News and Events
United Way of Laramie County announces Dec 30 2011 campaign results
United Way of Laramie County’s 2011 Campaign co-chairs, Tim and Kathy Joannides and Phil Noble and Lynn Birleffi announced the results of the “Double Your Donation” special campaign. Cheyenne Regional Medical Center challenged the community with an initial $25,000 Double Your Donation challenge. Within a few days several other donors came together and joined CRMC to challenge the community by matching December donations up to $60,000. Those donors are: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, HollyFrontier, the Joannides Foundation, Town and Country Supermarket Liquors, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cameco Resources and Noble Energy.
Tim Joannides said “the community rose to the challenge from November 28th to December 30th raising an additional $175,195 from the matching campaign”
The 2011 contributions and pledges received so far are $1,128,737. Tim Joannides stressed that there are many contributions still coming in and this amount is not the final amount of the 2011 campaign.
Chris Allen, Resource Development Director for United Way of Laramie County stated, “This year’s campaign is finishing strong and exceeding our expectations. At time when many Americans are cautious about our economy, it was reassuring and heartwarming to see so many individuals and businesses here in Laramie County answer the special matching challenge.”
United Way’s Executive Director Connie Sloan Cathcart added: “We are very blessed to live in a community that recognizes the needs of those who are less fortunate. Our work to respond to immediate needs, to move families forward and to bring new problem solving programs forward has resonated around the community.” In March United Way will announce the final campaign total after the national campaign contributors have finalized their gifts to our local campaign.
In March of 2011 United Way of Laramie County announced a 2010 campaign total of $1,167,100.
Four Additional Corporate Donors Join the
Double Your Donation Matching funds challenge for United Way of Laramie County
[Cheyenne, WY, December 08, 2011] – United Way of Laramie County announces an additional $25,000 matching funds challenge, bringing the total matching funds to $50,000. On Nov 16th Cheyenne Regional Medical Center stepped forward to encourage the community to advance the common good. In an effort to end the year on a strong positive note, CRMC offered to match the first $25,000 in individual donations by December 31, 2011. CRMC has also challenged other corporate donors to join the matching campaign.
Today five additional corporate donors have accepted CRMC’s challenge. HollyFrontier has committed $10,000.00, Cameco Resources has pledged $5,000.00, Noble Energy and Cheyenne Frontier Days have pledged $2,500.00 each, and an anonymous donor has pledged up to $5,000.00.
“Last year United Way Program Partners needed more than $350,000 over what we were able to fund. For me, this is an incredible opportunity for anyone to have their gift to the less fortunate of Laramie County doubled and to really help meet the needs.” said Tim Joannides, 2011 co-chair. “Consider this as an invitation to pledge your gift to United Way of Laramie County and our vision of No One in Need.”
Approximately 26,000 people, nearly one-third of Laramie County residents, have used or are using, the services provided by a United Way of Laramie County program partner. United Way funds 21 program partners representing 29 different human service programs in Laramie County covering safety net & core services, prevention & development, and initiatives & collaboration. “In times of economic downturn, the need is always greater. “Each of our agencies can use even more help this year than last due to the increased need for their services,” said Steve Lovas, United Way Board president.
Agencies receiving United Way funding have applied through a grant application process. Funding is allocated in two-year cycles.
For information on how to donate, or the Call For Partners, call 638-8904 or visit us at www.UnitedWayofLaramieCounty.org.
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Offers
$25,000 in matching funds challenge for United Way of Laramie County
[Cheyenne, WY, November 16, 2011] – United Way of Laramie County announces a $25,000 matching funds challenge. Cheyenne Regional Medical Center understands the increasing needs of the community and they have stepped forward to encourage the community to advance the common good. In an effort to end the year on a strong positive note, CRMC has offered to match the first $25,000 in individual donations by December 31, 2011. CRMC has also challenged other corporate donors to join the matching campaign.
