Tag: United Way of Northern Arizona

United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign Begins Today (Sept. 22)!

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2022 • Comments Off

Step Up for Our Community and be part of the movement that is continuing to make positive, lasting changes in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties by donating today to the United Way of Northern Arizona.

Together we can:

Improve early childhood development through education initiatives like KinderCamp™ and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Encourage positive youth development to ensure strong and resilient teens.
Help our neighbors in times of emergency by providing basic needs for safety and security.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Strategic Plan for Northeast AZ Underway

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2022 • Comments Off

United Way of Northern Arizona is in the process of developing a plan to bolster our work in northeastern Arizona and support our nonprofit partners in Navajo and Apache counties.

The strategic plan being developed is similar to a process we went through several years ago in the greater Flagstaff region, which allowed us to refocus our efforts on the most critical needs in Coconino County.

A special Task Force has been assembled for this project and is being led by Eric Scott, Human Resource and Risk Manager for Navajo County and a member of the UWNA Board.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Wishing you a Happy Labor Day

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 5.

Have a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend.

United Way of Northern Arizona — A Busy Summer for Volunteers

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2022 • Comments Off

It’s been a non-stop summer for United Way of Northern Arizona volunteers as we worked together to help with post-fire recovery efforts, prepare for the increased possibility of flooding, and even help out at a couple of this year’s KinderCamp™ events.

Before we take a look at the work done – and a few upcoming events – we’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for their hard work so far this season.
The Numbers So Far: More than 1,500 Volunteer Hours

United Way of Northern Arizona — Lowell Observatory Aims for the Stars as Pacesetter for UWNA

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2022 • Comments Off

While many companies and organizations Step Up for Our Community through their workplace campaigns for UWNA, some take an extra step by becoming Pacesetters; they hold their workplace fundraisers in the month prior to the official annual campaign to help jumpstart it.

One of the most successful at this is Lowell Observatory, where typically 25% to 30% of the 163 employees participate in the Pacesetter campaign each year.

The person responsible for this pre-campaign effort at the observatory is Mattie Harrington. She’s the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Jeff Hall; Director of Philanthropy Lisa Actor; and the observatory’s Sole Trustee, W. Lowell Putnam IV, the great-grandnephew of its founder, Percival Lowell.

The Pacesetter fundraising outreach is conducted primarily via email, she said, with her sending out a communication to the staff once a week reminding them of the work UWNA supports in early childhood education, youth development, and crisis response.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Why Pacesetters Are So Important

by Community Contributor • August 4, 2022 • Comments Off

If United Way of Northern Arizona’s annual fundraising campaign is the “big game,” then the Pacesetters host the tailgate party.

Technically, Pacesetters are those organizations and businesses that hold their workplace fundraising efforts on behalf of UWNA in the month prior to the official start of the annual campaign. Collectively, they give the campaign a head start, set the tone, and are pivotal to its ultimate success.

But their importance goes beyond the money they raise. Much like the tailgaters who gather in the parking lot before a game or concert, Pacesetters build up energy for the big event. They are the superfans who get everyone excited about what’s coming up.

We are so grateful to our Pacesetter partners, the businesses and organizations that value the role of UWNA as a convener driving real, measurable results in improving our community. They lead the effort to Step Up for Our Community so together we can expand early childhood education, ensure that our youth are more resilient, and help our friends and neighbors with basic needs in times of crisis.

Our month-long Pacesetter effort starts Monday, August 15, and we are looking for additional businesses and organizations that would like to be part of this endeavor as we launch our annual campaign.

United Way of Northern Arizona — KinderCamp™ 2022: ABCs and Basketball

by Community Contributor • July 21, 2022 • Comments Off

After two years of being impacted by the pandemic, 2022 was when KinderCamp™ returned to normal.

“It felt like the kids got to be kids again,” said Sara Owen, a teacher with the Flagstaff Unified School District and the coordinator of the early education program. “They got to experience the school environment; their parents got to be part of it and we had lots of visitors.”

Those visitors included a pediatrician from North Country Healthcare, who taught the students how to use a stethoscope; firefights just back from battling local wildfires; a nutritionist; and basketball players from Northern Arizona University and Flagstaff High School.

