Rod introduced today's speakers from the Lenawee United Way (LUW) - Christine MacNaughton, Community Impact Manager and Ashley LaVigne. Christine kicked things off by saying that the LUW decided to move in a different direction several years ago in an effort to "address larger systemic issues in our community" to determine their root causes. The organization also set out to measure the impact they were having across Lenawee County.

 

The LUW's staff and community partners, she said, all agreed that they need strong education, financial stability, and good health as building blocks in people's lives. The LUW currently provides leadership to 22 organizations and task forces in the county. The LUW, Christine said, needs to join with others who are doing similar work and will continue to collect data and document the impact. One issue in particular that they are focusing on is the county's obesity rate. The Lenawee Health Assessment conducted in 2011 revealed that 72% of adults and 13% of children in Lenawee County are considered obese. The LUW considers itself to be a primary leader coordinating the collaboration of various organizations and the Lenawee Health Network  in promoting the Eat healthy campaign and also organizing walking clubs throughout the county. They are also working toward increasing the number of people who have health care.

 

In terms of education Christine said that the Lenawee United Way is supporting all programs that prepare children for kindergarten and who are ready to learn as well as programs that encourage them to stay in school as well as programs that involve parents. Kids who stay in school are more apt to become more successful adults financially as they move forward in their lives. The LUW is also very involved in the Cradle to Career partnership, she said.

 

Relative to financial stability, data has shown that most people spend less than 30% of their income on housing. The LUW is therefore funding programs that allow families to have affordable housing.

 

One of the largest unmet needs in this community is utility assistance. Ashley LaVigne went into a bit more detail about this by saying that the LUW's 211 Program is a free, confidential, information referral service that connects residents of Lenawee County with the specific health and human services that they need. Since its inception back in 2009, Ashley said, some 19,000 calls have been made for assistance! Data from those calls was what prompted the LUW to continue the Walk for Warmth event.

 

Another program is Family Line - a pre-prescription discount card program that to date 4,900 families in the county are participating in. Since its inception in 2006, savings for these folks total close to $500,000!

 

The Emerging Leaders program Ashley said, is an 8-month leadership development program where participants meet once a week for a full day beginning in September through April. Thus far 77 young professionals have gone through the program many of whom now sit on non-profit boards and are involved in their communities. Some 56%of past participants have either changed jobs or been promoted while 65% now sit on non-profit boards/advisory councils or have run for public office!

 

Ashley mentioned the A.L.I.C.E Program (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employee) - a United Way Michigan program which partners with Rutgers University. She said she would like to return in the fall and present findings from data they will be collecting as a result of the program.

 

Christine closed by announcing the LUW's Day of Action event that will take place on September 19th. Last year there were 47 separate projects involving over 500 volunteers! This year the event will start with a breakfast and brief program which will also serve as the LUW's fundraising kickoff. We were all encouraged to help out this year. Thanks, ladies, for a most informative presentation.