- United Way of Central Ohio

LIVING UNITED
2010, ISSUE IV
United Way Welcomes New Corporate Partners
As Momentum Builds to Reach Campaign Goal
Longtime Partners Step Up Giving to Help Meet Increased Needs
United Way of Central Ohio is on its way to reaching its
2010 campaign goal – a 5% increase over last year’s
campaign. This is a clear indication of the generosity of
the people of central Ohio, and a great achievement in
an economy that continues to struggle.
One of the ways United Way volunteers and staff have
been able to build this momentum is through an effort
called Leading Edge which focuses on reaching out to
small- and medium-sized businesses, educating them
about the work of United Way and inviting them to
conduct workplace campaigns.
During this campaign, 25 Leading Edge companies
have joined the United Way family. “Giving, advocating
and volunteering through United Way is a great way
for companies to become better connected with our
community,” said Randy Sleeper, Leading Edge chair.
United Way has also spent time building relationships
with larger companies, and for the 2010 campaign two
large companies have begun workplace giving efforts –
NetJets and Sanese. United Way Member Agencies’ staff
have also increased their giving in this time of great need.
Another key element of the campaign’s success is the
increased giving by longtime United Way supporters
like Nationwide and Limited Brands – both of which
have seen significant growth in their 2010 workplace
campaigns. “Associates at Limited Brands have been
even more generous in their giving this year because they
understand more people need their gifts and United Way
will make effective use of every dollar donated,” said
Martyn Redgrave, EVP and Chief Administrative Officer
at Limited Brands.
New Members of the United Way Family
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Battelle for Kids
Cassidy Turley
Bexley City Schools
Cohen & Company
Columbus Neighborhood
Health Center, Inc.
ComDoc
CoreSource
Daimler
Dana Corporation
Dinsmore & Shohl
Elmer’s Products, Inc.
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Hanlin Rainaldi
Construction
Hill Distributing
Hispanic Chamber
of Columbus
LifeSkills
Manpower Professional
McGladrey
Nesco Resource
NetJets
Residential Finance
Corporation
Roetzel & Andress
Sanese
Sheakley
Stanley Security Solutions
SWACO
Nationwide’s headquarters
shines with the Live United
message. Nationwide has long
been a national leader in
United Way giving and this
year their campaign has risen
significantly.
Help People Meet Basic Needs with the New
United Way Giving Certificate
Just in time for holiday gift-giving, United Way is introducing its new Giving
Certificate. Now, United Way supporters can help their fellow central
Ohioans meet their basic needs while honoring a friend or relative. Here’s
how it works:
• Go to liveunitedcentralohio.org and select the Giving Certificate icon.
• Select your gift amount and fill in the name of the person you wish to
honor. Make your donation online using our secure server.
• Print your gift certificate, or choose to have United Way send it directly
to the recipient via email.
Each Giving Certificate will contain information about the basic needs the
gift will help meet. For example, a $50 Giving Certificate will help provide
two families in crisis with a three-day supply of food. Show how you care
for your friends and for our community by giving the new United Way Giving
Certificate.
President’s Update
Helping people meet their basic needs
has always been, and always will be
an important part of the work of United
Way of Central Ohio. No one can reach
their true potential if they are hungry
or homeless. So, ensuring people have
basic necessities is the foundation
of all of our work. And right now
that foundation needs strengthening
because of an unprecedented rise in
people who need help.
Let me give you a clear example of the increased needs we face. Community
leaders have spent years building one of the foremost systems in our
nation to combat homelessness and get people into permanent housing. It
works well, but its capacity is strained by the number of people who need
temporary shelter. For example, the YWCA Family Center, one of the many
facilities providing basic needs supported by United Way, is full this winter
and the overflow of families seeking shelter are being temporarily housed
in hotels. In the past, there has been ample room at the center in the fall
and winter.
