Campaign Brochure

This is Emily

Emily

All she needs is your cup of coffee.

The cost of your drive-thru coffee, just once a month, will keep her safe at night.

I’m ready to make a Donation. Click Here

What is United Way all about, anyway? Your local United Way Connects Caring People … to Localcharities …   through Community Donations

It’s about improving the lives of those in your community for over 75 years.  It’s about helping you support a wide range of community charities.  Or, if you wish, one specific organization.

Today, through the generosity of over 2,000 people like you, over 30 local charities, organizations, and schools across Wexford and Missaukee Counties received funding to help over 4,500 neighbors in need.

How does my contribution help?  Here are some True-life Stories of real people, right here at home.  Click Here

How can I Help?

Round Up Your Change.

Send the change from your credit or debit card transactions to United Way. Click Here

Payroll Deduction. 

You choose the amount and it’s deducted from your paycheck, each pay period.  Ask your boss.  Many businesses offer this option to employees.  If yours does not, contact United Way and we’ll set it up. Click Here

Monthly donation. 

This is as simple as auto pay, like you may have setup to pay a utility bill. Click Here

One time donation.

Use our donation page to make a one time donation. Click Here  

Online Banking.

Contact your bank or credit union. They can help you setup your account to automatically send a donation to United Way on a schedule that suits your budget. Remember, you’re in control. You are in complete control with any payments option.  At any time you can stop payments, or adjust them up or down. 

Do I have a choice where my donations goes?  Yes!   Choose from:

Why do I need United Way?  United Way is your pipeline to hundreds of charities and organizations … and we make it easy.  You don’t need to remember to mail your gift.  There are no monthly checks to write, and no postage to buy.  And since it’s spread out over time, it’s affordable.  Your gift will make a significant impact on the lives you wish to help.

I’d like to donate, but can somebody else figure out who gets how much? Click Here
How your donations were invested. Click Here
Click here for printable version. Click Here
Contact Us
United Way of Wexford Missaukee Counties
421 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI  49601
email: Pat@HelpOthersNow.org
email: Rkrannitz@HelpOthersNow.org
(231) 775-3753

TRUE LIFE STORIES

Love Inc.A young working mother called Love INC. for help.  Pregnant and diagnosed with a heart condition, she was hospitalized.  Being off work for an extended period of time, she received a shut-off notice from the utility company.  Love INC. stepped in to help cover her utilities.  Today she’s back to work and looking to “Pay it Forward” to help someone else. 

Catholic Human ServicesFoster Grandparents serve as volunteers in the classroom.  A teacher recently said, “My Foster Grandparent has really made an impact in the life of one of my fourth grade student’s.  At the beginning of the year he couldn’t get any work completed.  Now he’s doing so much better. The foster Grandparent sits and encourages him.  She is genuinely concerned.  Now he’s working hard, caring more, and even attends after school support programs.  It’s wonderful to see the children return to class with their work completed, a smile on their face, and a spring in their step.”

Cooperative MinistryA young couple came to Cooperative Ministry in need of assistance.  Everything they owned fit in their old car.  Though homeless, they were seeking help to get jobs.  What they received was temporary shelter in the form of a tent, a phone card, and some food.  Within a week, jobs were found for both of them.  Cooperative Ministry continued to provide support.  The couple has moved on to better jobs that provide higher wages, and are now self-sufficient.  They have returned the tent and are living in a small home.  They still drive their old beater, but are hoping soon to afford a newer car.

Friends Ministry

At Friends Ministry, our Self-sufficiency training works to give low-income individuals and families a way to get assistance they need, while maintaining their dignity.  For every bill we pay for someone, the recipient is required to work at Friends Farm.  Steve is one of these people.  He says, “I was very excited to have an opportunity to work at Friends Farm.  The Farm was a place to learn about gardening and I was able to pay towards my electric bill.  For the first time, I felt like a man of my household and have more confidence to work toward my goals.”

Friends Ministry Car RepairRandy had been staying at the New Hope Center in Cadillac while his foot healed.  He’s now able to get around, but needed help with his driver’s license renewal and some car repairs.  He said, ”Friends Ministry helped me and I was able to apply for a truck driving job.  Now I’m working to move out of the homeless shelter.  I now have hope for a better future.  Thank you.”

Manton Senior CenterThe Manton Senior Center has become “my home away from home.”  As a widow with no family nearby, I look forward to the friendly smiles and fellowship, and especially the delicious, home-cooked meals.  This is often our major meal for my day.  There are always many seniors gathered and sharing good times.  We were recently reminded the center is supported by United Way donors. I would like to thank all the United Way donors for their support.

New Hope CenterRecently a mother and her 3-year-old daughter who had been staying at our women’s shelter moved into permanent housing.  They had been living in a very toxic, stressful environment with extended family.  The mom has a disability and came to the shelter with a number of challenges that needed to be addressed before she could obtain housing.  During her time here, with our assistance and guidance, she resolved each of those barriers and accomplished all that was required of her to obtain an apartment.  She finally achieved her goal of permanent, stable housing for her and her daughter.

Oasis Family ServicesWe recently helped a father who was a victim of domestic violence.   The OASIS Shelter staff guided and supported this father of two, while the OASIS Home Visitor acted as his advocated.  We continue to provide guidance as he works through the many complex personal, legal and single parenting issues.  With United Way donor funding, OASIS is able to provide services to families like this when they don’t meet the exacting requirements of state funders.  It is our commit to fill in the gaps that other programming cannot fill.  United Way donors support our programs and help the families we serve.

Imagination LibraryThe Imagination Library program is currently mailing over 2,000 books each month to area children.  Over 100,000 books have been distributed since the program began over seven years ago.  By investing in Imagination Library our community invests in our next generation and distinguishes itself as a place which values education. This makes our communities a better place to live and raise a family.


Community Fund

The United Way’s Community Fund is for local specific programs.  The United Way Citizen Review Panel, made up of dedicated volunteers, review each program and interview the agencies.  United Way then awards grants based upon the Citizen Review Panel’s recommendations. Most donors choose to contribute to the United Way Community Fund.  Local agencies apply for these funds to support their specific programs.  A United Way Citizen Review Panel, made up of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life, review these programs and interview the agencies.  United Way then awards grants to selected local agencies. [click back]

Direct your donation to almost any charity, near or far away.

After all, it’s your money, where would you like to help?  You’re in charge.  This is the only option where funding may go
outside Wexford or Missaukee Counties.  To qualify, it must be a human service organization and be tax exempt. [click back]

Another option is you may choose to fund one of three areas of emphasis.
  1. Basic Human Needs:  Nutritious meals, emergency assistance, victim services, homelessness, at-risk youth, food pantry, Back Pack program, and employment counseling.
  2. Education Outreach:  Tutoring, childcare, childhood literacy, student mentoring, financial stability, parenting classes, GED, self-sufficiency training.
  3. Healthcare Services: Senior companion program, free medication assistance, senior citizen programs, youth and family counseling, adults mentoring. [click back]

How your donations were invested.  The impact of Unite Way Donors across Wexford and Missaukee Counties.

How your donations were invested.