Dr. Phyllis Sherard of CRMC stated “We do understand the needs of our community, and this is an important part of our commitment to helping meet those needs”.
“For me, this is an incredible opportunity for anyone to have their gift to the less fortunate of Laramie County doubled. Those of us blessed with good fortune should dig even deeper this year,” said Tim Joannides, 2011 co-chair. “Consider this as an invitation to pledge your gift to United Way of Laramie County and our vision of No One in Need.”
“They don’t need us, we need them,” stated Phil Noble, 2011 co-chair, referring to the United Way Program Partners. “As our community continues to grow, so do the needs of our community. Imagine our community trying to survive without their help.”
Approximately 26,000 people, nearly one-third of Laramie County residents, have used or are using, the services provided by a United Way of Laramie County program partner. United Way funds 21 program partners representing 29 different human service programs in Laramie County covering safety net & core services, prevention & development, and initiatives & collaboration. “In times of economic downturn, the need is always greater. “Each of our agencies can use even more help this year than last due to the increased need for their services,” said Steve Lovas, United Way Board president.
Agencies receiving United Way funding have applied through a grant application process. Funding is allocated in two-year cycles.
For information on how to donate, or the Call For Partners, call 638-8904 or visit us at www.UnitedWayofLaramieCounty.org.
2011 Campaign Kick-Off
38 Pacesetter Companies Lead the WAY
“A BETTER LARAMIE COUNTY”
[Cheyenne, WY, August 30, 2011] – United Way of Laramie County kicked off the 2011 Campaign today at the Holiday Inn Cheyenne. The 2011 Co-Chairs, Tim & Kathy Joannides and Phil Noble & Lynn Birleffi, announced $ 425,616.12 was raised by the 38 Pacesetter companies, including Wyoming 2-1-1 which is not only a new company but a new Pacesetter organization.
United Way of Laramie County provides funding to 28 Program Partners, and this funding assists over 30% of the Laramie County population. Co-Chair Tim Joannides spoke of the great services being provided by the Program Partners, and how United Way dollars are changing lives in Laramie County.
Mr. Joannides spoke of the generous community we live in and the strength of our local economy, a fact demonstrated by 19 Pacesetter companies, 50% of the 38 companies, who INCREASED their donations this year.
Four local car dealers have also joined together to provide a $15,000 car voucher to those who contribute to the 2011 campaign. There will be 13 drawings between now and the end of the campaign to determine the 13 semi-finalists for the car voucher. The winner is selected from the 13 semi-finalists. The FIRST semi finalist was selected at today’s kick-off. This is the eighth year of the Car Voucher Program, which is an incentive to increase donations in the Campaign.
Pacesetters are Laramie County businesses that understand the mission and vision of United Way and are committed to help set the pace for our annual campaign. Pacesetter companies complete their employee campaigns, finalize fundraising events and confirm corporate gifts so these totals can be announced during the annual United Way of Laramie County Kick-Off event.
2011 Pacesetter companies include: Align, Allstate Insurance Company, American National Bank, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Wyoming, Cameco, CBS 5 Newschannel and the Cheyenne CW, Cheyenne LEADS, Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power, Cheyenne State Bank, Dyno Nobel, First Cheyenne Federal Credit Union, First Interstate Bank, First National Bank of Wyoming, Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Halladay Motors, Inc., Jonah Bank, McGee, Hearne & Paiz, LLP, Personal Financial Solutions, Inc., RBC Wealth Management, Schreiner & Weskamp, Security First Bank, Spradley Barr Motors, Inc., Taco John's International, Tyrrell-Doyle Auto Centers, Union Pacific Railroad & Foundation, United Way of Laramie County, UPS, US Bank, Wallick and Volk, Inc., Walmart Distribution Center, Warren Federal Credit Union, WinHealth Partners, WyHy Federal Credit Union, Wyoming 2-1-1, Wyoming Bank & Trust, Wyoming Machinery Company, Wyoming State Bank, Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
For more information contact:
Connie Sloan Cathcart
director@unitedwayoflaramiecounty.org
or
Chris Allen
resource@unitedwayoflaramiecounty.org
Or
Robert Fecht
marketing@unitedwayoflaramiecounty.org
or call 638-8904
Recent data shows approximately 26,338 residents of the estimated 87,500 county population receive service from United Way Program Partners.
