The 2014 Campus Community Impact Campaign for the Heart of Missouri United Way (HMUW) kicked off Sept. 12 on Carnahan Quadrangle.
The University of Missouri/University of Missouri System campaign event featured talks by Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin and UM System President Tim Wolfe, both of whom are honorary chairs in the campaign.
Betsy Rodriguez, UM System vice president of human resources, is the 2014 UM/MU campaign tri-chair.
Traditionally, the National United Way and other nonprofit social organizations measured success by output: counting how many homeless families were sheltered, or how many hungry people were fed. Community Impact, now in its third year at HMUW, uses data analysis and outcome goals to measure a program’s success.
The focus is on four areas:
• education — helping children succeed in school
• income — increasing financial stability and workforce readiness
• health — improving health awareness
• safety net — providing immediate emergency needs
Community Impact is not only about feeding and clothing low-income central Missourians. The model also aims to break the poverty cycle by helping children and teenagers of low-income households succeed. The model promotes education that leads to better jobs and a more healthful lifestyle.
With UM/MU support in 2013, “the United Way saw measurable, positive results over the past year,” said HMUW Executive Director Tim Rich.
- 62 percent reduction in the use of illegal drugs by adolescent participants in the area of health services
- 66 percent reduction in suicidal thoughts by adolescent participants
- 1,500 children receiving weekly food-filled Buddy Packs
- 59 youth with disabilities achieving a 97 percent improvement in transitional skills
- 10,640 students receiving dental health services
- 24,752 individuals receiving needed food assistance
To review a full report of the 2013 Community Impact results, visit www.uwheartmo.org. To make a pledge to the campaign, visit http://www.unitedway.missouri.edu.