Please wait while we gather your results.
May 13, 2020
Written by Colleen Foley, Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee
The goal of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Safe & Stable Homes initiative is to end family homelessness. A major contributor to family homelessness and housing instability in our community is eviction. While COVID-19 eviction moratoria and related public funding have provided relief, evictions nonetheless continue at a steady pace. And data from the last several pre-pandemic years show nearly 14,000 annual eviction filings in Milwaukee County alone.
>>Continue Reading
May 5, 2020
At United Way, we know that mental health support is key to ensuring everyone in our community can live a healthy and successful life.
Mental health support is at the core of every program and initiative at Meta House, which is funded in part by donations to United Way.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Homelessness
- Technology United
March 3, 2020
Recently, Katie Kuhn sat down with Samantha Mitchell, engagement manager of diversity and inclusion initiatives at United Way. Samantha spoke about how the Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement initiative, championed by the Diversity Leadership Society, adapted to the changes of the past year and found new and innovative ways to connect local individuals with meaningful employment opportunities. Samantha also celebrated the success of the 2020 Men's Job Seminar, which went virtual and had greater participation than ever before. Click the image above to hear the full conversation.
Learn more about the Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement initiative and United Way's Diversity Leadership Society.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Homelessness
- Technology United
Image: United Way funding supports free tax preparation services across the community.
March 24, 2020
The 2020 tax season has presented its own unique set of challenges. Due to COVID-19 precautions, many free tax preparation sites closed their doors and funding for these essential services has gone down.
At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, we know that access to key financial resources like free tax preparation can make a huge difference for individuals and families struggling to achieve financial stability. That’s why we fund free tax preparation, including Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs, in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties.
>>Continue Reading
March 3, 2020
Recently, United Way's Katie Kuhn sat down with Shannon Reed, director of innovative startegies for boys and men of color, to talk about this exciting initiative. Shannon reflected on a year of adaptation and growth in 2020 and looked forward, sharing what the community can expect from this initiative in 2021.
Learn more about the Boys & Men of Color initiative at United Way by clicking here.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Homelessness
- Technology United
Image: Two people joining hands. At United Way, we are proud of our strong partnerships with local nonprofits.
February 15, 2020
Black History is Milwaukee history, it’s Wisconsin history, it’s United Way history. This month and all year long, we celebrate and reflect on the significant achievements of African American individuals and organizations in our local community. At United Way we are fortunate to partner with local nonprofits with a rich history of serving Milwaukee’s communities of color. These organizations and the incredible individuals who lead them honor their rich legacies every day by continuing to fight for what’s right: a just, equitable, and thriving community for everyone in it. These are their stories.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Homelessness
- Technology United
Image: Milwaukee's Social Development Commission provides free tax preparation services, supported in part by United Way.
February 18, 2020
At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, financial stability is a core focus of our funding and volunteer efforts. That’s why we make grants each year to fund free tax preparation services at the Social Development Commission (SDC) in Milwaukee (seen in these pictures) and La Casa de Esperanza in Waukesha.
A major focus of these free tax preparation services is ensuring eligible families receive the appropriate tax credits. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), aimed at working households with low- to moderate income, is proven to have lifelong health, education and income benefits for children in households that receive it. However, data shows that one in five eligible households miss out on this benefit each year.
>>Continue Reading
Image: Deanna Singh's sons sitting side by side. Zion (left) and Zephaniah inspired Deanna to writer her own children's books.
February 10, 2020
Written by Meghan Parsche, volunteer blogger for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Deanna Singh’s journey to becoming an author began as a letter to her multiracial sons, filled with positive messages to encourage and empower them in a world full of negative images of Black and Brown boys. When she searched for books to help reinforce her message, she was disappointed to come up empty-handed. That’s when “I am a Boy of Color” was born.
>>Continue Reading
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County today announced key community initiatives that will be supported by a generous $25 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
“We are so proud to say that after all of her research, Ms. Scott chose our United Way for her donation,” said Amy Lindner, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. “This is a powerful affirmation of the work that is being done by community volunteers, our partner nonprofits, businesses, and individuals throughout our community. It’s because of our work together, MacKenzie Scott chose us to receive this incredible gift.”
>>Continue Reading
February 3, 2021
Angela Adams has been named the 2020 Linda McFerrin African American Nonprofit Leadership Award winner.
Known for her ability to deliver results that matter, Angela is an experienced corporate and community leader motivated by serving people. As corporate communications and diversity officer for Goodwill Industries of SE WI and Metro Chicago, Angela is leading the organization’s strategy for corporate communications and community engagement, as well as guiding its diversity, equity and inclusion journey. Angela is a committed community volunteer serving on the board of directors for Froedtert Hospital, Carmen Schools, African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee and is a dedicated member of the Milwaukee (WI) Chapter of The Links, Inc. A military wife and mother, Angela was recognized with the Wisconsin National Guard Partnership Award for 20+ years of service to military families.
We asked Angela a few questions about herself, including what receiving this recognition means to her.
>>Continue Reading
January 20, 2020
Written by Meghan Parsche, volunteer blogger for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
This week we celebrate the legacy of influential civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. The holiday presents an excellent opportunity to have a discussion with the kids in your life about race, yet many adults have no idea where to begin.
