Posts by Marc Daly
IMPACT! Hope in the Midst of a Pandemic
Some of the most at-risk people in Jackson County are living two weeks in the past. That’s not the premise of a science fiction story. It’s reality for those who struggle with addictions to opioids and other substances as the coronavirus pandemic grows. “These people are our friends and family members, and they are stuck,”…
Read MoreBecause That’s What We Do: A Snapshot of Jackson County’s Compassion
By Ken Toll One look at that photograph wiped away my fatigue and anxiety. Nine people stand in the neat, brightly lit lobby of a local hotel. One of them is in a wheelchair. Two or three, perhaps not fans of being photographed, look on warily. But the rest offer gleeful smiles. They were about…
Read MoreIMPACT! Action Changes a Teen’s Life
Teenage years should be full of fun, learning and growth as they prepare for adulthood. Sadly, for many it can be a time of crisis—and that can set them up for lifelong challenges. We partner with Do’chas in support of their crisis intervention strategies to help teens thrive. One particular program, Teens In Action, has…
Read MoreIMPACT! Bringing Tax Dollars Home
Imagine the impact on local families and the local economy when every resident gets the tax refund they deserve! Yet “doing your taxes” is stressful, confusing and time-intensive. For families struggling financially, that’s an added burden. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Community Action Agency to support Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. VITA deploys volunteer…
Read MoreIMPACT! Caring for Our Children
Nothing is more precious than our children. They’re the future of our community and of our world. They also require compassionate, stable care—and that often presents problems for working (or ALICE) families. When a child is sick or out of school due to vacation, for instance, the cost of emergency child care may go beyond…
Read MoreIMPACT! How Compassion Makes a Difference
Sometimes it takes just a little empathy for another person to make a profound and powerful difference. Among the champions of compassion in Jackson County are Trusted Advisors, part of the Great Start Collaborative led by Jackson County Intermediate School District with support from United Way. Here’s one example of how a little effort and…
Read MoreIMPACT! A Stable Home Changes a Life
Financial stability means stability in every element of a person’s life. United Way of Jackson County’s partnership with the Jackson Housing Commission and its Support Services transformed a local life in an amazing way. Here’s the story: “Michael” set his mind to buying a fixer-upper home so he and his family wouldn’t have to keep…
Read MoreIMPACT! Moving from Trauma to Educational Success
Trauma has a direct impact on a student’s ability to learn and succeed in school. They’re distracted in class, unable to study or do well on a test, and can have lower IQ scores and reading ability. In fact, some victims avoid school altogether. That’s where United Way funded programming through Family Service & Children’s…
Read MoreIMPACT! Empowering a Financially Stable Future
Giving people the tools they need to build their own financially stable futures is a key element of United Way’s work in Jackson County. We’re investing in Community Action Agency’s Financial Empowerment Program to do just that. Check out this recent success story: During a conversation with a CAA client who recently completed the online…
Read MoreIMPACT! Long-term Mentoring Changes Lives
None of us is born with all the knowledge and experience we need to succeed in life. At some point along the way, others teach and mentor us. Knowing this, United Way invests in site-based mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County, bringing Bigs right to the classroom, library, community center or other…
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