United Way of Northern Arizona — How Agencies Came Together During This Fire Season

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2022 • Comments Off

In less than two months this spring, three major wildfires dominated our news as they charred land, displaced residents, and destroyed structures in their path.

One of the few silver linings during those eight weeks was how well individuals, nonprofit organizations and local governments came together to deal with the crises.

“What I find in Coconino County is that everyone works together like a family,” said Joel Bunis, who joined Coconino County Health and Human Services in January as its Outbreak Response Division Manager. “It’s all about connecting people with what they need.”

United Way of Northern Arizona — A Crowning Achievement — UWNA Grant Helps Launch New Shelter Service

by Community Contributor • June 23, 2022 • Comments Off

When COVID-19 made congregant shelter living a dangerous option for those experiencing homelessness, Flagstaff Shelter Services (FSS) stepped up by renting hotel rooms for their most immunocompromised clients. It was a successful – if expensive – way to continue to serve the homeless at the height of the pandemic.

It also led to an innovative idea: tap into funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act to acquire a hotel and rehab the units into emergency housing. With the support of the Arizona Department of Housing, FSS purchased a Route 66 hotel that years ago was the The Crown Motel and more recently operated as a Howard Johnsons.

Other groups helped support the launch of the new site, including the Forest Highlands Foundation and the Arizona Diamondback. A grant from United Way of Northern Arizona allowed FSS to hire a full-time manager for the new shelter complex, which is being renamed The Crown in a nod to the building’s history.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Once Again, Our Community Is Burning

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2022 • Comments Off

For the past 12 years, the names have accumulated like a litany of destruction: Schultz. Slide. Tinder. Museum. Tunnel.

Now, less than two months after the last major wildfire left our mountains glowing red at night and our skies dark with smoke during the day, we have two more names to add to this sad list – Pipeline and Haywire.

The situation northeast of Flagstaff is still very fluid. The latest statistics from InciWeb (the US Forest Service site that tracks wildfires nationwide) indicate that 20,000 acres have burned in the Pipeline Fire with another 4,000 charred by Haywire.

Evacuation statuses have shifted back and forth as officials receive more information, but even those who were allowed to return to their homes Tuesday were warned to be ready to leave again at a moment’s notice. At this point, we know two structures have burned since Sunday.

United Way of Northern Arizona — A Change is Coming

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2022 • Comments Off

A Message from Carol Dykes

It is with mixed emotions that I send you this message, because change – even when it’s welcome – often isn’t easy.

Earlier this week, I let the Board of Directors of United Way of Northern Arizona and the amazing staff of this organization know that I plan to retire by the end of this year.

The exact timing isn’t set – I plan to offer what assistance I can as the Board searches for my replacement, and will continue for however long is needed to ensure a smooth transition for my successor.

Even though it’s still several months off and even though I’m truly looking forward to the next chapter, I have to admit it’s hard to imagine my life after UWNA. I’ve been a proud member of this organization for 24 years. (I met my husband through a workplace campaign, for goodness sake.) It has been a profound pleasure to work alongside you as together we have improved community conditions, responded to emergencies, and made the future a brighter place for so many in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.

United Way of Northern Arizona — From Fire Recovery to KinderCamp™ – We Need Volunteers

by Community Contributor • June 2, 2022 • Comments Off

On the surface, you wouldn’t think the post-Tunnel Fire recovery efforts and the KinderCamp™ program have much to do with each other. One is about cleaning up the debris so families can rebuild after a devastating fire; the other is about making sure children entering kindergarten are ready for their first day of school.

The common thread? Both require volunteer support, and we’re hoping you can spare a few hours in the coming days and weeks to help.

United Way of Northern Arizona — (Video) Community Celebrates Elevate PreK

by Community Contributor • May 19, 2022 • Comments Off

Last weekend, proponents of early education gathered to celebrate the first year of Elevate PreK, a pilot program that offers high-quality, full-day, year-round preschool experience at no cost to families.

The program is geared toward 4-year-olds living in households with income between 101% and 250% of the federal poverty level who are not currently enrolled in preschool.

United Way of Northern Arizona is one of the program’s supporters and co-hosted the event.

In addition to offering an evidenced-based curriculum, the program also offers wrap-around services for families so that parents and caregivers get the support they need.

