What is the United Way?
For more than 50 years, our United Way has brought people together to care for one another. We raise funds, mobilize volunteers, and help to strengthen agencies, identify critical and unmet needs in the community and help to build collaborations with the public and private sector to meet those needs.
Our mission:
The United Way for Spoon River Country improves the lives of those living
in our region by organizing and providing human and financial resources
that might not otherwise be available
Our Vision:
The United Way for Spoon River Country will continue to be a valuable resource
in Fulton County providing assistance to our friends and neighbors in need.
United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations
that work to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and
health. These are the building blocks for a good life: a quality education
that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement,
and good health The United Way for Spoon River Country funds nineteen local
service programs through ten partner agencies.
Education:
Through Education we help children and youth achieve their potential. Education
is the key to getting a good job, one with a good income and health care.
And it’s the key to our nation's productivity and global competitiveness.
Health and Safety Classes for Youth- Red Cross of America
Child Development Centers - YWCA
Preschool Programs - Canton Family YMCA
School Age Center - Canton Family YMCA
Boy Scouts of America Program - W.D. Boyce Council
Girl Scout Program - Fulton County Girl Scout Troops
Camping and Recreation - Canton Youth Acres
Income:
Through Income we promote financial stability and independence.
As many as one-third of working Americans do not earn enough money to meet
their basic needs. These individuals are walking a financial tightrope —
they are barely able to get by, with no ability to save for college, a home,
or for retirement. With your help, United Way is working to cut in half
the number of lower-income families who are financially unstable.
Free Financial Stability Workshops - United Way
Elderly Transportation Program - Red Cross of America
Disaster Assistance - Red Cross of America
Cooperative Services - Canton Family YMCA
Social Service Programs - Salvation Army
Uniform Program for Underprivileged Girls - Fulton County Girl Scouts
Health:
Through Health, we are challenging everyone to live a healthier,
happier life. We are working towards improving the health of our neighbors
in Fulton County. To achieve this goal requires us all to become more aware
of health risks and the potential effects they have on ourselves and others,
starting from before birth. And working to change policies and practices,
such as extending health care coverage, will enable more people to live
healthier lives.
Senior Counseling Services - Catholic Social Services
Family-Wize Prescription Discount Program - United Way
Domestic Violence-Crisis Intervention - Fulton-Mason Crisis Service
Fulton County Children’s Advocacy Center - Fulton-Mason Crisis
Service
Older Adult Services - Lunch with Friends - YWCA
Kamping and Recreational Experiences - K.A.R.E
Through those nineteen programs, the United Way for Spoon River Country
has assisted over 18,700 Fulton County Residents. Clearly, no other organization
helps so many people, in so many ways!
