Living United

Last week I attended a meeting of the George Warren Brown School of Social Work Dean’s Advisory Committee. Dr. Eddie Lawlor, GWB Dean, asked a number of not-for-profit leaders to discuss the current environment for health and human service organizations. It was a very interesting conversation.

The comments started off as you might expect. These are challenging times for health and human service organizations as we face the same difficulties as the general community. Like many for-profits, we are working with reduced budgets and funding sources, and many with reduced staffs, at a time when the demands for our services are higher. We talked about the stress this creates for the organizations, the staff, but most importantly, for the people who count on our services each day.

This is the reality for not-for-profits just as it is for the for-profit community. Despite the reality of these challenges, the conversation quickly turned positive. Comments about working in creative, innovative and collaborative ways to meet community needs begin to filter into the discussion. The need to reach out to the community in new ways via new technologies and to enable people to engage as helpers began a conversation about opportunities in the face of challenges.

It was noted that this is a caring and generous community and when help is needed, it is given – if you empower people to be a part of the solution.

The evening’s conversation reminded me that if the goal is organizational survival and all your thoughts dwell on that, the challenges and obstacles appear overwhelming. But if you focus on your mission and the importance of helping people in need, the opportunities to deliver on that mission begin to appear even in the middle of the challenges. It may require innovation, collaboration, new partnerships and even organizational change, but you can be successful in helping people.

This is true because this is a caring and generous community. The people of this community find ways to help people in need no matter the challenges. Let me know the creative ways you are helping our community even in the midst of the challenging environment.

My daughter, who is seven years old, has an amazing ability to influence me.

At the end of last year’s Girl Scout cookie drive, I promised that I would not be on the forefront selling cookies in 2010. Not only did I sell my share of cookies this year, but my daughter enlisted the support of our family network to help us hit the target.

There is a nuanced difference in "we hit the target" vs. "she hit the target." She influenced me to become more invested in the success of her troop’s Girl Scout cookie campaign. I can’t wait to hear the total cookie sales of our local Girl Scout Council.

Last year, United Way launched our Lend a Hand, Lend a Lead project because we understand the influence and power of your network. Please take a moment and check out the resumes of individuals who are in transition and if you can help by lending a lead, please do so. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the program, simply send Cynthia Ackins an electronic resume as an attachment with your first and last name.

Who has influenced you?

Happy 2-1-1 Day -- February 11! In celebration, here's the top 11 things you should know about 2-1-1:

1. It's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That's right -- you can call on holidays, at midnight, during a snowstorm. Someone will always be there to take your call.
2. You probably know someone who's called. More than 116,000 people called last year -- 30 percent more than in 2008.
3. You can get information about any health or human services need. 2-1-1 can provide referrals to agencies that can help meet basic needs, but it goes beyond that. Need to find childcare near your home? Need to find an independent living center for an aging parent? Need counseling for your teenager? Call 2-1-1.
4. 2-1-1 is starting a new partnership to help newly unemployed people. You can read more about it in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
5. You can search online. Don't want to call? No problem. Search the database on your own at www.211missouri.org or www.211southwestillinois.org.
6. 2-1-1 is completely free. You can't beat free!
7. 2-1-1 covers the state of Missouri, plus part of Illinois. It's available throughout the state of Missouri and to Illinois residents of St. Clair, Clinton, Randolph, Monroe, Madison, Jersey, Greene, Calhoun or Macoupin counties.
8. There's an 800 number, too. 2-1-1 is available as a three-digit dial (like 911) from most phones. If 2-1-1 is not yet available on your cell phone, you can call 800-427-4626 and reach the exact same call center.
9. The one-year anniversary of Southwest Illinois 2-1-1 is today!
10. When you call, you'll get a trained representative. They'll direct you to resources to help, and keep your information completely confidential. Plus, 2-1-1 is multilingual and has translation services available for callers.
11. YOUR gifts are helping make all this possible. Not only do your pledges support agencies, but also community services like 2-1-1. Thank you!

There’s a lot of talk in the news these days about childhood obesity. Some experts suggest that about 68,000 children in St. Louis are obese. United Way is a proud partner with Healthy Youth Partnership, which is designed to be a one-stop shop for healthy activities, tips, resources and current research on improving the health and wellness of youth and families in the bi-state region. 

Here are some quick and easy tips on getting active for the entire family. Of course, you should seek medical attention if you think your or your child might be overweight or before starting an exercise program.

1. Join your local YMCA.
Your local YMCA offers a ton of great programming for children and adults, including family fitness activities, afterschool care and youth development. If you join by February 28, you’ll pay now sign up fee. You really can’t beat 100% off, and the YMCA is a great way to get involved in the community! (Plus, YMCA is a United Way supported agency. You can check out all of the agencies we support on our Web site.)

2. Volunteer.
Volunteering is a fun way to get moving and help people at the same time. Trust me, painting the walls of an agency is hard work! United Way’s Volunteer Center has dozens of volunteer opportunities every month for individuals and families. Call (314) 539-4063 for more information.

3. Build a snowman.
Bundle up and head outside to build a snowman. It’s a lot of physical activity to roll that snow and the end result can be magical (or disastrous, depending on your snowman-making skills). Just be sure to take frequent breaks and stop if it becomes too much – it’s cold out there!

No snow? Why not do a snowman craft project? Get out some cotton balls, paint, crayons and pencils and make your own unique snowman.

4. Get in the kitchen.
Some of my fondest memories are baking cookies with my family. It gets you and the kids away from the TV and into the kitchen where you can make some delicious and healthy meals (and, by the way, cookies don’t have to be fattening).

Instead of popping a frozen meal into the microwave or going to a restaurant, take some time each week (or each month, or whenever you can) to chop some vegetables and build a meal from scratch. Cooking and baking can be a family affair with every child getting their own job duties, such as chopping for older kids and pouring in the chocolate chips for younger children. Not only will you make some yummy, healthy food, you’ll also get to spend some together.

5. Sign up the kids for an afterschool program.
Afterschool programs are a great way for children to move their bodies and their minds. United Way supports many agencies with afterschool programs. If you’re interested in learning more about an afterschool program in your area, call United Way’s 2-1-1 or 1-800- 427-4626.

What are you doing to stay active this winter?