The celebration included a review of Elevate PreK’s progress in its first year conducted by Dr. Caroline Black, an assistant professor of early childhood education at Northern Arizona University. Her study showed that outcomes of the program included growth in students’ social skills, self-control, engagement and vocabulary in the first year.

United Way of Northern Arizona — KinderCamp™ Returns This Summer

by Community Contributor • May 13, 2022 • Comments Off

Plans are underway now for this year’s KinderCamp™ in northern Arizona, which will once again give preschoolers the foundational, social and academic skills needed to successfully transition into kindergarten.

Plus, there will be a little basketball included.

In honor of a $10,000 donation from the Phoenix Suns for this program, there will be a one-day basketball clinic for the Flagstaff preschoolers participating in the four-week program.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Last Chance to Register for Elevate PreK Celebration This Saturday

by Community Contributor • May 9, 2022 • Comments Off

We hope that you’ll join us this Saturday for our celebration of Elevate PreK’s successful first year. In case you haven’t had a chance to register. please do so here.

Our keynote speaker will be early childhood education advocate Rhian Evans Allvin, the driving force behind the establishment of First Things First.

Educators, business community leaders and experts will also speak to why increasing access to high-quality, year-round preschool education helps not only our children, but our workplaces and communities as well.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Social Peak Collective Streamlining Access to Basic Needs›

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2022 • Comments Off

‘Social Peak Collective’ Launches Pop-Ups

There’s no doubt that the greater Flagstaff area is rich in resources to help people with basic needs. Between government services and non-profits, there are scores of programs that can assist families with everything from food insecurity to health screenings to utility expenses

United Way of Northern Arizona — TUNNEL FIRE: Crisis Response Fund Update

by Community Contributor • May 2, 2022 • Comments Off

Northern Arizona University, Nestle Purina, Suddenlink and OneAZ Credit Union are leading the way in providing funds to help those who have been impacted by the Tunnel Fire. Together they have contributed $45,000 to the United Way of Northern Arizona Crisis Response Fund.

These funds will be used to help people impacted by the fire meet immediate needs and offer assistance as they rebuild and recover. The blaze, which as of last night was 89% contained, has destroyed more than 100 structures, including 30 homes northeast of Flagstaff.

United Way of Northern Arizona — TUNNEL FIRE: ‘A Time for Neighbors to Help Neighbors’

by Community Contributor • April 21, 2022 • Comments Off

During last night’s informative community meeting on the Tunnel Fire, it was the words of Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman that stood out to us:

“This is a time for neighbors to help neighbors.”

United Way of Northern Arizona is currently raising money to help those impacted by the Tunnel Fire through the UWNA Crisis Response Fund. You can donate to the fund by texting UWNAZresponse to 41444. Donations can also be processed on our website here.

United Way 0f Northern Arizona — Ventura Land Trust Presents April Environmental Speaker Series: Women in Conservation

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2022 • Comments Off

In 2001, Alice’s Place in Winslow opened, providing services for those facing domestic and sexual violence. It was founded by the late Dr. Kenneth Mackey Ogilvie, a local OB/GYN, who named it to honor his grandmother, Alice Hurley Mackey, a Choctaw woman who escaped domestic violence. She went on to become a writer and enjoyed a circle of friends that included prominent historians and artists.

“Her story exemplifies what we want to do,” said Theresa Warren, executive director of the shelter. “First, get people out of a crisis. But that’s not enough; that just stabilizes the situation. Where do you go from there? Our job is to empower the individuals we work with.”

United Way of Northern Arizona — AZ Gives Starts Today

by Community Contributor • April 5, 2022 • Comments Off

We hope that you’ll join us for Arizona Gives Day, a 24-hour, statewide celebration of charitable organizations that starts at noon today. It’s a special time that unites supporters of big and small nonprofits to increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving.

Many thanks to those of you who have already donated to United Way of Northern Arizona as part of this year’s #AZGIves campaign. If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, you can do so by clicking HERE.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Getting Your Donations Where They Are Needed Most

by Community Contributor • March 24, 2022 • Comments Off

At the heart of the United Way of Northern Arizona’s grant process is the Community Investment (CI) Fund, a volunteer-driven process that invests your donations into the proven programs, partnerships and initiatives that are changing lives in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties every day.

There are currently 37 community volunteers participating in one of seven Community Investment Teams spread throughout northern Arizona.

This year, their review process is a little different.