Halladay Motors, Spradley Motors, Kia of Cheyenne, and Tyrell-Doyle Auto Centers.
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United Way of Laramie County today released the list of Program Partners that will receive funding for the two year funding cycle in 2012/2013. For the past two years United Way has provided funding to 23 different programs in Laramie County. For the 2012/2013 cycle United Way received 45 different requests totaling over $1.9 million dollars. The total funds available for allocation were $766,000 short of the amount requested.
Six programs were added to the 2012/2013 cycle that did not receive funding in 2010 while three programs who had previously received funding will not be receiving funds in the next cycle. The six programs added to the funding cycle are Bethel Outreach Ministries, Wyoming Family Home Ownership Program, Boy Scouts, CRMC Tobacco-Free for Baby and Me, Peak Wellness Eastern Laramie County Outreach, and Wyoming 2-1-1. Programs that previously received funding which are not funded in the next cycle are the Bus Token Assistance Program, COMEA Transitional Living Program and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention.
United Way Board Chairman Steve Lovas stated “There are over 30 volunteers who comprise the three Community Investment Teams. This group of dedicated and concerned citizens, all Laramie County residents, spends hundreds of hours reviewing and scrutinizing each of the submitted applications. These are people who work very hard to insure that our donor money is wisely invested with Program Partners in Laramie County.” Once the Teams complete their recommendations, the list is forwarded to the United Way Board of Directors. A portion of the recommendations includes 5th penny funding by the County and the City. Both the County Commissioners and the City Council review and approve this portion of the funding allocations.
Aimee Lewis, Community Investment Team Chair and United Way Board member, stated “During the funding review process our potential Program Partners must show the need for the program, along with the impact of the program to the community and they must clearly document how the funds will be used here in Laramie County. Additionally, the Investment Teams had to prioritize funding requests to address the gap between the amount requested and the available funds.”
United Way Executive Director Connie Sloan Cathcart added “Our Mission is; NO ONE IN NEED, and our first priority has always been to maintain a safety net for emergency services, and then to provide funding for preventative services, to develop new programs and to bring forward new initiatives. We are grateful to our donors who have supported and helped take a positive step toward this mission”.
The full list of funded Program Partners is:
Promoting Financial Stability and Independence: $612,243
American Red Cross – High Plains Branch $45,000
Bethel Outreach Ministries $6,000
CASA of Laramie County $65,000
Climb Wyoming $50,000
COMEA House and Resource Center $50,000
Connections Corner, Inc. $40,000
Family Promise Cheyenne $35,000
GreenPath (Consumer Financial Counseling) $20,000
Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne, Inc. $50,000
Needs, Inc. $114,243
RSVP $13,000
Safehouse Services, Inc. $70,000
Southeast Wyoming Foster Grandparent Program $20,000
Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc. $14,000
Wyoming Family Home Ownership Program $20,000
Helping Children & Youth Achieve Their Potential: $152,800
Boys and Girls Club of Cheyenne Wyoming, Inc. $64,000
Boy Scouts of America, Longs Peak Council $8,000
Safe Harbor, a Children’s Justice Center $12,500
Special Friends of Cheyenne, Inc. $48,000
Southeast Wyoming Foster Grandparent Program $20,300
Improving Community Health: $304,957
Centralized Pharmacy $90,000
Cheyenne Health and Wellness Access $75,557
Cheyenne Health and Wellness Dental $80,000
Peak Wellness Emergency Mental Health Service $44,000
Peak Wellness Laramie County Outreach $6,000
CRMC Tobacco-Free Baby and Me $9,400
Wyoming 2-1-1 $25,000
Goal Connect $25,000
TOTAL $1,120,000
An update to the community from your United Way
Throughout the fall and winter United Way is visible to you during the United Way campaign as our volunteers are out in the community encouraging your involvement. What you may not see as clearly is the work of the Community Investment Teams on the process of finding human service partners and the funding decisions that are made.
