Sep/111
Thank you, Day of Caring volunteers!
This year, on August 26 and 27, United Way of Central Indiana held its 20th Day of Caring event. On those two days, 1,875 people came together to make a difference for Central Indiana nonprofit organizations, schools, and childcare centers. Companies, families, and individuals worked on projects such as mulching playgrounds, planting flowers for the Boys and Girls Club, helping seniors with outdoor yard projects and inside cleaning, serving lunch and interacting with seniors at an adult day program, organizing donations for homeless veterans, sorting donations for an organization that works with those escaping abusive homes, and doing interaction activities with children in childcare centers and with adults with developmental disabilities. United Way staff worked alongside volunteers at most of the projects and heard how much people enjoyed volunteering for the Day of Caring. The volunteers reported feeling welcome at the organization/school/childcare center where they were working. They also reported that they could see the impact their project was making for the clients/students of the place at which they were working.
This year, we emphasized our priority areas of vital human services and education through our project offerings. As part of that, we offered companies the chance to work on transformational projects (more intensive projects than are typically offered through Day of Caring). I am happy to say that some companies rose to the challenge of doing these projects.
First, Community Health Network did an awesome job with embracing the transformational project concept. They sponsored the Day of Caring event this year, so I want to extend thanks to them for doing that! But then, they went over and beyond for their Day of Caring project. They worked at IPS #14 and gave the school a makeover. They were able to do this by leveraging their partnerships with vendors they work with through their business interactions. This leveraging resulted in revamped grounds (new flowers, weeding of overgrown plants, and renovation of a pond area at the school so now it’s accessible and usable), a shade area built for a playground, the donation room remodeled and stocked, new equipment for the school, a remodeled parent center, and more! Community Health Network provided over 200 volunteers and over $35,000 in in-kind volunteer work and materials. This was a great project to visit and great to see the difference of before and after!
Other companies stepped up to the plate to embrace the transformational project.
- IPS #106 had volunteers from IPL working on numerous projects for two days at the school. On the hot Friday and Saturday of Day of Caring, they created a new outdoor reading space with lots of benches for large and small group student interactions. I have since spoken to school and was told that the staff and students love the area and have already started to utilize it for their lessons! The playground was mulched, equipment repainted, and basketball hoops installed to allow for overflow parking on the playground. Lots of new plants were installed in the front and side landscaping beds around the school. The teachers’ lounge was painted and refurnished to create a relaxing space for staff, and an interior room was modified for use by students.
- IPS #69 had volunteers from St. Vincent Health working two days on projects inside and outside the school. Volunteers cleared out a learning garden space and built 8 raised beds filled with soil ready for planting. They spread fresh mulch in the garden space and on the playground. Inside the school they painted and refurnished the teacher’s lounge and bathroom, and painted the parent center. I am still amazed at what the volunteers from St. Vincent Health and staff of the school did with the cabinets of the teacher’s lounge. They looked completely new and modern, and all it took was some painting and sanding!
- IPS #46 received major improvements to their playground by volunteers from UPS. The playground equipment was painted and fixed to make it functional and safe. The area was also spread with fresh mulch. The kickball area was repainted and a half-court basketball setup, including new hoops, was installed. Old equipment was removed from the area and the playground benches were rebuilt and painted.
- IPS #49 had the landscaping refreshed by volunteers from Target Distribution Center with new mulch across the front of the school and all new plants in the front flower boxes and planter areas.
- IPS #56 received support from Emmis Communications volunteers in painting and improving the parent center room and a large classroom that will be used as an IUPUI satellite site for adult community education. In addition, Dow AgroSciences volunteers cleaned up an outdoor learning and greenhouse area and spread new mulch throughout the area and along the front entrance of the school. Since Day of Caring, the students have started using the garden area, and the staff love the work that was done inside!
- Harris Elementary and Greenfield Intermediate Schools received new landscaping courtesy of Covance volunteers. The volunteers landscaped between the two schools by taking up an area of sod to create landscape beds, planting perennials, and mulching the flower beds.
2 nonprofit agencies got help in a big way from volunteers:
- Girls Scouts of Central Indiana had 150 volunteers from Gene B. Glick working at Camp Dellwood for a day of painting, amphitheatre and trail bridge repair, fire pit repair, tent rope repair, interior cleaning, trail maintenance, and building latrines. The Glick Company provided trucks and heavy equipment in addition to the volunteer labor and lunch was provided by the Girl Scouts.
- Lutheran Child and Family Services had 150 volunteers from Roche work at their facility painting inside and outside, doing general yard clean up, cleaning and painting an independent living home, and washing and cleaning agency vehicles.