Typically, UWNA disburses one-year grants to our partners, but in 2021, we chose to make two-year commitments to each of the the 42 programs supported through your donations, with an initial grant given last year and a “renewal” grant awarded this year.

That change gave our partners a little more stability and the opportunity to plan out beyond one year.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Page Regional Domestic Violence Services Providing ‘Another Way’ for Those Seeking Help

by Community Contributor • March 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Over the years, Page Regional Domestic Violence Services (PRDVS) has evolved in its approach to breaking the cycle of physical and psychological trauma that often is a daily fact of life for American Indian women. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey reports that almost 46% of American Indian women are physically abused by an intimate partner during their lifetime, rates significantly higher than for other ethnic groups.

When it opened in 1997, PRDVS was a five-bed shelter in a single-wide mobile home trailer donated by the City of Page. Now, operating under the name Another Way, it has 32 beds in four double-wide mobile homes that have been converted into duplexes.

United Way of Northern Arizona — W.L. Gore’s Commitment to UWNA

by Community Contributor • March 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Janet Leung, who retired from W.L. Gore & Associates in 2013, said one of the defining characteristics of her former workplace is its strong spirit of community.

“Everyone has a sense of ownership, of looking out for each other and the company as well,” she said recently.

That attitude extends to its commitment to the community. W.L. Gore not only encourages its employees to support local nonprofits, it matches their donations dollar-for-dollar, even after its associates have retired from the company.

United Way of Northern Arizona — More Than Just School Readiness

by Community Contributor • March 4, 2022 • Comments Off

When Elevate PreK launched its year-round early childhood education program at Kinsey Elementary School last August, expectations were high.

The three-year pilot program was designed not only to fill the gaps in accessing high-quality preschool education in Flagstaff for lower- and middle-income families; it was a chance to showcase best practices and spur more professional development for all early childhood learning professionals.

In just a few months, however, the program has also become a force for good in the lives of the families of the 18 children who attend Elevate PreK.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Mike Kelly Elected UWNA Board Chairman

by Community Contributor • February 24, 2022 • Comments Off

To fulfill its mission of Improving lives by mobilizing communities, United Way of Northern Arizona has always depended on its volunteer Board of Directors to direct our efforts. While never an easy job, over the last few years it has been even more challenging as the pandemic and other crises created a huge demand for services in the community.

United Way of Northern Arizona — (Video) The Programs You Support

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2022 • Comments Off

There is so much your donation supports when you Step Up and donate to United Way of Northern Arizona.

Like QCKids, the program featured in the video above. Families who have children with disabilities often have difficulty finding care that will prepare their children for kindergarten. The problem is compounded for low-income families, many of whom have difficulty finding affordable, quality child care at all.

QCKids provides a program for children from infancy to 6 years with a focus on identifying and addressing cognitive, physical, social, intellectual and emotional disabilities in order to support learning at a young age to help them better prepare for their future.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Retired, But Still Stepping Up

by Community Contributor • February 3, 2022 • Comments Off

Many supporters of United Way of Northern Arizona and its mission first learned about UWNA through a workplace campaign. After hearing about the work UWNA does, they chose to make a donation, often through an automatic payroll deduction.

We are grateful many choose to continue their support after they retire from the workforce.

People like Susanna Maxwell and Barry Lutz, a couple who began giving to UWNA more than three decades ago through workplace campaigns at Northern Arizona University. Although they both retired in 2010, that hasn’t slowed down their support.

United Way of Northern Arizona — How Do We Make 2022 Even Better?

by Community Contributor • January 21, 2022 • Comments Off

When we look at the outcomes, the past year was a powerful reminder of all that we can do when we work together.

Because you Stepped Up for Our Community either as a donor, an advocate or a volunteer, we collectively did more than ever before to advance:

Early childhood education
Positive youth development
Basic services that strengthened our social safety net.

But that leaves us with a very important question:

How can we make 2022 even better?

United Way of Northern Arizona — (Video) A message from NAU President Cruz Rivera

by Community Contributor • January 14, 2022 • Comments Off

There’s no doubt that Northern Arizona University plays a huge role in our community. In addition to being Flagstaff’s largest employer, it is the home of thousands of students who live, work and study here.

NAU is also a major player in local philanthropic efforts, including its annual workplace campaign to support United Way of Northern Arizona.

