NEWS & NOTES

From United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

It's Volunteer Season!

At United Way, we love connecting you with fun and meaningful opportunities to give back. This summer and fall, join us for one (or more!) of our favorite volunteer opportunities:

Backpack Coalition

Help United Way’s Backpack Coalition collect, pack, and distribute nearly 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to local students across Milwaukee and Waukesha.

Donate, run a supply drive, or shop for goodies during Fill the Bus Milwaukee and Waukesha.

Sort donations at our backpack warehouse or...

Hand out backpacks on distribution day.

Project Homeless Connect – now expanded to Waukesha County!

Project Homeless Connect brings together resources and service providers under one roof to better support those experiencing homelessness... and it couldn’t happen without our volunteers.

Sign up to volunteer as a Guest Advocate at Project Homeless Connect in Milwaukee and/or Waukesha.

Are you (or do you know) a barber or hairdresser? Help our guests look and feel their best at Project Homeless Connect Milwaukee and/or Waukesha.

Can’t make the event or looking to help now? Host a supply drive to collect cold weather gear and sleeping bags or purchase an item from our Amazon Wish List.

Men’s & Women’s Job Seminars

These popular annual events focus on providing job readiness skills and resources like resume-building, interviewing, and networking to local men and women. Skilled volunteers are needed to help our guests enhance their skills and build confidence for their job hunt or career change.

Sign up as an interview coach or resume coach for the Success Starts Here! Men’s Job Seminar.

Save the date for the Milwaukee Women’s Job Seminar on November 14.

United Way’s Fall Season of Caring

Season of Caring is an effort connecting local workplaces and thousands of individuals to meaningful, one-day, one-time volunteer opportunities throughout our four county region. Gather your team and browse volunteer opportunities today!

Looking for more? Check out United Way’s Volunteer page for hundreds of ways to give back and get involved.

Meet Ramona!

Though she had lived in Milwaukee for several decades after moving from Puerto Rico, Ramona often felt lonely and depressed.

Then she found the United Community Center, which offers programs for seniors that foster socialization and independence. United Way funding supports these programs.

"It changed my life," said Ramona.

Read the full (and adorable) story here.

Have you been helped by a United Way-funded program? We want to hear your story! Email Katie at kkuhn@unitedwaygmwc.org.

We couldn’t do what we do without... Samantha Mitchell

At United Way, we are blessed with a passionate and committed team who go above and beyond every day to help those in need in our community. But a lot of our team works behind the scenes...

Meet Samantha Mitchell. We talked to Samantha about her work, background, and the simple thing she does to help her feel her best at work.

What do you do at United Way and how does it help us fulfill our mission?
As a member of the Individual Engagement team, I manage our diversity and inclusion initiatives like Partnership MKE, Project LEAD, and the Diversity Leadership Society. I am charged with leading our external diversity efforts that promote equity, inclusion, and advancement while engaging a diverse and prominent pool of donors and volunteers.

How long have you been at United Way? How did you start and what has been your journey here?
I’ve been at United Way close to two years now. I started as a Project Coordinator working under one of the best leaders EVER who really allowed me to maximize my leadership skills. I’m learning and growing daily, and feel my current role has and will continue to set me up for success and advancement as I dive deeper into diversity work.

What is a moment in your time at UW that stands out?
Probably being promoted. Long story short, I was unemployed after being laid off in 2014, and only landing contract work from late 2015 to fall of 2017. I've worked hard to bounce back and I'm really grateful the opportunity came when it did. In October, I'll be celebrating two years at United Way, which will be two years of permanent, full-time work (after nearly 4 years of underemployment). It's a big deal... to me at least.

What is your favorite way to volunteer/give back?
Mostly being hands on! I love service and being out in the community.

What is your personal key to success?
Going to bed at 9:30pm.