowing my son will have the
proper materials to help him learn and grow in his education.
He won’t have the distraction or worry every day about whether or not he will have a
pencil to use or a backpack to put his things in, unlike his older sister who had to
carry her supplies in a plastic bag because we didn’t have money for a backpack.
We are grateful for your help! Thank you!
”
-Parent of a School Supply Drive Recipient
School Supply Drive Volunteer helps distribute backpacks
to families in need during the School Supply Drive.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
The United Way School Supply Drive provides students in need with a new backpack and grade-appropriate school supplies so they
can start school in the fall confident, ready to learn, and prepared to succeed. In 2013, we partnered with hundreds of businesses
and individuals and engaged more than 450 volunteers to pack and distribute the backpacks and school supplies.
4,744
STUDENTS
53
LOCAL
SCHOOLS
BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED BY ANNUAL INCOME
40%$0-14,999
19% $15,000-24,999
11% $25,000-34,999
6%
$35,000-44,999
24%
Over $45,000 or Not Reported
BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED BY COUNTY
27% Clay County
73% Cass County
TOP 5 SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE BACKPACKS
256
Cheney Middle School (West Fargo)
254
West Fargo High School (West Fargo)
247
Horizon Middle School (Moorhead)
229
Robert Asp Elementary School (Moorhead)
220
Fargo South High School (Fargo)
BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED BY GRADE
27% Grades K-2
29% Grades 3-5
21% Grades 6-8
23% Grades 9-12
82% of families utilized the federal free
& reduced lunch program (self-reported)
450+
VOLUNTEERS
Kristina Heggedal,
Philanthrophy and Youth Intern
Children from a local day care center held a lemonade stand and
used the proceeds to buy new school supplies for students in need.
Volunteers from UPS & Swanson Health Products
stepped forward to help transport school supplies.
LIVE UNITED
21
1 OUT OF 8 PEOPLE
in Cass and Clay Counties
LIVE IN POVERTY
That’s 28,121 local people and
6,000 are children.
NOT
The SINGLE BIGGEST contributing
factor to the achievement gap is
RACE
GENDER
ETHNICITY
IT IS POVERTY.
CHILDREN who receive
QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
ARE
50%
LESS LIKELY to require special education
which saves America BILLIONS
in annual education costs.
The state of
NORTH DAKOTA
spends
$10,000 PER YEAR
on 1 student and
$39,000 PER YEAR
on 1 prison inmate.
25%
of our
LOCAL ADULT
HOMELESS POPULATION
had thier first
experience of of homelessness
22 UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY
WHO WE ARE WHAT WE DO HOW WE DO IT
In 2013, United Way produced a video highlighting statistics from our community. The video was widely shared which gave community members the opportunity
to learn more about the needs of local individuals and families through these statistics. Details and sources are available at www.unitedwaycassclay.org.
AS A CHILD.
The average Reading & Math achievement gap
between kids in poverty and ALL kids is
15% across our local school districts.
That means kids in poverty are scoring
LOWER on their Math & Reading Assessments
These disparities often show as early
as the FIRST test a child takes.
North Dakota’s UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
rate is
3.1%
That’s the LOWEST in the nation…
In Cass and Clay Counties
there is a SHORTAGE of
18,000 CHILD CARE SLOTS
which means it is possible that
18,000 CHILDREN are
WAITING FOR
QUALITY CHILD CARE.
The average cost for licensed child care
in our community is
$8,000 PER YEAR…PER CHILD.
for a family living in poverty,
this equates to
YET
13% of our LOCAL population
LIVES IN POVERTY
90%
of a child’s BRAIN
is developed BEFORE
the age of
5.
1/3 of their TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME (per child).
RESEARCH TELLS US
Breaking the cycle of poverty is
POSSIBLE...IF WE FOCUS
on the issue of
EDUCATION.
LIVE UNITED
23
UNITED WAY 35 UNDER 35
OUR MISSION:
To MOBILIZE the caring power of women, ENERGIZE & INSPIRE
women to make a difference and, DEEPEN LEADERSHIP
opportunities in the Cass-Clay community for young women.
2013 UNITED WAY 35 UNDER 35 WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEER
COORDINATOR &
SESSION LEADER:
Naomi Schempp
SESSION LEADER:
Tonya Stende
SESSION LEADER:
Jennifer Narum
SESSION LEADER:
Shara Fischer
CO-LEADER:
Tiffaney Holm
CO-LEADER:
Stephanie Roers
CO-LEADER:
Kristen Hintermeyer
Tammy Miller, CEO of Border States Electric, and United Way advocate
addresses the 2013 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program
participants and community members during her keynote presentation
at the final session celebration held at the NDSU Alumni Center.
“IDENTIFYING AND ANALYZING OUR TOP 5 STRENGTHS INCREASED MY
CONFIDENCE IN THE SKILLS I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MY COMPANY.
24
SESSION LEADER:
Sara Pratt Gjerdevig
SESSION LEADER:
Betsy Stadick
CO-LEADER:
Jenny Krag
CO-LEADER:
Megan Lind
UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY
WHO WE ARE
APPLICATION &
INTERVIEW LEADER:
Jill Staffne
WHAT WE DO
HOW WE DO IT
IT ALSO OPENED MY EYES TO SOME OF MY SKILLS THAT I MAYBE
HAVEN’T BEEN SO CONFIDENT ABOUT AND HAVE NOW BEEN ABLE
TO SHARE THOSE WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND ORGANIZATION.”
-Katie Froeber, Dynamic Communities, Inc., 2013 Participant
UNITED WAY 35 UNDER 35
2013 UNITED WAY 35 UNDER 35
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Lorael Arnquist, Pitney Bowes
Emily Berg, North Dakota State University
Kimberly Busch, TMI Hospitality, Inc.
Erin Buzick, U.S. Bank
Laura Caroon, Frozen Music Studios Photography
Emilie DeWitte, Tastefully Simple
Kristi Engelstad, F-M Ambulance Service
Jen Engquist, Churches United for the Homeless
Katie Froeber, Dynamic Communities, Inc.
Bobbiann Froemke, Sundog
Stephanie Goetz, Valley News Live/Hoak Media
Jayne Gust, Sanford Health
Ashley Hahn, Intelligent InSites
Julia Hell, YWCA Cass Clay
Nicole Holden, Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau
Chrissy Hollermann, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Becki Johnson, Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership
Beth Nelson, Prairie Heights Community Church
Amanda Nygaard, Sundog
Melissa Oberlander, Community of Care
Caryn Olson, Scheels
Lacey Planteen, Region V Community Development Corporation
Andrea Rabenberg, Cargill Global Business Services
Tiffany Reese
Melissa Rydell, Roers
Kris Santjer, Essentia Health
Heidi Shaffer, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead
Hannah Sorensen, Thrivent Financial
Katie Sullivan, Ulteig Engineers, Inc.
Jill Sundheim, Roers
Danielle Teigen, FMWF Chamber
Kayla Thykeson, Border States Electric
Ashley Vangsness, Titan Machinery, Inc.
Maggie Walker, Microsoft
Jessi Zenker, RDO Equipment Co.
SHARE A STORY FAMILY LITERACY EVENT
1,600
CHILDREN &
FAMILIES
Each spring, United Way partners with the Fargo Park District and
Prairie Public Broadcasting to co-host Share A Story Family Literacy
Event. This event encourages caregivers to take an active role in their
children’s literacy. Children and families enjoyed a day of storytelling,
literacy activities, meeting costumed character Arthur and much more.
Last year, the United Way 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program
provided over 30 volunteers and helped children make and pick out
books, painted faces, and prepared food to ensure a fun afternoon.
LIVE UNITED
25
Senior citizen who received help during Day of Caring smiles
at the volunteers who spent their afternoon at her home.
DAY OF CARING
The 22nd Annual Day of Caring was our largest volunteer
event in our history. 1,625 individuals from 113 businesses
volunteered their time to assist 389 local senior citizens
in their homes.
Local seniors requested help with basic housework, from
fixing snowblowers to creating paved walkways. They
enjoyed an afternoon of companionship as well as help
from the caring United Way volunteers.