This year, NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera successfully challenged the university’s community to boost its contributions to UWNA, increasing their campaign goal from $25,000 to $35,000.

“NAU stepped up for community and for that I’m grateful,” he said.

Because NAU met the new goal, President Cruz Rivera authorized another $10,000 donation from the Office of the President, making NAU’s total contribution this year $45,000.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Update on the Social Safety Net Coalition

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2021 • Comments Off

When the pandemic took hold in northern Arizona in the spring of 2020, there were so many unknowns. How severe would the impact of COVID be? When would lockdowns be lifted? How long before we had a viable vaccine?

One thing we did know: Coconino County nonprofits and agencies were going to be hard-pressed to meet the challenges during an unprecedented crisis.

That’s why the United Way of Northern Arizona and Coconino County launched the Social Safety Net Coalition. Its goal was to help those providing basic needs coordinate their efforts to address an ever-evolving situation. Almost two years later, this group continues its impressive, collaborative work.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Partner Spotlight: Volunteers, Food Donations Needed at Flagstaff Family Food Center

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2021 • Comments Off

During this season of giving, we’d like to ask you to consider donating your time (and maybe a few non-perishable items) to the Flagstaff Family Food Center (FFFC), a UWNA partner that has served thousands of our neighbors when they were at their most vulnerable.

The organization, which opened its doors on Christmas Day exactly 30 years ago, has provided meals through its daily hot dinner and sack lunches at its kitchen on North 2nd Street, or through its Food Bank on Huntington Drive.

United Way of Northern Arizona — It’s Giving Tuesday!

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2021 • Comments Off

Welcome to #GivingTuesday.

Can we count on you to be part of today’s international movement?

When you give to United Way of Northern Arizona, you are investing in the future of our community and local programs to help our friends and neighbors in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.

Please Step Up for Our Community today – and thank you for donating!

United Way of Northern Arizona — Happy Thanksgiving!

by Community Contributor • November 24, 2021 • Comments Off

We wanted to take a moment to send warm wishes to you and yours for a lovely holiday this week. May you have safe travels, fabulous meals with family and friends, and much for which to be grateful.

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Carol, Heidi, Christine, Elaine & Sybil

United Way of Northern Arizona — How You Stepped Up for Our Youth in 2021

by Community Contributor • November 12, 2021 • Comments Off

At United Way of Northern Arizona, we love sharing with you the stories that illustrate the good work we are doing with our partners to Step Up for Our Youth and Our Community.

It’s work that you make possible through your generous donations, which we then direct to proven programs and services the improve the lives of our residents in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.

But sometimes, numbers can be even more impressive than stories. Sometimes they give you the full picture of the impact we are achieving together. Numbers like:

28,204 books that were distributed in the last year to young children (birth to age 8) through programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and KinderCamp.™

United Way of Northern Arizona — You Can Help Provide A Safe Haven

by Community Contributor • November 4, 2021 • Comments Off

Part of Stepping Up for Our Community is ensuring the safety and security of our residents in times of crisis.

This is why, in partnership with Northland Family Help Center, United Way is working to ensure that a safe haven is available when individuals are dealing with domestic violence or children are in need of foster care.

UWNA’s support – fueled by your donations- is vital for this program, which serves more than 150 individuals each year, including a significant number of children who stay in its youth shelter. This facility is designed to feel more like a home than a shelter, with people cooking together, watching movies and even gardening while they stay there.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Will You Step Up for Our Community?

by Community Contributor • October 14, 2021 • Comments Off

An ongoing pandemic. Wildfires. Flooding.

In reflecting on the past year, United Way of Northern Arizona President & CEO Carol Dykes probably summed it up best when she said, “Some days it just felt like we couldn’t catch a break.”

But working together, we ensured that our communities rallied. Thanks to generous people like you who donated to the United Way, funds were available to ensure that people were able to stay in their homes, feed their children and keep the lights on.

United Way of Northern Arizona — In Case You Missed It: Our Campaign Kickoff Video

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for the virtual launch of the 2021-2022 United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign.

A big thank you as well to all the people who participated in our video, sharing their stories about how programs funded by UWNA have impacted their lives.