There are many other signs of increased need. For the first time, Ohio is now
one of the top ten states for hunger. According to a report recently released
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, almost 680,000 families, or 14.8% of
our state’s population did not have enough food at some point during 2009.
That’s an increase of 13.3% from 2008, when Ohio ranked 12th in the nation.
Many of those families are our friends and neighbors here in central Ohio
and they are asking for our help.
Given the extraordinary need, AEP Ohio and United Way teamed up to
create The AEP $1 Million Community Challenge for Basic Needs. AEP Ohio
generously donated $600,000 and together we are challenging our donors
to pledge an additional $400,000 to bring the total to $1 million. All of the
money pledged will go to support United Way-funded programs that help
people with their basic needs.
We have made great progress in raising money for The AEP
Challenge, but we have not yet reached our goal. To help
us get there, we are introducing the United Way Giving
Certificate. You can find details on the Giving Certificate on
the front page of this newsletter. It is a quick and easy way
to honor a friend or family member during the holidays and
help ensure that more people in our community are able to
meet their basic needs at the same time.
We are fortunate to live in such a caring and giving
community. Year after year, central Ohio ranks at the top of
the list of generous communities. The increase in pledges
to our annual campaign and the number of new partners
who have joined us this year indicate that more people are
recognizing the increased needs we face and are stepping
up to give more.
Though more people are struggling in our community than
ever before, we are heading in the right direction when it
comes to raising the funds to help people survive the current
economic situation and thrive in the future.
I am thankful for every member of our family who gives,
advocates and volunteers through United Way. And I know
that during this holiday season and into the new year you
will continue to help us provide the basic needs that allow
people to weather the current economic storm and prosper
in the future.
Sincerely,
Janet E. Jackson
President and CEO
United Way of Central Ohio
Happy
Holidays
from United Way of Central Ohio
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LIVING UNITED
United Way Mobilizes Our Community to Support Education
United Way of Central Ohio volunteers and staff have been busy strengthening our work in education by mobilizing community
members around this crucial area. Here are some of our key activities:
Listening and Learning Through
Community Conversations
One of our first steps has been to begin bringing diverse groups of people
together to have community conversations. These conversations give people
the opportunity to voice their opinions on the state of education in our
community, and offer their ideas on creative ways we can work together to
improve it. More than 200 people have participated in these small-group
conversations hosted by United Way member agencies and volunteers. In
2011, we plan to begin holding conversations with many of our corporate
partners.
The feedback from the conversations that have taken place so far has
been very valuable. Participants have clear ideas about what can be done
to improve education and help young people graduate from high school.
Specifically, participants have said our community needs to focus on early
education; strengthen teaching and teachers; involve and engage parents;
connect the schools and the community; consider each child’s individual
needs; and help students see a positive future and build their aspirations.
Overall, participants see education as a significant community issue, and
they care deeply about the state of our community, our schools, and our young
people. What we’ve heard from the community affirms and reinforces the
strategies we previously identified as the focus of our work.
We’re sharing the results of conversations in our meetings with school district
leaders and with other community partners. The knowledge gleaned from
the conversations will help us as we build stronger outreach and advocacy
efforts.
If you are interested in hosting a community conversation, contact Janet
Ravneberg at [email protected], or 614.227.2731.
Reaching Out to School District Leaders
United Way volunteers and staff are meeting with school superintendents
and senior staff members from each of the 16 districts in Franklin
County to discuss ways we can work together to build educational
strength and commitment in our community. In the meetings, we talk
about how our efforts align and explore new ways United Way can help
meet the needs of students and schools. School district leaders are
pivotal to educational success in our community and we will continue
working closely with them.
Hundreds Raise Their Hands for
Education
RAISE YOUR HAND FOR EDUCATION
In September, United Way asked supporters to “Raise Your Hand for
Education.” So far, more than 200 people have raised their hands,
either at local events or through our website, and the number is
growing daily. Understanding who is interested in improving education
in central Ohio is an important first step in mobilizing our community
to improve education for all students in Franklin County. There is no
financial commitment involved. So, if you haven’t raised your hand
yet, visit liveunitedcentralohio.org and add your name to the list of
education champions. Once you have signed up, United Way will
keep you up to date on all of our latest education efforts and share
opportunities to help.