United Way commits funding in a two-year cycle. This spring we are determining funding for 2012/2013 cycle. This effort includes the recommendations to the County Commissioners and the City Council for their human service funding committed during the 5th Penny approval. We have three Community Investment Teams; Helping Neighbors in Crisis and Strengthening Families, Improving Community Health, and, Helping Children and Youth Achieve Their Full Potential.
In 2010/2011 United Way is providing funding to 23 different programs in Laramie County. For the 2012/2013 cycle we have requests from 45 programs. The difference between the requests for funding compared to the dollars available was $766,000. As you can imagine, determining funding with this gap is a daunting task for our volunteer team members. They are committed to the Mission and Vision of United Way of a better Laramie County and no one in need.
Our Community Investment Team members take this task very seriously as stewards of your donations to our annual campaigns. They know they are fulfilling the role that you, our neighbors, have asked United Way to fill for our 60 years. What gives me hope and drives me to continue this work is the inspiration I feel from the engagement, integrity and community spirit these fine volunteers bring to every conversation and every decision.
The Investment process is community driven. It begins with needs assessment information and is carried out by community volunteers.
The decisions they make are based on several areas of consideration and the answers to these questions;
- Does this program meet the Team objectives which were determined by needs assessment and prioritization?
- Will this organization be a strong partner with an effective and efficient management structure led by a strong board?
- Will/does this program bring results for people in Laramie County; will they achieve outcomes and use information to become a stronger program?
- Who needs us most, in considering both the clients in need of services and the organizations?
We also attempt to find a balance between services that keep the safety net in place, provide prevention and development of new initiatives that can solve problems.
Because of this gap, requested funding vs. available monies, the bottom line is that many organizations will not receive the funding they requested. Some will not be funded at all, while others will receive a small percentage of their requests. They will be burdened with finding other funding in order to fulfill their missions.
As a community member, I hope you will be looking at the results of this process with interest. You may have concerns and may very well be disappointed in the final funding. You may ask; does United Way realize the importance of this program or that organization to our community?
The answer is yes. Our volunteers know well the implications of their decisions and that some organizations will struggle. We wish we could fund every deserving request. It has been a difficult process but they stuck it out on your behalf. The gap between the needs and the funding will be wide. They, like you, cannot imagine our community without these organizations committed to strengthening our community.
Does this mean that United Way should stop trying or that the individual donor should give up? I would hope not. I believe we are a better community because you have chosen to help. Our decisions as neighbors, as donors and volunteers, shape our community. My hope is that our commitment is made stronger and our will is steeled to bring the two ends ever closer together.
I am hoping for your understanding as the funding announcements come out. And, I am asking you to share your thoughts, reactions and concerns with me. I can be contacted at 638-8904 or director@UnitedWayofLaramieCounty.org Thank you,
Connie Sloan Cathcart
Executive Director
United Way of Laramie County
LARAMIE COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM.
Laramie County has been awarded $40,876 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities; and United Way of America. The Local Board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
A Local Board made up of the local County Emergency Management Director, United Way and representatives from the above organizations will determine how the funds awarded to Laramie County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive funding under this phase of the program.
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if the are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
Laramie County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with The Salvation Army; Safe House Sexual Assault Services; COMEA House, Inc.; Community Care and Share; NEEDS, Inc.; American Red Cross; Attention Home, Inc.; and Community Action of Laramie County, Inc. These agencies are responsible for providing over 10,000 meals and 630 nights of lodging.
Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Rod Hottle, United Way of Laramie County, 6101 Yellowstone Road, Room 174, Cheyenne, WY 82009 or call 638-8904 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is by noon December 23, 2011.
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