The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and one Dane County organization is hoping to dig its forks to the occasion Tuesday and make a sizeable dent in the elephant-size issue of local poverty.

On Tuesday afternoon, the United Way of Dane County will kick off what it hopes to be a $17.5 million season with its annual Day of Caring, a volunteer-driven event that sees participants compile things like food, school supplies and hygiene products to be given to those in need.

“It’s a chance to come together, get people more approximate to the issues and how we respond in the community,” United Way President and CEO Renee Moe said. “We need more than ever to come together as neighbors.”

From 1:30 to 3 p.m., hundreds of people will gather at Breese Stevens Field to pack food and health supplies, forming a sort of humanitarian assembly line. They’re tasked with putting together 250 backpacks, 4,000 paper products, 3,000 menstrual hygiene packages, 2,000 healthy snacks and 1,000 encouraging notes, which will go to Porchlight, the Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, the Road Home of Dane County, Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin and WayForward Resources.

Volunteers at the 2024 Day of Caring heft bags full of donated necessities, packed by around 500 volunteers. This year, more than 900 people have registered for the day.

“We’re really excited to see those numbers back up,” she said.

But just as the volunteer number has increased, so too has the need. More than 58,000 Dane County residents are living in poverty, 10.5% of the population. Calls to 211, United Way Dane County’s help line, are up 36%, with the highest volumes seeking food, rent and utility assistance.

Another issue United Way hopes to address is the racial disparities in Dane County, where Black people account 5% of the overall population but more than 40% of those who are homeless, according to the organization’s data. Black people in Dane County are also twice as likely as white people to be living in poverty, and the average life expectancy of a Black person here, 71 years, is more than a decade shorter than for white, Asian and Latino people in the county.

Fourteen cents of every dollar United Way raises toward its charitable efforts goes toward administrative costs. This year, though, another local organization is looking to bridge that 14-cent gap with its own contributions.

The Dan and Patti Rashke (TASC) Foundation will be underwriting each individual donation, making up for those administrative costs so that all of the money an individual donates goes directly to people in need.

“It takes that barrier out,” Moe said. “That’s a really big deal.”

Registration for the event is still open, so anyone who wants to attend the Day of Caring or otherwise contribute to the United Way can find information on the organization’s website, UnitedWayDaneCounty.org.

Next Tuesday, Aug. 19, is United Way’s Day of Caring at Breese Stevens Field, and it resonates with me in ways it hasn’t before. The world is a bit of a mess. Every day seems to bring a new story of human suffering, and each of those stories contains some evidence of the absence of concern, to say nothing of compassion. Human beings, children and entire families are living in fear, misery and desperation. And people who can do something about it don’t give a damn. So, a “day of caring.” What a concept.

It is not a new concept, of course. United Way of Dane County, or UWDC, has organized the day of volunteering as the kickoff for its annual Community Campaign for almost 25 years now. (Last year’s Community Campaign raised $17.3 million thanks to more than 13,000 people and 500 businesses.) The Day of Caring is a kickoff event where hundreds of people, employees from local businesses, families, groups of friends and community-minded citizens help folks who need it with clean-up, pick-up and fix-up jobs at dozens of designated homes and community spaces. (There are 900 people registered so far for this year’s kickoff.)

It’s an uplifting, positive day that — like United Way of Dane County itself — makes a difference in people’s lives. But, for reasons beyond that, it just feels like we need as many days of caring as we can get right now. And I’m grateful to UWDC for reminding us of that.

Caring — and caring enough to do something about it — is what makes UWDC so special. I believe our county’s United Way stands apart from most United Ways in other communities. Over the last 40 years I’ve been in more UWDC-led meetings than I can count, and I have seen firsthand the level of commitment and dedication, from volunteers, young people, retirees and civic activists, as well as occupants of C-level suites of almost every major business, organization and employer in Dane County. It is a display of trust, confidence and belief that UWDC has earned through decades of hard work, accountability and unparalleled knowledge of Dane County.