United Way Launches
“Volunteer Wednesday”
A few of the more than 200 volunteers who have participated in United Way’s
community conversations on education.
LIVEUNITEDCENTRALOHIO.ORG
Volunteering has always been an important way for people to Live
United, and now we are making it easier than ever before to volunteer for
education. On Wednesday, December 1, United Way launched Volunteer
Wednesday, a new way to learn about volunteer opportunities that help
ensure children in central Ohio enter kindergarten prepared for school,
and youth graduate from high school well-prepared for their future.
Every Wednesday we will highlight education volunteer opportunities
with United Way-funded programs at liveunitedcentralohio.org.
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Volunteer Profile:
JOHN E. BICKLEY NAMED 2011 CHAMPION OF CHILDREN
John E. Bickley, President and CEO of
YMCA of Central Ohio, has been named the
2011 Champion of Children. Bickley joins a
dedicated group of local leaders who have
been recognized as Champions of Children
and have made a deep, far-reaching impact
on the lives of children in central Ohio.
developmental screening, early identification and linkage to resources they
need to succeed in school. In addition, Bickley established partnerships
between YMCA Summer Camps and performing arts groups including
the Lincoln Theatre, the Jazz Arts Group, CATCO, and the Thiossane West
African Dance Institute. These partnerships provide more than 500 six- to
twelve-year-old children with opportunities to experience the arts, and
now serves as a model for YMCAs across the country.
“It is our honor to nominate John for
this recognition,” said Lisa Courtice,
of The Columbus Foundation and Linda
Day-Mackessy, of The YMCA who nominated
Bickley for the award. “John has devoted 37
years of his professional career to the mission and work of the YMCA to
build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.”
“John brings personal passion to his work on behalf of our community’s
children,” said Patricia Cash, Senior Vice President, PNC. “Within his own
organization, and in his work with United Way and with other United Way
agencies, John carries the message of caring for our children wherever he
goes.” “At a time when organizations have had to prioritize the services
they provide, John has steadfastly maintained the services for children as
a number one priority,” she added.
Under Bickley’s visionary leadership, the YMCA has forged important
community partnerships and expanded its facilities to enhance outreach
and services. In 1999, he initiated a first-of-its-kind capital campaign that
raised nearly $12 million for the renovation and expansion of the Eldon W.
Ward YMCA and the building of three new facilities in Grove City, Gahanna,
and Hilliard. More recently, he brought new opportunities to thousands
of low-income children in the City of Delaware by partnering with the
National Guard to build the new Delaware YMCA Community Center.
Bickley will be honored at a program to be held at 5:30 p.m. on February
8, 2011 in COSI’s Atrium. Prior to the award ceremony, at 4:30 p.m.,
there will be a one-hour televised panel dialogue with a studio audience,
moderated by former WOSU “Open Line” host Fred Andrle. This panel will
discuss the non-academic barriers that interfere with access to learning
and the challenges this presents to the health and success of our children
and our community.
Bickley was also instrumental in bringing the Early Childhood Resource
Network (ECRN) into the YMCA, providing thousands of children with
For more information on the February 8 culminating event, please
contact Staci Collier at [email protected] or
614.227.2766.
Corporate Partner News:
Chase Gift Raises Franklin County EITC Coalition
to the Next Level
Chase has been a key partner in the Franklin County EITC Coalition since
its launch over four years ago. Now, Chase is increasing its support of
the Coalition’s free tax preparation services for hardworking low- and
moderate-income households by helping fund an expansion project that
will allow the group to help more people.
The expansion project plans to:
• Increase by 15% the number of tax returns prepared, amount of
refunds claimed, and the amount of money saved by clients by not
using commercial preparers in the 2011 tax season.
