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United Way of Northern Arizona — Looking Back & Planning Ahead

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

This year has been one of change and progress for United Way of Northern Arizona.

Before we take a look at some of the biggest events that defined this year, I wanted to thank you not only for your support of UWNA, but also for the kindness you have shown me during my first year as the President & CEO of this superb nonprofit.

When I joined UWNA, I was thrilled to help lead a nonprofit known for its ability to address the big issues and be an agent for change. The Board of Directors and staff of UWNA are committed to amplifying UWNA’s role as a community convener in 2024 and beyond.

Thank you for your support of UWNA in the past year and for living United in Purpose.

From the desk of:

Liz Archuleta

President & CEO

United in Purpose in 2023

In the past year, United Way of Northern Arizona has expanded its goals in promoting positive youth development, while continuing our work in early childhood development, and serving as one of the go-to organizations during times of crisis.

This was the first year since the pandemic that we had our Annual Campaign kickoff in person. During that event, we re-committed to stepping up for our youth through a comprehensive approach that supported our children from birth through early adulthood.

We presented it as a circle where we as a community wrap ourselves around our youth and can step in at any point of a youth’s development and make a difference.

One of those places where we can step in is when our children are preparing for that all-important first day of school. For almost 20 years, we have partnered with local school systems to provide the KinderCamp™ summer program, which helps four- and five-year-olds gain the confidence and skills they need to make a successful start in kindergarten.

During those four weeks, more than 100 students are prepared academically, socially, and emotionally for school. In addition to mastering their letters and numbers, they find out what it’s like to ride the school bus, eat in a cafeteria setting, and work cooperatively with other students.

After this year’s KinderCamp, parents were surveyed about the program. Of the 88 parents surveyed, 73.6% said that as a result of KinderCamp, their child’s ability to socialize with other children had substantially improved; 71.1% said their ability to communicate with adults had substantially improved; and 65.9% felt their child knew more letters and sounds of the alphabet.

One of the most valuable services provided by UWNA is ensuring that donations and other sources of funding go where they are needed most.

This year, through the UWNA Community Investment Fund, more than $510,000 was disbursed to 37 community programs that are making a difference in Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties. Teams of volunteers meticulously review grant applications and evaluate outcomes, so that proven programs receive the sustaining funding they need to continue the good work they are doing.

This process of evaluating grant applications for the Community Investment Fund is so well respected that the City of Flagstaff asked UWNA to administer the disbursement of federal funds it received from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“United Way has been an excellent steward of administering public funds and has shown strong fiscal accountability,” said Stacey Brechler-Knaggs, the City’s Grants, Contracts & Emergency Management Director.

UWNA not only administers money; it has also demonstrated expertise in motivating volunteers to help our partner agencies, as well as marshalling them at short notice during times of crisis.

This year UWNA signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Flagstaff to provide coordination of volunteers during “emergencies, disasters, or special events” as determined by City officials. This is in addition to the agreement we already have with Coconino County to coordinate volunteers during emergencies.

We also created a guide to volunteering in northern Arizona to help connect people interested in donating their time and talents with the local organizations that need them.

As we look ahead to 2024, our Board of Directors is determined to fulfill our mission to mobilize local communities to create lasting, positive changes in community conditions.

During our recent Board Retreat, we discussed the best strategies to continue to step up for our youth as well as meeting the basic needs of people in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties, so all can thrive.

Among the many initiatives we are working on is completing our Strategic Plan for communities in Northeast Arizona. Historically an economically challenged area, the region has faced a reduction in jobs due to power plant closures, as well as a dramatic increase in population, which has led to a shortage of affordable housing, increased rental costs, and increased needs.

A Northeast Representative will begin work in 2024 to serve as the local point of contact for a region that includes the towns of Winslow, Holbrook, Snowflake-Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Springerville, Eagar, St. Johns, and Concho.

Time is Running Out to Make a Year-End, Tax-Deductible Donation to United Way

Time is running out.

There are only a few more days to Step Up for Our Youth and Our Community in 2023 and invest in proven programs and services in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties by donating to United Way of Northern Arizona.

This Sunday will be the last day to make a tax-deductible gift for 2023. And for those of you who are retired, it will be the last day to use donations to meet the required minimum distribution on your 401K or rollover IRA and avoid paying taxes on those monies.

When you give to the United Way, you are not donating to just one organization. You are contributing to a network of collaborative regional partners, providing them with an ongoing funding source that gives them the stability to continue their programs today and grow them tomorrow.

Plus you have the confidence of knowing that your money will be going where it will have the most impact. Our team of Community Investment volunteers reviews each grant application for programs to ensure your dollars are well spent.

As 2023 winds down, please consider a donation to UWNA and join us in living United in Purpose.

THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Make Your Year-End Donation Today HERE