As you can see by the numbers and the projects that are being spotlighted in this post, Day of Caring this year was a success! Check out pictures from the two days here. I look forward to working with companies in 2012 who want to make a difference through volunteering in our Central Indiana region.
--Tiffany Dow, manager, volunteer coordination and placement, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
Angie: Giving back to the neighborhood where she grew up
Angie Baker grew up "right down the street" from Little Dove Day Care. So when the company she works for, Redcats USA, began a partnership with United Way allowing associates to read to preschoolers there, she leapt at the chance to give back in her neighborhood.
Seeing those "little faces light up" when she opens a book to start reading is a feeling Angie loves, admitting that she's "not sure who benefits more."
Because working parents are coping with time challenges that make it tough to fit reading into their lives, Angie is happy to help. Often, they are dealing with "big worries" too, Angie says.
She also helps recruit co-workers to volunteer and has taken on the task of scheduling the twice-a-month readings, as well as pitching in to help with special parties, crafts, and playground projects.
Angie telling the camera why she volunteers
You can hear what the experience means to Angie, in her own words, by watching the video that WFYI producer Jim Simmons created. It was part of the September 6 television Simulcast, where all local stations used breaks in their regular programs to tell stories of why and how United Way education volunteers are making a difference. If you missed the Simulcast, check out all of the stories here.
Though it didn't show up in the final production, when WFYI videographer Chris Elberfeld spoke Spanish to the children, he made a few faces light up too!
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
Indianapolis Colts rally for United Way (and was that the Village People??)
What a day! The rain stayed away while the Colts inspired the crowd, community-leading companies were celebrated, more than 40 agencies shared info about their services, Dave and Rae entertained, Applebees lunches were enjoyed and the Brightpoint LIVE UNITED crew performed a live version of their Give Gleefully video competition entry. [See photos here]
And if that wasn't enough, 2011 Campaign Chair Marianne Glick announced the 2011 fundraising goal: $39.2 million. And we're off to a great start, with 28% of that goal achieved as of September 19. Big thanks to the Colts for offering up some fantastic donor incentives again this year!
2011 Campaign Chair Marianne Glick (2nd from left) and President and CEO Ellen K. Annala (2nd from right) with the Brightpoint LIVE UNITED crew. If you haven't seen the Brightpoint crew's video competition entry, click this photo to watch!
If you haven't yet heard about the Give Gleefully video competition, take a few minutes to watch the videos and vote for your favorite. Have an idea for a winning video? Enter today for your chance at some really great prizes!
Thanks to all who were involved in making this a great day!
--Jessica Rodgers, e-communications specialist, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
The Craigs on tutoring: ‘You can’t imagine how good it makes you feel!’
"I hated school. I was not a good reader."
Thinking back on his own struggles in school, Steve Craig and his wife of 40 years, Joyce, realized that they might be able to help turn that attitude around for some children less than one mile from their home.
Steve learned about United Way's ReadUP tutoring program through his writer's group. When he and Joyce signed up to tutor every day the program was offered, ReadUP administrators thought it was a mistake. The Craigs' pledge was three times the typical volunteer commitment.
Steve Craig and Laci Wagoner
When they called the Craigs to check it out, they met a couple who understand the connection between reading well and success in life, and are determined to do what they can to help more kids build a stronger foundation.
But beyond helping boost reading fluency and comprehension, Steve and Joyce also see the payoff of extra adult attention for some students.
Joyce Craig and Avery Wagoner
"We had the time. You can see the progress..." said Steve. "You can't imagine how good it makes you feel. The effort you put out pays off huge dividends in the life of a student."
You can see the Craigs' passion for yourself in a story produced by WRTV 6's Ken Scheidler and photographed by Blake Brennaman, and meet Laci and Avery Wagoner, sisters they've tutored.
It was part of the September 6 television Simulcast, where all local stations used breaks in their regular programs to tell stories of why and how United Way education volunteers are making a difference. If you missed the Simulcast, check out all of the stories here.
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
Online gratitude: Good manners?
When I was growing up, one of my mother's most inflexible rules was sending a timely, sincere, hand-written "thank you" note to anyone who had helped me or given me a gift. Would she consider online "thank yous" good manners?
I think mom would agree that our gratitude to local television station general managers, anchors, producers, editors, videographers and all of their support staffs for creating this year's United Way stories is thankfulness worth broadcasting!
Nearly 100 people had some role in bringing this year's Simulcast to air on Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m., and we are grateful to them all.