1,625
VOLUNTEERS
389
SENIORS
113
BUSINESSES
LIVE UNITED
27
It’s more than a shirt–it is making a commitment to
partner with United Way to help those in need
and bring about social change in our community.
More than 1,650 LIVE UNITED shirts were sold and 55
businesses and organizations joined in our 2nd Annual
LIVE UNITED Tshirt Day. Thank you for participating!
These people don’t just wear the shirt, they live it!
WHEN YOU INVEST IN UNITED WAY OF CASS-CLAY , YOU INVEST IN THESE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND PROGRAMS
American Red Cross, Dakotas Region
Emergency Services Program
Barnesville Area Helpers
Block Nurse Program
Boy Scouts of America, Northern
Lights Council
Comprehensive Youth Development Program
Boys & Girls Club of the Red River
Valley/Youth Commission
Boys & Girls Club Programming
Catholic Charities North Dakota
Guardianship Program
SPARCS Program
CHARISM
Youth Development Program
Churches United for the Homeless
Emergency Shelter
Community of Care
Once Stop Service Center
Creative Care for Reaching
Independence, Inc. (CCRI)
Independent by Design Program
Fargo Public Schools-Fargo Adult
Learning Center
Even Start Family Literacy Program
Fargo Cass Public Health
Nurse Family Partnership Program
Fargo-Moorhead Dorothy Day House of
Hospitality
Emergency Shelter
Food Pantry
FirstLink
211 Information & Crisis Services
FM Coalition for Homeless Persons
Single Point of Entry Program
Fraser, Ltd.
Stepping Stones Resource Center
Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons
Youth Enrichment Program
Guardian, Fiduciary and Advocacy
Services (GFA)
Guardianship Services
Healthcare Equipment Recycling
Organization (HERO)
Affordable Healthcare Supplies
Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity
Family Support Services
Lakes and Prairies Community Action
Partnership, Inc.
Childcare Aware
Headstart
Rainbow Bridge
Transitional Housing Program
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
Kids Legal Aid Program
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Caregiver Support Program
Guardianship Services Program
Lutheran Social Services of North
Dakota
Geriatric Care Management
Great Plains Food Bank
Senior Companion Program
Youthcourt
Moorhead Area Public Schools
Jump Start
New Life Center
Emergency Shelter & Services
North Dakota Autism Center
AuSome Kids Day Program
North Dakota State University
Upward Bound
Rape & Abuse Crisis Center
Domestic Violence Services
Sexual Assault Services
Legal Advocacy
Rebuilding Together, Inc.
Rebuilding Together Program
Red River Children's Advocacy Center
Forensic Interview Program
Red River Human Services Foundation
Activity Center
Rural Enrichment and Counseling
Headquarters (REACH)
Food Pantry
Salvation Army
Emergency Assistance Program
Hot Meals Program
Sexual Abuse Treatment Program
(SATP)
Sexual Abuse Treatment Program
Sisters of the Presentation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Presentation Partners in Housing
Solutions Behavioral Healthcare
Professionals, Inc.
Incredible Years Program
South Central Adult Services
Prescription Assistance Program
South East Education Cooperative
(SEEC)
Gearing Up for Kindergarten
North Dakota Reading Corps
SouthEastern North Dakota Community
Action Agency (SENDCAA)
Children’s Consultation Network
Childcare Center
Youth Individual Developoment Program
The Village Family Service Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
Nokomis Childcare Center
Truancy Intervention Program & Financial
Counseling
TNT Kid's Fitness & Gymnastics
Academy
Mobile Fitness Labs
Special Needs Program
Vocational Training Center
Center-Based Employment Program
YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties
Childcare Scholarships Program
Youthworks
Family Support Program
Street Outreach Program
YWCA Cass Clay
A Child’s World Childcare Center
Emergency Shelter
Transitional Housing
Permanent Housing
LEARN MORE AT
WWW.UNITEDWAYCASSCLAY.ORG
CLICK ON “HOW WE HELP”FOR PROGRAM
DESCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS