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United Way Newsletter - August 2023

Posted on Friday, 25 August 2023

What are we going to do to help?

When a community crisis emerges, we respond. Our question is never “why” but “what”. What are we going to do to help?

This question has been coming up lately as we continue to see crises arrive in our neighborhoods. We asked this question when the flooding happened in Ontario County and again when the asylum seekers arrived in Monroe County. And our answer is always the same: we mobilize our resources and relationships.

Because that is what we do.

United Way has a history of meeting basic needs, generating opportunities, and empowering communities. The expertise, resources, and relationships we have built over the decades have allowed us to be nimble, innovative mobilizers.

But we don’t do it alone. We do it because of your generosity. So if you can and wish, please consider making a gift or volunteering your time to support our emerging community needs. The needs are profound, but our capacity for good is endless.

With gratitude,

Jaime Saunders
President and CEO

Things to Know 

2022 Impact Report
Each year, we share the progress we've made serving our communities, thanks to your immense generosity and support. 2022 was a big year for us. Learn more about the impact you made. Explore our 2022 Impact Report.
United For ALICE
One in three of our neighbors is struggling to make ends meet. The latest ALICE data paints a clear picture of our local communities’ needs. Learn more about the challenges that come with being an ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) household.

Your Impact in Action

2023 Nonprofit Summit
As part of our work championing the nonprofit sector, we hosted our Nonprofit Summit at Finger Lakes Community College this past June. Over 200 nonprofit professionals spent the day learning, collaborating, and networking to advance their mission and support our local communities. Learn more about this year’s Nonprofit Summit.

Power Scholars Academy graduation
We were thrilled to join YMCA of Greater Rochester for their Power Scholars Academy graduation earlier this month. A funded United Way program, Power Scholars Academy is a free program that helps advance students’ academic achievement through a full-day summer experience. Learn more about the Power Scholars Academy.

Get Involved

Organize kit building for your team
Team building for the greater good. Bring kit building to your workplace for an engaging way to support our communities and build camaraderie on your team. Sign up for kit building.

Start a workplace campaign
Whether you are a small business, large corporation, or nonprofit, you can engage your employees and make a local impact with a workplace campaign. Stand with 800 workplace partners across our 6-county region supporting our local communities. Learn more about starting a workplace campaign.

Volunteer
Through our Volunteer United, we make it easy to connect to volunteer opportunities that align with your interests and schedule. Connect to your next volunteer opportunity.

Join an upcoming event
Let’s connect at an upcoming United Way event:
August 29: Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational
September 15: Circulo Latino Speed Networking
September 9: Genesee County Summer Serenade
September 13: Community & Connections
September 14: Community Based Organization: Planning and Education Series
September 15 – October 15: Multicultural Book Drive
September 28: Women’s Leadership Summit

And Let’s Not Forget…

• Applications to become a donor designated agency are now open. Applications are due by August 31.
The urgent case for prioritizing child care.
• The HELP Act is a lifeline for America’s communities.
We are hiring! Get a feel for our company culture by following us on social (Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram).
Rochester’s Anti-Poverty Initiative resets ambitious mission.
• Staff celebrations: Congratulations to our very own Chris Bechle, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships, for his Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Ignite Award nomination; Sparkle Wells, Program Officer, for being accepted into the Community Food Funder's Seeding Power: Leadership for a Regional Movement Fellowship; and Dr. Sheila Strong, Director of Leadership Development and Equity, for being named a finalist for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Colors of Success DEI Leadership Award.

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