United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is starting 2025 fresh with a brand new look. We’re excited about our new logo – the brighter colors and more fluid shape feel more modern, more active, more “us.”
Organizations HAVE to evolve, or they won’t survive changing times and needs. Luckily, we aren’t just experts in our communities; we’re experts in adaptability. When the needs of the community have changed, we’ve always changed, too.
Our last major change came more than 15 years ago when we began developing our own United Way-led programs like Buddy Backpacks and United for Veterans – and fundraising events to support them like Flavor of the North and the upcoming Power of the Purse.
One thing that will never change is our commitment to the community. It didn’t change when we began operating our own programs after 40+ years of operating purely as a funder and connector. In fact, it strengthened – we now not only provide funding to a network of local nonprofits but operate our own programs to make even more community resources available.
We will never lose sight of the importance of local voices, our appreciation of local volunteers and donors, and the high level of care required to get the best results for our region by investing gifts of time, funds, and insight wisely.
It’s an important foundation as we put the United for ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) study we helped release last fall to work. The study found that while on average 10% of our neighbors are living in poverty, another 26% on average are ALICE – individuals who are working (or retired) and earning above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford a basic household survival budget.
While knowing where our communities fare with ALICE is helpful to understand, coming up with a thoughtful and comprehensive plan to make positive changes will be a big challenge and will require serious coordination. We’re ready for our next big move, we’re in a unique position to help bring key players together to drive change, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish in 2025 and beyond for ALICE in our region.
United is the way we accomplish big things. If you’re ready to join us, there are multiple ways to get involved. Apply to serve on our board or one of our committees; visit our volunteer portal to sign up to help with our events, programs, partners, and other community groups; and check our website and social media pages frequently because new opportunities arise often.
It is a scientific fact that giving and volunteering is healthy for you as it releases natural oxytocin, so whether your New Years resolution is focused on bettering your community or bettering yourself, look no further than your local United Way!
LaTisha Gietzen is the Marketing Manager – Mining North America for Kalenborn and has served on UWNEMN’s Board of Directors for eight years.