• Increase the capacity and effectiveness of EITC sites across seven
central Ohio counties by creating a volunteer training program,
creating a shared database, and enhancing communications to reach
more people who are eligible for free tax preparation.
• Develop a pilot savings and asset building initiative in priority lowincome neighborhoods like Weinland Park designed to increase the
savings and assets of the people who utilize the tax assistance sites
and enhance their financial stability.
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“Chase is dedicated to helping more people achieve and maintain
financial stability,” said Jeff Lyttle, Midwest Region Executive for the
JPMorgan Chase Foundation. “We are proud to invest in the expansion of
the Franklin County EITC Coalition because we know it is an effective way
to help more people prosper. We are especially excited about the assetbuilding pilot program in Weinland Park and believe it will be a model for
future work.“
The Coalition is a volunteer-driven group that is looking for volunteers to
help prepare taxes or provide client orientations. No previous experience
is required. If you are interested, please contact Matt Kosanovich at
[email protected] or 614.241.3075.
eitc
earn it.
keep it.
save it.
Franklin County EITC Coalition
LIVING UNITED
United Way
Program Spotlight
on basic needs
United Way of Central Ohio has always been dedicated to helping people meet their
basic needs. This edition of Program Spotlight highlights the ways United Way
is helping with basic needs within the framework of the interconnected areas of
education, income, health and home.
The goal of the YWCA Family Center Safe & Sound program
is to increase developmental skills of at-risk youth by
providing high quality early education programs for children
experiencing homelessness, increasing their readiness for
kindergarten. Program activities include full-time licensed
child care for families experiencing homelessness who are
living at the Family Center. The program provides 230
children between six weeks and six years old with a safe
learning environment, and gives their parents the opportunity
to seek permanent housing and maintain employment or
pursue job opportunities.
LifeCare Alliance:
Meals-on-Wheels
The Meals-on-Wheels program provides meals for older,
disabled and chronically ill adults, in their homes, as well as
at senior community dining centers and restaurants in over
twenty locations across central Ohio. The home-delivered
meals provide nourishing food to homebound adults 365 days
a year. This “daily check” by caring volunteers gives peace
of mind to both recipients and their loved ones. Convenient
weekly delivery of frozen meals is also available for those who
may have frequent medical appointments and treatments.
Dining centers offer socialization, enriching programming
and a nutritious meal. The program also provides clients with
health and nutrition education and referral sources.
LIVEUNITEDCENTRALOHIO.ORG
INCOME
YWCA Columbus:
YWCA Family Center Safe & Sound
Childcare
HOME
HEALTH
EDUCATION
ywca columbus
Community Shelter Board:
Shelter Network
The Shelter Network helps ensure single adults and families
with children receive food, shelter and services to resolve a
housing crisis and build more stable lives. Comprised of 417
beds for men, 97 for women and up to 120 family units, the
Shelter Network provides space to sleep, and basic services
such as showers, meals, and housing referrals. Linkages to
The Ohio Benefit Bank and other community resources help
clients improve financial stability and prevent future crises.
The Shelter Network also connects adults with employment
services. Community Shelter Board oversees the Shelter
Network, which includes many United Way member agencies
such as Lutheran Social Services, Faith Mission, the YWCA,
and Maryhaven.
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission:
Columbus Housing Partnership /
MORPC Collaborative Housing Program
Through this program, Columbus Housing Partnership is
redeveloping 40 homes in the United Way priority neighborhoods
of Weinland Park and the Near South Side which have a high
rate of vacant and abandoned properties. Additionally,
MORPC will provide 17 neighborhood homeowners with home
repair assistance and training that will help them keep their
homes safe and healthy places to live. To receive assistance,
families will take a home repair class and be offered credit
and budgeting counseling to aid in foreclosure prevention. The
goal of the program is to increase the number of homes that
are safe and secure and strengthen these neighborhoods.