The on-air talent shown here is but a fraction of those who helped. Representing their stations to open and close the stories that evening were: (from front left) John Stehr and Andrea Morehead, WTHR Channel 13; (second row) Scott Sander and Joy Dumandan, WISH TV-8; Todd Connor and Ericka Flye, WRTV 6; (back row) Gail Thomas-Strong and Scott Hoke, WFYI TV; Marianne Glick, 2011 Annual Campaign Chair; Dennis Ryerson, The Indianapolis Star; and, Fanchon Stinger and Bob Donaldson, WXIN Fox 59.
Thank you!
A special thanks goes to WTHR Channel 13's Young-Hee Yedinak for serving as lead producer this year, and for all of the added work that she and her colleagues took on.
We also appreciate the volunteers who let us use them as examples of what it means to help kids succeed in school and in life. Getting attention for volunteering is not something they sought. But they understand the goal is to encourage more people to read to, tutor and mentor children. And that was a persuasive argument to folks who care so much about children.
We are grateful too, for the agencies and programs in which the volunteers are serving, for helping us find and salute special people and special opportunities.
Now, you can see all the stories on YouTube! And, if you feel compelled to broadcast your own thanks for this gift of good news, please add your comments here. I doubt your mother will object.
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
Esther: being a ‘big’ gives me chance to do girly-girl things!
Esther is a single, working mother of two sons. How on earth does she make time to volunteer as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana?
That was the question on my mind when I went to photograph her being interviewed by Fox 59 for a United Way story about our community's education volunteers. I assumed most Bigs would be single people or married couples.
Esther says she made the decision "in a moment" after seeing a television spot about it.
"I'm a girly girl, and being a Big to Donyae (age 9) gives me a chance to do things like go to the Barbie exhibit, get a manicure, or check out cheerleading camps, " Esther told me.
The two clearly have fun together, but Esther also knows there are some researched-based benefits too. The program measures increases in confidence, competence and caring in Littles – all life building blocks for better relationships, educational success and avoiding risky behaviors.
Fox’s Jamie Suiter taped Big Sister Esther (left) and Little Sister Donyae literally hanging out on the playground of IPS 70
You can see for yourself what Esther and Donyae's relationship is like by tuning into Fox 59 on Tues., Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. during one of the station breaks.
Maybe you'll have one of those "moments" like Esther had, too!
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
Renee: Tutoring helped her make the grade, now she’s returning the favor
Being in college was a long time ago for me, but I still remember how I used my free time. And I admit, it was nothing like the way Renee Smith uses hers.
A junior at IUPUI who is studying child psychology and working retail part-time, Renee signed up to be a United Way ReadUP tutor to fulfill a class requirement. But even after she got her final grade, Renee continued tutoring.
Why? "I can't fathom a future in which we allow children to fail," she said.
Renee said she was moved by the first student she helped advance to the next level of books by her tutoring. "He was a choppy reader, though extremely intelligent," she recalls. After putting a smiley-face sticker on his progress report, Renee said she "cried about it all the way home." She knew she was hooked.
You can hear Renee talk about the opportunity to influence a child's future through ReadUP by watching the package created by Fox 59's Steve Hadt and Jamie Suiter. You'll also hear about the importance of volunteers from Josette Jackson, community coordinator at IPS 14, and Alan Witchey, United Way's Volunteer Center director.
It's part of the Sept. 6 television Simulcast at 7:30 p.m. where all local stations are using breaks in their regular programs to tell stories of why and how United Way education volunteers are making a difference.
--Mary Kinney, public/media relations director, United Way of Central Indiana
Sep/110
I LIVE UNITED as chair of United Way’s annual campaign
Dream with me!
Dreams. All of us have them. Some are remembered, others quickly forgotten. I have always been a big believer in dreams – both those that we enjoy in our sleep, and those we create in our imaginations while we are accessing the best parts of ourselves.
It has always been part of my family’s dream to impact our community for good. My parents, Eugene and Marilyn Glick, have worked hard to improve the quality of life for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. And, they instilled those values in their children.
From the time we were little girls, we knew how important it was to give back in whatever way possible -- be it by volunteering, giving a kind word, donating money or simply supporting others who give. That is why when I was offered the opportunity to chair United Way's campaign this year, I jumped (and those of you who know me know that I mean that literally!) at the chance.
Marianne and her Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
I then began looking at what theme would most fit me and what United Way wants to accomplish. I was given the opportunity to bid on the Joseph coat from the Civic Theatre production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and realized it was perfect!
