This is the second in a three-part series exploring UWSCMI’s recently adopted vision, mission and values. You can find them all in one place at unitedforscmi.org/vision-mission-values.
Part 1: Where We’re Going | Part 3: The Heart of it All
What does it take to fit a square peg in a round hole? When the answer means life or death, you bring together everyone and everything to figure it out.
In April 1970, an explosion aboard Apollo 13 left three astronauts stuck in a tiny lunar lander built for two. The life support system wasn’t up to the task of clearing all the carbon dioxide from the air. The crew had spare filters from the command module, but they were square. The lander used round ones.
That sparked an outstanding collective engineering effort back on Earth. Working together, dozens of experts came up with an unlikely gadget of hoses, cardboard, plastic bags and duct tape—all materials aboard the spacecraft. The astronauts copied the contraption, which scrubbed the air and saved their lives.
That same thinking holds the key to realizing United Way’s vision for strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving, and connected for the common good.
In short, it’s about all of us working together.
How Mission & Vision Connect
A vision describes what the future looks like. A mission statement explains the work needed to get there.
UWSCMI’s mission is this: We bring together the people, ideas and resources to lead with our communities and create a flourishing, equitable life for everyone.
Our mission statement reflects United Way’s strengths. While the details may change, United Way’s sweet spot has always been its ability to gather diverse partners who bring their own unique assets to the work—talent, innovative solutions, and resources in volunteers and finances.
Notice the phrase “…lead with…”. No single group or community holds the answer to poverty or hunger or homelessness or racism. The issues are too complex. But when we all come together, we can build communities where every person can flourish.
Our Path: How We Do It
One question we hear from time to time is, “What does United Way do?”
We have two ways to answer that question. First is our mission statement, which describes the general work of United Way in concert with partners. Next come the specifics, and that raises a companion statement called Our Path:
Our work lifts our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.
Both Our Mission and Our Path raise important elements of our work: collaboration and partnership, equity and anti-racism, focus on local communities, understanding and addressing financial instability (that is, ALICE), giving all people the chance to thrive.
Think in terms of a birthday cake. The vision is for a tasty cake. The mission describes what we do collectively to make that cake. The path statement is the recipe—what ingredients we bring and the steps we take in the process.
It’s time to get baking! Whether you choose to give, to advocate or to volunteer, we hope you’ll join us in the kitchen.