LIFEDesigns is a United Way Member Agency in Bartholomew and Monroe Counties. I believe many people wonder “what does it mean to be a United Way member agency?” It means that we are held to high standards and are certified every year by volunteers from the community and United Way board members who evaluate how our business is operated, and our financial strength. It means that we’re connected with other agencies that serve the community to make it a better place for people to live. All United Way Member Agencies are agencies with some type of Human Services mission. We all play different roles in ensuring that all members of the community have their basic needs met: an affordable place to live, nutritious food, access to resources that help with financial stability, supports in place to find a job, and more.
This year, I’ve had the honor of serving as the President of (UWADA) or United Way Agency Directors Association. This means that I’ve had the opportunity to be the elected representative for member agencies, and I attend the United Way Board Meetings. This experience has helped me get to know and better understand United Way’s role in this community, and help to shape the direction the United Way of Monroe County goes in the future.
Each year, LIFEDesigns runs a workplace campaign to support the United Way because the United Way does so much for our agency and many other local non-profits. This year, LIFEDesigns was awarded over $42,000 from the United Ways of Monroe and Bartholomew Counties.. The United Way of Monroe County helps to fund our supported living and affordable housing programs to ensure that our clients have safe, accessible, and affordable places to live, while the United Way of Bartholomew County funds our employment services to help people with disabilities find jobs.
It’s so important to support the United Way for the work that they are doing with LIFEDesigns and so many other outstanding organizations in our communities. LIFEDesigns runs a workplace campaign to raise money for the United Way. Each year our employees hold a penny wars competition, a chili cook-off, pumpkin carving contest, and “jeans for a cause” all to support the United Way campaign. Generally, we’re able to raise around $400-500 to support the United Way.
This year LIFEDesigns was asked to present to Duke Energy employees about our services and how we help our clients. Huge Thanks goes out to Duke Energy for giving their employees opportunities and incentive to give donations and volunteer with local 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. We’re so lucky to live in a community where people care so much about each other.
See the United Way of Monroe County’s website or United Way of Bartholomew County’s website to learn more about the work they each do in the community they serve.