United Way serves to better people’s lives

So much has changed since we began our work in 1942. Nearly 75 years ago, a Nevada State Journal (the local Reno/Sparks newspaper at the time) editorial suggested the time was ripe to establish a nonprofit organization to ensure local residents’ welfare and wellbeing during World War II. A committee from various associations and service groups embraced this concept and met at the local Reno Chamber of Commerce.

Still reeling from the impact of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, on Oct. 29, 1942, the Reno Community and War Chest was officially established. The organization was formed to assist the United States of America’s efforts as well as families on the home front affected as a result of able-bodied Reno men that were deployed and powerless to support their families and homes.

We have evolved over the years to become the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS). UWNNS is one of nearly 1,200 United Ways in the United States and 1,800 worldwide in 41 countries. As part of the United Way global system, UWNNS works locally to address the most pressing issues that affect the quality of life in our communities in Reno, Sparks, northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin.

UWNNS has recently identified one clear goal for the organization connected to bettering the lives of people throughout our region. In 2014, the UWNNS Board of Directors went through a significant direction-setting process across the 13 Nevada counties that we serve. The UWNNS Board had realized that the organization would need to change from simply how do we raise and allocate money, to what do we need to do to achieve the greatest positive impact for our people. The direction-setting process identified an overarching focus issue or strategic goal upon which to set the future direction and the UWNNS’s message of hope and impact. This process resulted in a complete transformation of UWNNS’s former business model. It was determined that stabilizing families and linking people with needed services would continue to be the core mission of the UWNNS, and were less issues than core activities of the organization. Following an extensive review of the entire direction-setting process, UWNNS’s Board of Directors determined that the UWNNS Focus Issue would be: children read proficiently at grade level by 2020.

During implementation of this focus issue, we recognized that there is a “ripple effect” with grade level reading. There is a direct, proven relationship between third grade reading scores and high school graduation rates. High school graduation is fundamental to success in life and a key factor to improving our state’s economy.

UWNNS is uniquely positioned to do something about this important issue. UWNNS is much more than a traditional “fundraiser;” we are about change. We bring people and groups together to jointly tackle critical issues, and look for new ways to approach them. Moving forward, UWNNS is building relationships across sectors with the right people, organizations and businesses that have the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done — bringing all of this to bear on the critical issue of grade level reading.

Thanks to generous financial support from our community members, in May 2015 the UWNNS Board distributed $500,000 in grant funds to select partnerships that are committed to achieve our grade level reading goals. Visit the United Way “Map of Action” at uwnns.org to learn more about this important work. And in 2016, it is projected that UWNNS will reach its goal of $100 million raised in northern Nevada since 1942.

We are very proud to continue to serve our region by concentrating our efforts to solve community and region-wide issues. We ask you to join us in making a lasting difference through giving and volunteering. One of the easiest ways to begin to help is to learn about ways to get involved by contacting us at 775-322-8668.

For example, you could join other UWNNS Community Impact volunteers that work together to address the most pressing issues that affect the quality of life in our community. Their conscientious efforts and decisions are driven by a commitment to make a real difference in the community we share and serve.

There are a variety of other ways that we engage volunteers in our education goals. We have helped to connect volunteer readers with students that need assistance, conducted school supply drives, book drives and more.

One great way that has become a popular volunteer project is to create Little Libraries to help your neighborhood discover the joy of reading. Little Libraries are hand-crafted structures that contain constantly changing collections of books. The libraries are placed throughout your community for the use of children and their family and is based on the “take a book, leave a book” philosophy. By putting one of these Little Libraries in your neighborhood, you are helping us to get children excited about reading.

We invite you to participate! Your contribution of time, talent, and finances to United Way enhances individual lives and improves our entire community by helping children and youth reach their potential. Your contribution provides not only the basic necessities to people in need, but also helps to move them to financial security and independence. Your contribution helps people of all ages reach their optimal health and well-being. Please visit uwnns.org or call today at 775-322-8668 to volunteer and give!

Karen Barsell is CEO and president of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra.