United Way of the Ozarks is dedicated to helping our community members get jobs, earn better incomes, and become self-sufficient. United Way of the Ozarks is sharpening our focus on upstream, root causes of social issues in our community. These efforts include striving to reduce … Read More
A life beyond paycheck-to-paycheck
By United Way of the Ozarks volunteer writer In early April 2022, Cijie Potts wanted to turn her life around, but she didn’t have the resources to make it happen. Her past hadn’t prepared her for a career. A single mom, she worked double shifts … Read More
Springfield Launches Missouri Apprentice Ready Program
United Way of the Ozarks Supports Workforce Development Programs The Missouri Apprentice Ready Program is a 5-week training course through the Missouri Works Initiative, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Missouri AFL-CIO. Through a collaborative partnership with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce … Read More
Innovative Thinking Headlines Community Investment Training
New fund supports nonprofits with an entrepreneurial and competitive spirit Our region’s challenges require new and innovative approaches. United Way of the Ozarks’ new Community Investment strategy includes a unique approach to addressing our community’s needs and emerging challenges. Starting this year, 10 percent of the … Read More
Rotarians and First Responders Pursue Inclusive Excellence
Members of Rotary Club of Springfield, Springfield Police Department and Springfield Fire Department recently made a one-day investment to improve where the live, work and play. In total, 63 members of the community attended two sessions of the United Academy for Inclusion and Belonging held … Read More
Connect the Dots: Reading for Community Success
In this month’s edition of Connect the Dots, United Way of the Ozarks and our partners discuss why developing reading skills at a young age is fundamental to a person’s success in school, work, and life. In the U.S., children who read proficiently by third … Read More
Connect the Dots: Fostering Inclusion and Belonging
At United Way of the Ozarks, we are dedicated to fighting for equality and justice for every individual in our community. As we continue to embrace the importance of diversity, we recognize that every person brings their own unique experiences and perspectives to our Ozarks … Read More
Connect the Dots: Be A Mentor
This year at United Way of the Ozarks, we’re working to Connect the Dots between you and your community. January is National Mentoring Month, so we want to highlight a few of our partners that provide creative, effective mentoring opportunities to local students. Having a mentor greatly increases … Read More
Connect the Dots: Education for All
by Tori Reaves, Marketing & Communications Intern Did you know that one of the best ways to reduce poverty is through education? One of our community-wide priorities is to improve educational opportunities for all students. We work towards this goal by connecting the dots … Read More
United Way of the Ozarks Allocates $22,000 to Community Partnership to Continue Sheltering Homeless
Funds include gift from BKD to support emerging community needs from pandemic United Way of the Ozarks approved an emergency allocation of $22,000 to Community Partnership of the Ozarks’ Merciful Nights campaign. These funds were donated to United Way from BKD’s special employee giving campaign … Read More