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LEADERSHIP
GIVING
United Way of Central Ohio’s Leadership Giving groups offer the opportunity for
donors to learn more about how their contributions are helping improve lives in
central Ohio, develop meaningful service projects and network with fellow donors.
Tocqueville Society Members View Waiting for “Superman,”
Hear Local Education Leaders
On October 27, Tocqueville Society members took advantage of a
unique opportunity to attend a private screening of Waiting for
“Superman,” the new documentary about education in America, and
hear local education leaders discuss the movie and offer insights on
our local schools.
Jim Mahoney, Executive
Director, Battelle for Kids
Foundation,
moderated
the panel of leaders which
included: Dr. Gene Harris,
Superintendent of Columbus
City Schools; Greg Brown,
Executive Dean, Academics
& Administration of The Graham School, and CEO, Academics, of
The Charles School; Rhonda Johnson, President, Columbus Education
Association; Tanny Crane, President & CEO, Crane Group, and Mark
Real, President and CEO of KidsOhio.org.
Attendees heard a balanced discussion that highlighted both good
news and areas that need improvement. For example, 5,900 Columbusarea students dropped out of the Class of 2009. However, Columbus
City Schools’ graduation rate has risen from 55.5% in the 2001-02
school year to 72.7% in the 2008-2009 school year.
This event was the first of series of events Tocqueville Society is
planning that will allow members to learn more about issues that
impact United Way’s work in education, income, health and home
straight from local leaders and experts.
For more information about the Tocqueville Society, please contact
Denise Rehg at 614.227.2764 or [email protected], or go
to liveunitedcentralohio.org/tocqueville.
The WLC Earns Great Media Coverage for Its New E3 Initiative
The Women’s Leadership Council’s E3 Initiative has been making a
splash in the media lately. On November 11, NBC4 featured a story on
E3 introduced by WLC member Colleen Marshall encouraging qualified
candidates to apply for the initiative. E3 was also featured on 10TV’s
Female Focus segment presented by Andrea Cambern, where WLC
Founding Member and United Way Board member Kathleen Murphy
was interviewed. The E3 initiative will help low-to moderate-income
working women in central Ohio become educated, empowered and
elevated to a new level of financial stability for themselves and their
families.
Both segments are available for viewing online. For the NBC4 story, go
to: http://bit.ly/gwFKSv. The 10TV Female Focus story can be found at:
http://bit.ly/fKpUSF.
YLG and Key Club Set Dates for Upcoming Events
• The Annual YLG Recognition Event hosted by Abigail and Lex Wexner
at their home will be held on February 9, 2011. The featured speaker
will be Dan Pallotta, a leading expert on innovation in the nonprofit
sector and the bestselling author of the book Uncharitable: How
Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential.
• YLG members can enjoy a BalletMet performance of Cinderella in
February, 2011, and an exclusive opportunity to meet the dancers
after the performance.
• A YLG Educational Roundtable with Steve Steinour, President and
CEO, The Huntington National Bank, will be held on Thursday,
February 10, 2011 from11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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• Mark your calendars -- the next YLG Educational Roundtable with
Bob James, President and CEO, Grange Insurance, will take place on
Wednesday, April 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Key Club will host a brown bag luncheon for its members and their
guests on January 18, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carter Stewart,
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio will be the featured
speaker. The luncheon is sponsored by Schottenstein Zox and Dunn.
To learn more about Key Club or YLG, please contact Tasha Booker at
[email protected] or 614.241.3082.
LIVING UNITED
United Way News
Project Diversity and Pride Leadership
Celebrate Newest Program Graduates
In October, United Way of Central Ohio celebrated the graduation of Cycle 19
of Project Diversity and Cycle 3 of Pride Leadership. These leadership training
programs are designed to increase volunteer opportunities for people of color
and people in the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) community.