In case you missed it, you can view the video here:

United Way of Northern Arizona — UWNA Summit Society Spotlight: Lowell Observatory

by Community Contributor • September 23, 2021 • Comments Off

There are many companies and organizations that enable United Way of Northern Arizona to do the work it does to Step Up for Our Community. From large entities like W.L. Gore & Associates and local governments to businesses with much smaller staffs, each is essential to our mission and we are grateful to all of them.

In the history of the Summit Society, and the creation of UWNA as a whole, Lowell Observatory holds a special place, however. In fact, it was the wife of a Lowell astronomer who helped found the United Way in Flagstaff more than 50 years ago.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Meet the 2021 Annual Campaign Leaders

by Community Contributor • September 17, 2021 • Comments Off

We are excited to announce that long-time United Way supporters Andy Bertelsen and Susan Hilgart will be leading this year’s United Way of Northern Arizona Annual Campaign, which officially kicks off with a virtual event later this month.

Both Andy and Susan are long-time civil servants with impressive resumes in the public sector.

Andy, who recently became the Interim Water Services Director for the City of Flagstaff after five years as Public Works Director, will be the campaign’s spokesman for Coconino County. Andy is a Summit Society member has been involved with UWNA for 15 years, including several years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors before becoming Vice Chair and eventually Chairman of the Board.

Meanwhile, Susan, the Deputy Director of Human Services and Public Health Improvement for Navajo County, will represent Apache and Navajo counties. Although she only came to northern Arizona from Minnesota a few years ago, she has been involved with United Way organizations for more than three decades.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Our Neighbors Need Your Help

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2021 • Comments Off

Monsoon season returned with a vengeance this year, pounding the Museum Fire burn scar and resulted in extensive damage to our community. Just look at the headlines from the past few weeks:

Historic Arizona flooding damages homes, leaves trail of debris
Flagstaff school closed due to flash flood damage
Ducey issues 2nd emergency declaration for Coconino County

In addition to the estimated $1 million in public infrastructure damage (not to mention the Killip Elementary School building being shuttered), much of the burden of this season has been shouldered by residential areas. Many homes were hard hit by flood waters – not once but multiple times – and now have extensive interior damage.

Please consider helping these neighbors by donating to the Crisis Response Fund.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Neighbor Helping Neighbor

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2021 • Comments Off

As recent history has shown us, we often don’t know when a crisis will happen. Although we can anticipate certain emergencies, they usually strike without warning.

What we do know is that because of your support of the United Way of Northern Arizona Crisis Response Fund, UWNA and its community and partner agencies will be ready to assist.

In the past three years, your generosity has helped your neighbors as we faced at least five crises:
The Tinder wildfire
A month-long government shutdown
The Museum fire
The lingering crisis (both health and economic) from the pandemic
The recent flooding in Flagstaff.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Please Join Us: Sandbag Filling Shifts Now Through Friday

by Community Contributor • July 28, 2021 • Comments Off

The weather outside is frightful – or at least the predictions for rain are. While today should be mostly sunny, it looks like the monsoons will be returning later this week and sticking around throughout the weekend.

That’s why we are working with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County to arrange multiple volunteer opportunities to help fill sandbags this week. Each day there are two shifts – from 8 am to Noon and then from 1 to 5 pm. Please note, however, that you don’t have to work all four hours of a shift; any amount of time you can help will be appreciated.

Volunteer with the United Way of Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • July 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Please consider volunteering with your neighbors in the Museum Flood Area! They need help restocking sandbags that keep their homes and families safe from post- wildfire flooding caused by the Museum Fire. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

United Way of Northern Arizona — 2 New Reports Show How Far We Need to Go

by Community Contributor • July 15, 2021 • Comments Off

A pair of recently released reports illustrate how far our region and state have to go to provide better outcomes for our children and youth – and how the pandemic has complicated those efforts.

According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arizona was slowly making improvements in multiple areas for children. The state is consistently in the bottom 25% for overall rankings, but had shown gains in 2019 in both the economic well-being of children and with more elementary and middle school students meeting math and reading proficiency levels.

And then COVID hit.

United Way of Northern Arizona — KinderCamp™ Events Celebrate Special Summer

by Community Contributor • July 9, 2021 • Comments Off

The classes were a little smaller, the program was a little shorter, and smoke from wildfires sometimes made getting outside for recess difficult. Despite those challenges, the return of KinderCamp™ last month was a great success.

