Thanks to the giving spirit across the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, and the leadership of our campaign chairs Terri and Tim Burke, UWM raised more than $40 million for our community during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
fiscal year july 2022 - june 2023
United way of the midlands highlights
A trusted agent of change
From the first dollar donated in 1923 to more than 40,000 people now giving to UWM, corporate and individual support has been the driving force behind a century of progress – proving that together, we can achieve incredible impact. UWM is proud to serve as a trusted agent for change. Our collective approach means we provide funding to impactful programs, and also offer direct services where they are needed most.
Circle of Support
Working families often struggle to make ends meet and face a range of needs to get back on their feet.
United Way creates a robust safety net of services through strategic investments and impactful programs that address critical community needs. Together, we form a Circle of Support that ensures our community has resources in place to support the needs of today and have the resources to respond to unforeseen crises.
By mobilizing resources and partnerships, UWM bolsters
access to essential services – providing immediate relief and also access to greater economic opportunity. Our collaborative approach fosters community-wide solutions, breaking down silos and promoting long-term sustainability.
These initiatives ultimately foster a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has a chance to thrive.
Signals & Trends Report
As UWM strives to remove barriers and create opportunities through powerful partnerships – our discernment is more important than ever – and depends on a deep understanding of local needs, tuned into the pulse of our community.
Over the summer of 2022, we gathered and analyzed existing community research with data unique to UWM, including feedback from our investment partners and program participants.
The UWM Signals and Trends Report reflects our findings and highlights conditions experienced across our metro area – particularly among families struggling to make ends meet and the programs designed to serve them. The executive summary is available here, with the full report available later this year.
PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS
UWM also plays a pivotal role in addressing community needs by offering direct service programs and forging collaborative partnerships.
Through direct service programs, we create a tangible impact by running initiatives that directly assist individuals and families. UWM’s reach and effectiveness is further amplified through coalitions. Ultimately, these programs and partnerships, combined with our investment portfolio, represent a multifaceted response to the ever-evolving needs of the metro – fostering positive, sustainable change.
211 CONTACT CENTER
Last year, the 211 Contact Center had more than 313,000 contacts – connecting with people over the phone, through text and online. And thanks to our work with Children’s Nebraska, CyncHealth, Lyft, the Iowa Department of Public Health, Unite Us, Help Me Grow and Nebraska and Iowa United Ways – families get the help they need faster. With more than 4,000 organizations in our resource database and the support of key donors, 211 continues to grow.
The 211 Contact Center is now an official Aging Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for the entire state of Nebraska!
UWM’s 211 Contact Center is also now taking calls as an Aging and Disability Resource Center, and is working to further support Nebraska’s aging population through a Victim of Crimes Act partnership. This is especially important as we know the 65 and older population is projected to increase 51% between 2020 and 2045. With older adults now replacing children as the age group with highest poverty, this partnership means more seniors can access critical supports.
211 expands to iowa!
Additionally, we expanded 211 coverage in terms of both geography and duration – moving from supporting Southwest Iowa over nights and weekends, to 24/7 coverage across nearly the entire state of Iowa. In July, we welcomed new team members from Iowa and ensured a seamless transition to avoid interruption in service.
Housing & Utility assistance
More than half of 211 callers request support with housing and utilities. With the support of MAACH, MUD, OPPD, Goodfellows donors and our fabulous partner the Omaha World-Herald, we provided more than $13.6 million in rental, mortgage and utility assistance to help eligible Nebraskans stay in their homes.
Mental Health
Mental Health continues to be a pressing community issue – with more severe cases being reported across age groups. In the past year more than 1,000 people have received Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training through collaborative efforts with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare and the ongoing support of Women United. This training gives individuals the tools and resources they need to help someone struggling with mental health challenges, while helping to reduce the stigma of and barriers to seeking help. In 2024, we hope to expand the training to reach 1,500 people across the metro.
JAG Nebraska
A JAG Career Specialist in each school provides student-centered programs to help young people achieve their fullest potential. Students receive individual attention and support through a program that equips them for success through hands-on instruction and realistic learning experiences – where they master up to 87 core competencies identified by business and industry as essential to beginning successful careers.
In the last year, JAG served 854 students, achieved a 99% graduation rate and exceeded all five national JAG standards.
Thanks to the support of Commissioner of Labor John Albin and Governor Jim Pillen, JAG Nebraska has grown from three schools in 2019 to 34 middle and high schools across the state currently. With their ongoing support – we plan to grow JAG Nebraska by an additional 38 programs for the school year beginning in August 2024.
Shine Bright
Shine Bright began in response to critical needs identified in Omaha Public Schools. Some students in struggling households may bathe without soap, or can’t afford to wash their clothes regularly. As part of our GOOD on the Go program, UWM partners with local school districts and raises funds for the purchase and assembly of Shine Bright kits for kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students. Each Shine Bright kit contains the full-size, essential hygiene items kids need to feel confident so they can succeed in the classroom and in life.
Our volunteer network and the business community continues to step up in a big way to support students.
With the help of Google, the Mid-America Center, Baker’s Supermarkets, City Ventures, Election Systems & Software, Lincoln Financial Group, Penske, Wellabe and Werner Enterprises – along with hundreds of volunteers – we distributed nearly 5,000 hygiene kits to students in the Omaha and Council Bluffs Schools, JAG Nebraska programs and Papillion-La Vista school district.
CRCSP
Even as we grow in exciting new directions, our existing program partnerships continue to flourish.
This year, our Court Referral Community Service Program (CRCSP) served more justice-involved adults than we have since 2016 – thanks to expanding partnerships into the courtroom to remove barriers. For more than 20 years, we have partnered with Douglas County to facilitate community service for individuals ordered by the courts to complete service hours. This represents more than 2,500 service hours for our community and a cost savings of approximately $450,000 annually for taxpayers.
Embedded in our Community
This map shows the nonprofits receiving UWM funding, as well as JAG Nebraska sites, schools receiving Shine Bright kits, our partners in court referral and more.
Here you can see how your impact extends across the entire community and creates access to resources, forging a brighter, more resilient future.
OUR MISSION
Even as we grow in exciting new directions, our existing program partnerships continue to flourish.