WOMEN UNITED: COMMUNITY COMPASS
Women United is a global, growing force dedicated to creating lasting change and uplifting the community.
Welcome to the latest edition of Women United Community Compass! This newsletter is published twice a year to promote the great work Women United is doing, and share meaningful updates to celebrate your collective impact in the community!
Mental Health First Aid Initiative Update
Women United has prioritized mental health to help address the increased demand for services and access challenges across the metro. Mental health impacts every one of us, our families and our community.
In partnership with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, the initiative is increasing access to and awareness of Mental Health First Aid training by funding an awareness campaign and providing an additional Coordinator and trainers at Region 6. In partnership with OBI Creative, the awareness campaign seeks to increase the community’s knowledge of the MHFA training and remove the stigma of coming forward with a mental health need.
We are beyond grateful to see the incredible participation supporting this critical work. The first two years of the initiative have been a great success, overperforming on fundraising and training goals.
The Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory (TWIA) Council set a goal to raise $600,000 in the next three years, with a yearly goal of $200,000. We are honored by our community’s caring spirit to support this vital work and help us raise more than $546,826.00 in the first two years!
Prior to Women United championing the initiative, on average Region 6 held 40 trainings a year with 514 yearly participants.
In the first year of the Women United initiative, 81 trainings were held with a total of 1,073 participants. In the second fiscal year, 95 trainings were held with a total of 1,152 participants. The collective impact of Women United has increased Region 6’s capacity by more than 100%!
We are not stopping yet! Help us reach our goal by donating today!
Trainings from july 2022-June 2023
Trainings from july 2023-June 2024
Register for a MHFA Training class
To register for an upcoming Mental Health First Aid training, click a link below:
Women United Updates
Steering Committee Spotlight
Women United celebrates the power of women to bring about positive change in our community through philanthropy and service. Led by passionate leaders across the metro, the Women United Steering Committee champions this vital work to serve and strengthen the community. Thank you to our current Steering Committee members:
Pam Beall-Hill
Chair of Women United
Council Bluffs School Foundation
Sue Seline
Chair of the Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory Council
Ia Hagan
Baird Private Wealth Management
Mary Ann O’Brien
OBI Creative
Angela Rock
FNBO
Stephanie Tiritilli
Senior Market Sales
Leslie Volk
Security National Bank
Join the steering committee
Events
February Lunch and Learn Recap
Women United held the Mary C. Lopez Lunch & Learn on February 20. We were honored to feature an incredible panel of experts across a variety of fields to share their unique insights and perspectives on local programs to empower and uplift women. The panel discussion was moderated by Candias “Candi” Jones, Executive Director of Girls, Inc. The panel featured Jannette Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Center for Advancement; Sarah Waldman, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska and Bridgett Belsky, Founder and Executive Director of Room for Roots, Inc.
Save the Date: Mary C. Lopez Community Forum Event
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, Women United is holding a special documentary screening on Monday, September 30, at Film Streams in Dundee. The screening will feature the first episode of The Mind Inside followed by a panel discussion. Filmed in 2019 in collaboration with Nebraska Public Schools, the film follows students and counselors, showing real conversations that address mental health challenges within schools. The event will take a close look at trends pracademic compared to current data and needs. The film and panel discussion will highlight how needs are identified among students, the lengths schools go to provide support, as well as the collaboration with local nonprofits, like United Way of the Midlands, to help schools fill the gap for students to get the resources they need.
Tocqueville Women Initiative Updates
Giving from the Heart Recap
We were honored to host the Suzanne Scott “Giving from the Heart” Award luncheon at Omaha Country Club on Friday, May 17, in recognition of Karen Hawkins. Karen served as Chair of the Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory Council for nine years and was a founding member of Women United (formally the Women’s Leadership Council). Her dedication and service has left a profound and lasting mark on United Way of the Midlands and countless organizations across our community.
Learn more about Karen’s incredible service to the community, and the past recipients of the Giving from the Heart Award here: Giving From the Heart – United Way of the Midlands (unitedwaymidlands.org)
Save the date — Tocqueville Women's Initiative Community Tour
We are thrilled to hold a special event for Tocqueville Women on Thursday, November 14, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. TWI members will tour the cutting-edge, state of the art iXCEL Davis Global Center, followed by a reception. The iEXCEL program improves human performance and effectiveness in health care through the adoption of high-fidelity simulation, interprofessional collaboration and experiential learning technologies.
LEARN MORE
Please visit here to learn more about Women United, and don’t forget to connect with us on social media!
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Women United’s Community Compass! Look out for the next publication in August 2024! If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about the information shared and how to get involved, please contact Maureen Irish at womenunited@uwmidlands.org.