Community Involvement
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Community Involvement |
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| Community Impact and Engagement | MANAGE | Day of Caring and Volunteer Support | Speakers Bureau | Keeping Kids Warm Coat Drive |
United Way of
Broome County, is part of an international network of about 1,300 United Ways, but each one is
independent and local community centered in both operation and control. Originally organized to
coordinate fund-raising activities
among charities in a single community, United Way's role has
expanded over the years. It is now a leader in helping to create partnerships
among community organizations and seeking ways to improve the lives of the people living
in Broome County in three
basic building blocks for a good quality of life:
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Here are some of the partnerships which include United Way of Broome County as an active member:
Needs of Seniors
United Way is involved with the Aging
Futures Partnership, which helps to identify the needs of local seniors
and develop community solutions
to address them. A coalition of local organizations under the
leadership of the Broome County Office for the Aging, the partnership has
identified seven needs of the local aging population through surveys, focus
groups, one-on-one interviews, and other methods. These are: managing chronic
disease, housing, understanding and accessing services, transportation,
caregiver support, legal and financial planning, and remaining socially
connected. The partnership was awarded a four-year, $750,000 grant from the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help fund strategies to address the top three
issues determined by the partnership (supporting caregivers, managing chronic
illnesses, and reducing social isolation)
Born Learning
United Way of Broome County, along with other local
organizations, is a participant in the Born
Learning campaign. This is a national effort designed to help parents,
families, caregivers, and communities create quality early learning
opportunities for young children. Through national public service advertising,
parent materials, and community mobilization activities, it provides action
steps that are fun, simple, and that can be done in everyday moments to help
prepare young children for school.
Free Income Tax Preparation
As part of a Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant awarded to United Way of
Assistance for Youngsters, 0 to 17
In 2004, United Way began a partnership with BOCES,
the Greater Binghamton Coalition, Broome Community College and Broome
County Government in a project to help young people from birth to
adolescence. One program, called Building
Brighter Futures for Broome Early Childhood Coalition, aids
children from birth to six years to give them a "healthy start" in
life in order to prevent long-term health, social, and learning problems and to
prepare them for success in school. The coalition promotes efforts to support
healthy births, effective parents, and quality early childhood education. To
aid those ages 6 to 17, a second program, the Youth
Developmental Assets Initiative, coordinates and focuses youth organizations
on helping youth to develop self confidence, healthy relationships, and make
positive life choices. United Way also partners with several organizations and
individuals on the Teens Link Coalition, which coordinates and provides
resources for efforts aimed at teen pregnancy prevention.
Community Preparation for Emergencies
United Way has also helped develop a Citizens Corps Council with
multiple community partners, including member agencies RSVP
(the lead organization) and the American
Red Cross. The council is designed to help the community prepare for
emergencies. In addition, United Way services on the local Federal Emergency
Management Aid (FEMA) board, which helps allocate resources to the community
in times of emergencies.
Coordination of Services to People
United Way worked with other community organizations to develop tutoring
and self-improvement programs for Binghamton University’s Center City
Coordination Project. The project is coordinating human service programs
operating throughout downtown Binghamton, N.Y., in order to more
effectively help those in need. More than 30 human service agencies are involved
in this project that aids at least 6,000 Binghamton residents.
Assistance in Securing Employment
United Way has helped over 200 local young people gain valuable skills
and find jobs through its work with the Broome County Office of Employment
and Training. United Way worked with the Broome-Tioga Workforce
Development Board to secure over $500,000 in federal grant funding for the
program and to provide consultation on program management and resource
development. United Way also is involved in monitoring and evaluating youth
workforce for Broome County, which help young people gain skills and jobs. The
United Way is currently evaluating a federally funded program to assist people
with disabilities in locating and participating in employment services through
the workforce systems of Broome, Tioga, Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego counties.
Over 500 persons with disabilities have received services through this grant.
Since 1999, United Way has been a partner in the yearly Keeping Kids Warm Coat Drive for children. Each year, about 2,000 coats are collected, cleaned, and distributed through local human service agencies, schools, and churches to those in need. Donated coats may be dropped off at the locations listed below between October 3 and November 19, 2011.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS
| Gary's U-Pull-It |
203 Colesville |
Binghamton |
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Lupo's S&S
Charpit |
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Miller Auto Team |
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Vestal |
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People's National
Bank |
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Conklin |
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People's National
Bank |
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People's National
Bank |
108 Second Street
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Deposit |
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Tioga State Bank |
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Vestal |
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Tioga State Bank |
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Tioga State Bank |
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Endwell |
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Tioga State Bank |
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Binghamton |
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Wendy's |
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Endicott |
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Wendy's |
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Wendy's |
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Vestal |
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Wendy's |
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Wendy's |
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Owego |
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PARTICIPATING
DRYCLEANERS |
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Bates Troy
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Resciniti Dry
Cleaners |
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United Way’s
Management Assistance for Non-profit Agencies through General Education (MANAGE)
program offers affordable workshops and services to enhance management skills
for community non-profit agencies.
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The Day of Caring
program, coordinated by United Way of Broome County, provides an opportunity for employee groups to participate in one-day
volunteer projects at local non-profit agencies. Each year United Way develops a
list
of projects needed by agencies in the Broome County community. Beginning
in 2002, the Day of Caring has been held on or near the anniversary of the September 11,
2001, terrorist attacks on America.
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United Way of Broome County,
with the assistance of its partner agencies, provides speakers on a wide variety of topics for both
businesses and non-profit organizations. Speakers are
available, free of charge, to talk to clubs, organizations, or employee groups throughout the
year, but mostly during the yearly United Way fund drive. They are also available as resource persons for committees
attempting to find solutions to problems in our community.
These experts will
share information on everything from alcoholism and highway safety to adult
literacy in the community and workplace. Topics can be tailored to fit the needs
and interests of just about any group.
To schedule a
speaker or resource person, call the United Way Speakers Bureau
at (607) 240-2012, preferably well in advance of the meeting date.
Over
the years, United Way
of Broome County has been active within the community in a variety of other activities, including hosting blood
drives,
organizing a bone marrow donor program, sponsoring a holiday gift-giving program
for children, and participating in programs sponsored
by other organizations.
Updated: Oct. 27, 2011