United Way of Southeast Minnesota

? Happy #WomensHistoryMonth from United Way of Southeast Minnesota! ?? We'll highlight some remarkable local women throughout this month. To start, meet Maude Finch: the first recording secretary of the Rochester Community Chest and a role model for our community. ?? Nearly 100 years ago, she promptly donated her $20 in wages for clerical services back to the Community Chest. Her simple actions then, as now, serve as an example of giving back to make a difference in our community. These actions also made her the namesake of United Way's Women United Maude Finch Award, which recognizes a community woman whose service or achievements are outstanding examples of living united to advance the common good in our community by giving, advocating, and/or volunteering service to United Way or our partners. #UnitedWay #UnitedIsTheWay #SEMinnesota

Ramadan Mubarak from United Way of Southeast Minnesota! ?? This evening marks the beginning of #Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims. Part of Ramadan celebrations include iftars, or fast-breaking meals. Pamoja Women, a United Way partner, hosts an Annual Iftar, open to the community! This year's event will take place Friday, March 7 at 6:30pm at the Historic Chateau Theater in Rochester. Learn more and register to attend Pamoja Women's Annual Iftar at https://lnkd.in/gdkGRUtm #UnitedWay #SEMinnesota #UnitedIsTheWay

?? Between 2021 and 2023, United Way of Southeast Minnesota implemented a participatory grantmaking process to give Black and African American community members in Olmsted County the space to determine how best to invest in their community. This process resulted in a three-year Youth Empowerment grant to six local Black-led organizations. ?? Read more about this process at https://lnkd.in/g44uRNfs, and learn about our Youth Empowerment grantees at https://lnkd.in/g_6rq4bP #UWCentennial #100Years100Moments #UnitedWay #UnitedIsTheWay #SEMinnesota

We recently shared a blog post reflecting on some of the local impact we've made over the past century: ?? Legacy of Community Investment and Leadership ?? Responsive to Crises and Emerging Needs ?? Strengthening Youth and Education ?? Fostering Partnerships for Greater Impact ?? Championing Equity and Inclusion Learn more about our work in each of these areas at https://lnkd.in/gVHKDbrn ??: 1970s United Way Campaign poster #UnitedWay #SEMinnesota #UnitedIsTheWay #UWCentennial . . . [Alt text: Gradient text from blue to red to yellow that reads: Thanks to you it works...for all of us. Old United Way logo.]

?? As we move through our centennial year, we're reflecting on our local impact over the past 100 years and the ways we want to continue bringing innovative solutions to challenging problems for the next 100 years. Stay tuned for exciting developments in the coming months! #UnitedWay #SEMinnesota #UnitedIsTheWay

? As we look back on the past century, Karen Mathison is one figure who stands out. Karen Mathison first became involved with United Way of Southeast Minnesota (at the time, United Way of Olmsted County) in 2002 as President & CEO and served through 2012. She brought Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to Olmsted County (and met Dolly Parton!), mobilized volunteers for flood relief in SE Minnesota along with securing more than $645K in long-term recovery efforts. Under her leadership, the United Way’s Women’s United was formed along with the Annual Maude Finch Award. Today, Karen continues to advocate for her community through her work in the nonprofit sector in Moorhead, MN. ?? "United Way’s most important contribution to the community is its ability to convene people together from all areas of community and solve the issues that can’t be solved by one organization, “ Karen shared. “United Way serves as a ladder and a net. It helps people move themselves up, climb the ladder, and it catches people should they fall.” #UnitedWay #UWCentennial #UnitedIsTheWay #SEMinnesota

?? In 2021, United Way of Southeast Minnesota engaged nearly 2,000 Minnesotans in a 21-Day Equity Challenge. This activity created a shared opportunity for learning, action, and growth. Stay tuned for more moments from our history during our centennial year! ?? #UWCentennial #100Years100Moments #UnitedWay #UnitedIsTheWay #SEMinnesota

?? Last week, Pastor Andre Crockett unveiled Minnesota’s first interactive Black History Kiosk at University of Minnesota-Rochester's Student Intercultural Center! We're proud to amplify this initiative of our partner Barbershop and Social Services. #SEMinnesota #UnitedIsTheWay #BlackHistory

?? Happy #PresidentsDay from United Way of Southeast Minnesota! This holiday is generally considered to honor former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. However, it's sometimes understood to celebrate the birthdays of all US presidents. #UnitedWay #SEMinnesota #UnitedIsTheWay

?? #100Years100Moments: June McCormick’s Story (2012) “The United Way, Hawthorne, RCTC welding program...has changed my life dramatically," June, a Job Skills Training Collaborative Partnership Participant, shared in a story featured in United Way of Southeast Minnesota's 2013 Annual Report. "Before this program I was homeless, had legal problems, lived on the streets, didn’t know where I was going, didn’t have no outlook for the future...Now I have full time employment. I got my finances in order.” ??: June and other Job Skills Training Collaborative Partnership Participants holding their certificates. Stay tuned for more stories from our 100 years of local impact in the weeks and months to come! ?? #UWCentennial #UnitedWay #UnitedIsTheWay #SEMinnesota