The coat represents how even in the midst of hard times, we can choose to dream for a better world, and more importantly, to act on those dreams. So when you see me out speaking in our community during this campaign you will most likely see me in the colorful Joseph coat and using the phrase "DREAM BIG. GIVE GLEEFULLY. LIVE UNITED."
I have always been somewhat of a maverick in my thinking, dressing and manner. My family and friends have called me joyful, outspoken, daring, passionate and sometimes downright crazy. I take pride in those adjectives. I believe it is those qualities, as well as my personal mission statement of igniting, inspiring and directing energy for positive action, which have caused this campaign to be described by our volunteer cabinet members as high energy and exciting. They have embraced the campaign so that I know with the help of our community, we can all make our dream goal come true!
United Way and its partners do turn dreams into reality. Whether it is through its education initiatives such as ReadUP and Project Seed, through human service agencies such as Second Helpings and American Red Cross, or family programs such as those delivered at various neighborhood centers, United Way puts not only a face to the poverty, homelessness and children’s needs of our community, it gets tangible results. This is important to me and to my family. We have always supported United Way and believe it is one of the most effective ways you can spend your philanthropic dollars in Central Indiana.
I am grateful for the opportunity to chair this campaign because it lets me have a hands-on, birds-eye view of what is wanted and needed in Central Indiana and gives me the opportunity to directly make a difference.
Having Central Indiana be a community where children, individuals and families thrive, where neighbors care for each other and where we are proud of the quality of life of all our residents – that is United Way’s vision or dream. It will take all of us working together to make it come to fruition, and I am proud to be a part of this incredibly important and fulfilling work!
--Marianne Glick, GlickArt.com, United Way of Central Indiana 2011 campaign chair
Sep/110
Your gifts, Juaneka’s story: United Way ‘opened door to wealth of resources’
By the way, do you know about the awesome work that United Way is pioneering with registered child care ministries in Central Indiana? As a direct recipient of their endeavors, I am overwhelmed by the positive differences that have been made in our program through curriculum, professional development and mentoring grants while participating in the Central Indiana Child Improvement Project.
Charity Child Care has served the Haughville community for more than 15 years, impacting thousands of children throughout our existence. Our partnership with United Way opened the door to a wealth of resources for our program and enrolled families. Developmentally appropriate toys and much-needed furniture and equipment were purchased for 10 classrooms serving upwards of 160 children in our nursery and preschool programs. An added priceless benefit, our families have immediate access to join United Way's Early Readers Club – a free book subscription for children that fosters reading at an early age. This initiative is pivotal in bridging the gap early between home and formal education.
Juaneka in action at Charity Child Care
Speaking of education, 10 staff members were afforded attendance to professional development conferences where they received job-specific training in various topics: infant/toddler care giving, food service safety, and child care administration just to name a few. In conjunction with Child Care Answers, our entire staff was treated to an evening in-service training entitled Behavior Busters, offering self altering solutions to the hot topic of "misbehavior" in the child care setting. Even more exciting, the grant purchased a one-year subscription to an online early childhood training web site that provides 120 professional development training hours for up to 20 of our staff members. Staff members who have not yet obtained their CDA, a nation indicator for early childhood professionals, will use this training to earn formal education hours towards certification.
With all that goes on in the day- to- day happenings of a child care that serves over 200 children, one would ponder the sanity of the director. United Way wisely covered this base by providing one-on-one mentoring sessions, one of the most beneficial aspects of the project. Our mentor, Jeanie Neal, was patient and purposeful in her plan for working with our program. Some sessions we would talk it out – while in others we literally walked it out. There was a time or two when I was overwhelmed and just needed to vent, and she was always there to listen. Sometimes I just needed the subtle guidance from an experienced, yet objective eye, – a component rarely availed throughout my 13- year tenure in child care. Other times she would completely take over – rolling up her sleeves and jumping right into the classroom with our staff members – helping them to rearrange classrooms, sort through toys, setting up learning centers, and modeling interactive care giving. From this mentoring relationship I gained wisdom, learned new approaches and experienced fresh perspective.
United Way’s motto of "Addressing today’s needs reducing tomorrow's" definitely rings true through their efforts of quality improvement in early childhood. By reaching children while they are young, an impacting difference can be made in our world for the future.
Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know it by now…Charity Child Care LOVES United Way!
Juaneka Ennis, executive director, Charity Child Care
Editor's note: Since 2007, UWCI has invested approximately $1.3 million in capital funds and another $1.2 million from grants and contracts in other child care quality supports (mentoring, training, curriculum materials, etc.). The total investment is about $2.5 million.