The Project Diversity graduation ceremony featured a keynote address by Bob
James, President and CEO of Grange Insurance, which is a longtime supporter
of the program. Mary Jo Hudson, Director, Ohio Department of Insurance,
and former United Way of Central Ohio board member, delivered the keynote
address at the Pride Leadership graduation ceremony. Both speakers thanked
the graduates for their hard work throughout the program and urged them to
put their training to use serving our community.
Project Diversity, Cycle 19 Graduates
Front Row (l-to-r): Erika M. Pryor, Linh Ta, Brandi Young-Sharp, Laquore
Meadows, Cortney J. Porter, Marie Davis, Stacee Roy, Robert Lee, Pam
Richardson, Bindu Rammohan. Back Row (l-to-r): Priscilla Hammonds,
Shanelle Hinkle-Moore, Jason Williams, Redd RJG Branner, Clifford R.
Marsh, Gina C. Jackson, Dwayne Robinson, Craig A. Stone
Each program consists of an eight-month training curriculum designed
to prepare participants for effective service on a nonprofit board or other
community leadership position. There are eight, 2-hour workshop sessions
over the course of the training on topics such as: Organizational Planning,
Leading through Conflict, Fundraising and Resource Development, and
Fiscal Management and Parliamentary Procedures. Class size is usually 16
to 18 individuals per program, per year. Volunteers review each application
and select well-qualified candidates who demonstrate a strong interest in
participating in community service.
Applications for the 2011 classes of both programs are now being accepted.
People interested in learning more are invited to attend information receptions.
The Project Diversity reception will be held on January 18, 2011, at Shane’s
Gourmet, 447 E. Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The Pride
Leadership reception will also be held at Shane’s on January 20, 2011. Both
receptions are from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information contact Troy
Harris at 614.227.2736 or [email protected].
Champion of Children
Champion Partners Announced
American Electric Power
(AEP), Battelle, The Columbus
Foundation, Nationwide and PNC
will serve as 2011 Champion
Partners for Champion of
Children. These engaged local organizations are coming together to help
support the important work of Champion of Children as it continues to be the
community’s comprehensive voice for issues of early learning. Champion of
Children focuses on kindergarten readiness and school success for those most
economically at-risk, and how these issues impact our families, schools and
communities. Each Champion Partner recognizes the interconnectedness of
the entire educational journey and understands the importance of the quality
and success of each stage of the learning process.
Champion of Children’s culminating event will be held on February 8, 2011.
For more information, contact Staci Collier at [email protected]
or 614.227.2766.
LIVEUNITEDCENTRALOHIO.ORG
Pride Leadership, Cycle 3 Graduates
Front Row (l-to-r): Deittra J. Heritage, John R. Gregory, Sara Cogsil, Sarah
S. Thompson, Gary W. Aliff Jr., John Kerr, Sile Singleton. Back Row (l-to-r):
Angie Wellman, Mario Pinardi, Linda Flickinger, Donna M. McCray, Patrick
Gallaway, Sarah Wagner, Adam Yates, Andrew Bagnato, Tara McKenzie
Allison, Megan Albee, Kacia Kerns
Columbus Kids Surpasses First
Outreach Goal and Begins its
Next phase
In just 10 months, Columbus
Kids has provided Learning
Checkups to virtually 100%
of the two-and-a-half to fouryear-olds in the Weinland Park
and Central City neighborhoods,
exceeding its ambitious goal of
80%. Thirty-one percent of the preschoolers were given referrals
for intervention services. In November, Columbus Kids expanded
its grassroots effort to the Linden area. The program will
continue to add neighborhoods eventually reaching all of the
estimated 12,000 preschoolers in the Columbus City School
district.
7
360 South Third Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-5485
Help People Meet Basic Needs
with the New United Way
Giving Certificate
details inside
LIVING UNITED
In this Issue:
Just in time for the Holidays — The New UWCO Giving Certificate
Learn more about how United Way is Mobilizing to Support Education
John Bickley is Named 2011 Champion of Children
Chase Gift Raises EITC Coalition to the Next Level