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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Blog Categories- Agency Partners
- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health

March 24, 2020
People are finding themselves working from home without the right technology. Digital Bridge is providing technology to low-income families and nonprofits.
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Blog Categories- IT United
- Technology United

March 18, 2020
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to develop, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s local nonprofit partners are experiencing increased demand for emergency food, medical equipment, cleaning supplies, and staff time.
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March 3, 2020
At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, we are proud to support veterans in our community.
In December of 2018, United Way made a $15,000 grant to the Wisconsin Veterans Network, also known as “VetsNet,” to support their work with veterans living in Waukesha County.
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From left: Linda Benfield, Amy Lindner, and Cory Nettles
February 28, 2020
On Thursday, February 27, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and hundreds of community partners gathered at Downtown Kitchen in the U.S. Bank building for our Annual Meeting. This event allows United Way donors and volunteers get the latest data on their investment, hear stories of community change they made possible, and celebrate our award winners.
Thank you to Baker Tilly, our longtime Annual Meeting sponsor.
In case you missed it, here are some exciting updates from the 2020 United Way Annual Meeting:
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From left: James Mathy, Cory Nettles, David Michalski, Paula Penebaker, and Eric Collins-Dyke
March 2, 2020
On Thursday, February 27, we announced the winners of several awards at the United Way Annual Meeting. Learn more about these incredible community change-makers below.
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DeVona Wright Cottrell
February 25, 2020
During Black History Month and all year long, we celebrate local individuals who are paving the way for the next generation of community leaders of color. Looking to get involved and make a difference? Learn more about the work of United Way's Diversity Leadership Society, Boys & Men of Color initiative, and work in Reducing Barriers to Employment for local, diverse individuals.
Attorney DeVona Wright Cottrell knows the importance of mentorship in helping young people of color succeed.
“I knew since middle school that I wanted to be a lawyer but I wasn’t sure how to get there,” recalls DeVona. “I didn’t know any lawyers.”
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February 13, 2020
In 2019, United Way and community partners announced a goal: end family homelessness in our community by 2025. The community responded by giving generously to this new initiative and those dollars are already hard at work making lasting change in our community.
Donations to United Way’s Community Fund also support this work by funding local emergency shelters, food pantries, and urgent needs.
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Chef Deborah Spriggs-Ross (L) with friend and mentor Thelma Sias
February 18, 2020
During Black History Month and all year long, we celebrate local individuals who are paving the way for the next generation of community leaders of color. Looking to get involved and make a difference? Learn more about the work of United Way's Diversity Leadership Society, Boys & Men of Color initiative, and work in Reducing Barriers to Employment for local, diverse individuals.
Chef Deborah Spriggs-Ross trusted her gut when it told her she should be her own boss.
“I knew that if I came out of culinary school and worked for a male chef, making $8 an hour, I would not have the same story,” says Deborah.
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Simplistic B.S.C, a local beauty business, hosting a table at the 2019 Recycle the Black Dollar event.
February 4, 2020
One of the most powerful decisions we make each day is where to spend our money. From delicious food to beautiful jewelry to expert wellness coaching, our community has tons of ways for you to support Black-owned businesses during #BlackHistoryMonth and all year long.
Feel good about where your dollar is going by checking out these local, diverse businesses.
Notice a business missing from this list? Let us know by filling out this form.
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January 30, 2020
Written by Meghan Marsden Parsche, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County volunteer blogger
Food is not only a basic human need, it is a source of comfort and an important part of social connectivity and human bonding. So for members of the community experiencing food insecurity, how and where they access food is important.
This is one of the driving philosophies for Friedens Community Ministries, Milwaukee’s largest network of food pantries and a longtime United Way partner.
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2019 Campaign Co-chairs: Cecelia Gore, Blake Moret, George Oliver, and Mike Flynn
December 12, 2019
Thank you to all who donated and volunteered in 2019!
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December 9, 2019
Henry Monaco knew the value of the word “community.” As a past president of United Way of Greater Milwaukee for 13 years, and 29 years of service at United Way, Henry knew that there was power in bringing people to together to make a difference in the lives of so many in our neighborhoods.
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Blog Categories- Education
- Financial Stability
- Health