>>Continue Reading
January 26, 2020
Diversity. Equity...and inclusion. These words seem to be on the minds of leaders in every company, regardless of the industry. While organizations are attempting to create a better workplace culture for their employees, a term often lost in the weeds is dignity. Dignity is the right to be valued, treated with respect, and ultimately allowing a person to maintain a sense of pride and self-worth through various interactions. Dignity is a concept that exists within the intersections of diversity, equity, and inclusion
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Homelessness
- Technology United
December 22, 2020
During this time of reflection, a lot of us are looking back on a year more challenging than any of us could have imagined.
Annually, United Way provides funding to hundreds of local programs that run the gamut from early childhood education to disabilities services to employment support to food security. In a normal year their work is astounding, and this year, when both need and uncertainty were higher than ever, our local nonprofit partners showed us all what it means to serve our community.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Homelessness
- Technology United
December 15, 2020
Written by Karissa Gretebeck, manager of corporate volunteerism and engagement at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Let’s be honest – this year has been hard. For so many across our community, the last few months have been riddled with loss, grief, overwhelming change, and ongoing uncertainty about what the future holds.
>>Continue Reading
Donated laptops in action at Pathfinders' youth shelter.
November 20, 2020
Virtual learning is challenging enough. For youth experiencing homelessness, finding the time and resources to attend school remotely is even harder.
United Way’s Techquity initiative provides resources like laptops, tablets, wifi hotspots, and tech accessories to those who need it most. In 2020, one of the priorities of Techquity was to connect youth experiencing homelessness with the tech they need to attend school.
>>Continue Reading
Octboer 7, 2020
Change. It’s the one word we all got to know a little bit better in 2020.
COVID19 has impacted all of our lives, but many members of our community were already struggling before the pandemic hit. Issues like housing instability, living paycheck to paycheck, and navigating serious health concerns were only amplified by COVID19. And the need keeps growing.
>>Continue Reading
September 28, 2020
At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, we know that families cannot thrive without a safe and stable place to live. We also know that issues like homelessness and housing instability disproportionately affect People of Color in our community.
>>Continue Reading
August 11, 2020
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County is proud to support Community Schools, an initiative to transform schools into places where parents, teachers, staff, and neighborhoods can work together to ensure success for every student.
In Milwaukee there are 12 Community Schools. Each Community School may use different strategies and activities to improve its school and community, but all share three guiding practices: shared leadership, equity, and cultural relevance.
>>Continue Reading
July 21, 2020
Each year, United Way's Emerging Leaders honor five community leaders in their 20s, 30s and 40s who give, advocate and volunteer for change through the Philanthropic 5 Awards. The Philanthropic Youth award recognizes a youth community leader under 21 years old. Thank you to our longtime event sponsor, BMO Harris Bank, and our media sponsor, the Milwaukee Business Journal!
Meet our 2020 award winners: Mary Ferwerda, Ashely Hines, Sean Lowe, Lindsey & John Muchka, Brandon Tschacher and Philanthropic Youth winner Britny Helmrich.
>>Continue Reading
Gerry Coon (L) and Casey Renn
June 29, 2020
June is Pride Month, celebrating the dignity, equality, and visibility of all in the LGBTQ+ community. At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, we are honored to partner with and support local organizations fighting for a healthier, safer, and more equitable community for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
>>Continue Reading
Yolanda on the phone at IMPACT 2-1-1 in January 2020
June 15, 2020
Donations to United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County help local people access life-saving resources.
Yolanda is a Community Resources Specialist with IMPACT 2-1-1, a hotline and online portal for people in need to access resources. Yolanda and her team are the first points of contact for individuals calling for help.
>>Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County supports programs that help local families achieve their financial goals.
For Raymond, a local firefighter and father of four, tax season used to be stressful.
>>Continue Reading
June 3, 2020
Written by Amy Lindner, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
It has been over one week since the murder of George Floyd. A death that followed the police killing of Breonna Taylor and others whose names we know and don’t. I’ve finally had a chance to sit down, collect my thoughts, and attempt to wrap my head around this horrific event.
>>Continue Reading
May 27, 2020
Written by Nicole Angresano, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.
I have been in my role with United Way for over 13 years, and I’ve got to tell you—I thought I had seen it all. Natural disasters and economic downturns—these are things you prepare for in philanthropy.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Volunteer
May 10, 2020
The United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County team embraces any opportunity to give back in creative ways.
COVID-19 has created a lot of unique challenges for nonprofits, and the American Red Cross is no exception. Due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations, equalling hundreds of thousands of blood donations lost across the country, they are more in need of donors than ever before.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Volunteer
April 20, 2020
Here’s another great reason to consider a gift to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund:
The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), signed into law on March 27, provides additional incentives for those looking to give charitably during the 2020 tax year.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Volunteer
April 6, 2020
With children at home, an service project can be a great addition to your day’s activities. However, the health and safety of your family and others are extremely important, so be sure to stay safe avoid touching and sharing items that you’ve touched with others outside your home.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health
- Volunteer
March 30, 2020
Written by Nicole Angresano, Vice President of Community Impact
United Way’s Board of Directors has approved a temporary measure to give our nonprofit agency partners more flexibility in how they spend the dollars allocated to them by United Way.
>>Continue Reading
Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health