More than 130 students from Flagstaff, Williams and Pinetop-Lakeside took part in this year’s collaborative project, which prepares pre-school age children academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten.

“It was great,” said Sara Owen, the coordinator for the project. “The families were excited to be back in person, the kids were happy to be in school, and the teachers were appreciative for a chance to help them grow.”

United Way of Northern Arizona — Ready to Live United

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2021 • Comments Off

If there is anything good that we can take from the pandemic, it is that it reinforced some things that we can all agree on: the importance of taking care of each other and the power of caring communities to step up in times of crisis and create positive change.

Supporters like you raised tens of thousands of dollars to help those impacted this past year. Your United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) funneled those funds to where they would do the most good. Because of you, families were able to stay in their homes, feed their families and keep the lights on.

But our work is not over.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Providing Child Care in the Grand Canyon

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2021 • Comments Off

For most of the past year, Kaibab Learning Center has been able to remain open, an amazing feat for the child care provider as it celebrates 20 years of serving the Grand Canyon area.

There was an initial closure when the pandemic first began, but on June 29, 2020, KLC reopened its doors, providing child care, preschool, after-school and summer school programs for dozens of families.

“With the exception of our six holiday days, our center prides itself on being there every single weekday, Monday through Friday,” said KLC Assistant Director Andrea Ramsey.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Getting Your Money Where It Needs to Go

by Community Contributor • April 23, 2021 • Comments Off

At the heart of the United Way of Northern Arizona’s grant process is the Community Investment Fund, a volunteer-driven process that invests your donations into the proven programs, partnerships and initiatives that are changing lives in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties every day.

Volunteers with the committee make a year-long commitment to review grant applications, evaluate programs and perform site visits.

“As a member of the Community Investment Team, I get to see first-hand how UWNA brings together community partners and leverages resources to support our local non-profit agencies,” said Tami Suchowiejko, who is with Coconino County and one of the three newest CI team members.

Also joining our force of almost 40 volunteers are Eve Ford of Eve Ford Consulting and Sue Hilgart of Navajo County. The volunteers are broken up into seven teams, five in Flagstaff and one each in Page and northeast Arizona.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Partner Update: C.U.D.D.L.E. Teaching Life Skills to Teens

by Community Contributor • April 16, 2021 • Comments Off

In school, in work and in life, teens don’t reach their goals all on their own; in order to move ahead, they need to know there’s a path to get to where they want to go.

C.U.D.D.L.E. Outreach has partnered with United Way of Northern Arizona to help adolescents in Page find that path. Through a program that identifies at-risk teens and provides them with essential life skills, they help ensure that this next generation is prepared for the realities of adulthood and ready to live up to their potential.

C.U.D.D.L.E. – the acronym stands for Children Under Duress Divinely Loved Everywhere – does this through a mix of programs and lessons that cover everything from how to open a savings account to making a grocery list to changing a tire on a car.

City of Flagstaff, United Way of Northern Arizona announce 2021-2023 Grant application cycle

by Community Contributor • March 30, 2021 • Comments Off

The city of Flagstaff, in partnership with United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), announces the opening of the 2021-2023 grant application cycle on April 1, 2021. Grant applications will be due on April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This is a two-year application cycle (based on availability of funds).

United Way of Northern Arizona — 4-H Blacksmith Program Forging Leaders

by Community Contributor • March 25, 2021 • Comments Off

If we were to say “4-H” to you, you’d immediately think pigs and goats on display at the County Fair, right? Animal husbandry has always been a core part of the 4-H experience.

In recent years, however, the Coconino County Cooperative Extension, which runs our local 4-H clubs, has expanded their youth education programs to include robotics, cake decorating and, now, blacksmithing.

In spite of the closures brought by Covid-19, interest in the practical metallurgy class being offered by the group, called “Evolution of the Tool,” has exceeded all expectation.

United Way of Northern Arizona — 24 Hours of Giving. A Lifetime of Impact

by Community Contributor • March 18, 2021 • Comments Off

What a difference a day makes.

For our state’s nonprofits, including United Way of Northern Arizona, 24 hours can have a huge impact on the programs we provide and the partners we support.

That’s why we are so proud to be participating in this year’s Arizona Gives Day on Tuesday, April 6. During the past nine years, this event has raised more than $23 million for Arizona nonprofits, including a record $6.1 million last year.

It’s a special day that unites supporters of big and small nonprofits to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving.

You don’t have to wait until April 6 to participate, however.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Partner Update: Round Valley Community Center

by Community Contributor • March 2, 2021 • Comments Off

Seniors in Springerville, Eagar and surrounding towns have missed visiting the Round Valley Community Services and Adult Center since it stopped hosting lunchtime meals and in-person programs last year due to the pandemic.

In fact, Community Services Director Robin Aguero says she gets calls every week from seniors asking when they can come back.

That long wait might be over soon, as the center – a partner agency of UWNA – works to slowly reopen in-person programs.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Welcoming Our 2021 Officers and New Board Member

by Community Contributor • February 17, 2021 • Comments Off

Key to the success of the United Way of Northern Arizona is our Board of Directors. We are fortunate that in our 50+ years, this organization has always been led by volunteer leaders who keenly understand the needs of the communities we serve.

Recently, we held our organizational meeting where we named a new Board Chair, installed the 2021 officers, and welcomed a new member.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Looking Forward to 2021

by Community Contributor • December 31, 2020 • Comments Off

Happy New Year’s Eve!

I wanted to first and foremost send you well wishes for the New Year. It’s my hope that 2021 brings you and yours much happiness and good health.

I also wanted to take a moment to provide you with an update on the United Way of Northern Arizona’s annual campaign and our plans for the coming year.

For most of 2020, we focused on mitigating the economic impact of Covid-19. That work will continue because even with the vaccine rollouts, we are still facing the often devastating consequences of the pandemic in our communities.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Pulling Together for PPE

by Community Contributor • December 16, 2020 • Comments Off

When things feel like they are falling apart, we pull together. We forge partnerships and put aside the bureaucracies and red tape so we can make an impact fast.

Nowhere has this need for collaboration been more evident than during our COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve told you a lot about how we’ve forwarded your gifts to the agencies through our COVID-19 Fund, but today we wanted to talk about some partnerships that are making it easier to get PPE to groups here in northern Arizona.

The Coconino County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and the United Way of Northern Arizona have been working with our state VOAD organization and Phoenix-based partners like the Valley of the Sun United Way and Phoenix ToolBank to secure masks, gowns, hand sanitizer and other supplies for northern Arizona organizations.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Tonight’s the Night!

by Community Contributor • December 9, 2020 • Comments Off

We are looking forward to this evening’s premier of The Library That Dolly Built, a documentary about how the Dolly Parton Imagination Library started as an effort to honor her father and grew into one of the largest non-governmental literacy programs in the world.

The film, being streamed on Facebook, will be followed by a live Q&A session with Dolly Parton. (We hear she might even sing a song.)

United Way of Northern Arizona — The Most Important Thing She’s Ever Done

by Community Contributor • December 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Dolly Parton, simply put, is a legend. An icon. A cultural touchstone. She’s had phenomenal commercial and critical success. She’s earned an “EGOT,” winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her career spans a half century and she’s still going strong. Not bad for a kid born in a one-room cabin in the mountains of east Tennessee.

But before he passed away, her father told her that probably the most important thing she’s ever done was to start her “Imagination Library.”

United Way of Northern Arizona — Raising A Generation of Readers

by Community Contributor • November 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Nationally, only 3 in 10 students entering the 4th grade are proficient readers.(1) That’s disheartening enough, but here’s the really scary statistic: children who aren’t reading proficiently by the 4th grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.(2)

Instilling a love of reading is the key to success for our children. It’s the foundation upon which their education is built.

That’s why United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) is proud to partner with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) to make sure children in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties discover the world of books in those critical years before they enter school.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Why Early Childhood Education is the ‘Golden Ticket’

by Community Contributor • November 6, 2020 • Comments Off

According to the Association for Supportive Child Care, almost 1 in 3 young children in Arizona live in poverty. More than half of low-income children are not prepared for kindergarten. That is not only a tragedy for the present; it means their, and our, future is at risk too.

Because the majority of children who start behind, stay behind. They are less likely to be ready for kindergarten or to read at grade level during elementary school; they have more behavioral issues; they have higher high school dropout rates; and without their diploma, their economic prospects are dimmed.

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