The work has included concerted and badly needed efforts that include supporting families, providing housing stability, ensuring children are healthy and able to achieve in school, allowing older adults to enjoy quality lives, and confronting racism and injustice wherever it rears its ugly head. Importantly, UWDC has also demonstrated the wisdom and nimble flexibility to pivot when necessary to address compelling community needs when they arise. And underlying every one of those decisions and action plans — every stay-to-the-end meeting, every hard decision of how to allocate limited resources — is a visible, palpable, explicit expression of caring. People work at, volunteer at and support UWDC because each one of them cares.

There are times I wish United Way of Dane County could change its name. I worry it has become so ubiquitous that we take it for granted: it will always be there, it will always be wisely directing dollars to nonprofit service providers, and it always raises enough money to do that.

But the contrast between the positivity, hope and impact of a Day of Caring, and the often depressing, frightening, soul-sapping times in which we live should motivate us all to give what we can — of our time and/or money, to make sure UWDC really can continue to promote a community that cares. That may require a little more thought and effort given the evolution from traditional workplace giving and paycheck deductions models to now-common online giving. But I’m recommending we make the effort.

There’s still time to register for free to volunteer at the Day of Caring on Aug. 19 at Breese Stevens Field. Or, visit unitedwaydanecounty.org for an invitation to be inspired by the power of many, the kindness of others and how we can incorporate that spirit into our lives in ways that contribute to that effort.

Neil Heinen is a former editorial director of Madison Magazine and News 3 Now. He writes this “I Have Some Thoughts” web-exclusive column monthly.

DANE COUNTY, Wis. (WKOW) — United Way of Dane County is preparing for its annual community fundraising campaign, the Day of Caring, and the public is invited to participate.

Renee Moe, president and CEO of United Way of Dane County, appeared on 27 News at 5 on Thursday to talk about the event.

The Day of Caring is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Breese Stevens Field in Madison. This year’s campaign goal is $17.5 million.

Hundreds of local volunteers are expected to assemble thousands of essential care kits called ImPacks and backpacks for students and families in the community.

The event will also feature a food drive and opportunities to learn about challenges facing Dane County. Participants will receive a free United Way volunteer T-shirt, enjoy snacks and work together to make a difference locally.

Click here for more information.

WKOW is a proud event sponsor.

Jersson Isidoro signed up this year for a new pre-apprenticeship program in Madison, hoping it would help guide the next steps of his career in the skilled trades.

He learned construction basics like scaffolding and concrete work. He practiced safety measures and math. And now, he has a job in insulation.

“(The program is) really important,” Isidoro said. “It helps people that are not sure what to do after high school or just if they are interested in the construction area.”

The program, run by the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, was available to more than a dozen students free of charge, and students were paid for their work while training. A $300,000 Lowe’s Foundation grant funded the program and will fund its continued development over the next two years.

Isidoro said he applied after learning about the program through a career fair. Adults authorized to work in the United States with at least an intermediate level of English were eligible to participate. To complete the two-week course, students had to pass testing requirements, an interview and a variety of construction trainings.

“I applied those skills where I work now, like the safety stuff,” Isidoro said. “I’d be more careful, because safety is the most important part when you’re in the field.”

The Lowe’s Foundation awarded 15 of the grants this year to nonprofits, all focused on workforce training in the skilled trades. The Latino Academy’s grant was the only award to a Wisconsin nonprofit.

Nydia Martinez, the Latino Academy’s executive director, said the grant is providing more than money to launch and operate the training course.

“Not only (did the foundation) give us this funding, but they also helped us to establish a partnership with the Lowe’s stores,” Martinez said. “They provided additional tools and support for our students.”

Other partners in the pre-apprenticeship program include the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin and United Way of Dane County.

“They supported the program by helping us to address some access barriers,” Martinez said. “For example, providing resources like … gas gift cards to support individuals to be able to travel to the training areas.”

Coldplay’s sold-out show July 19 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison filled the field and most of the bowl with 58,000 people.

Picture that ginormous crowd in your head for a moment. That’s the same number of people in Dane County who are living in poverty, according to the United Way.

Here’s another troubling statistic: The number of third graders in Dane County who don’t read at grade level — about 2,300 — could fill 33 school buses. As much as our community is thriving with low unemployment, rapid growth and a booming technology economy, many people in and around Madison still struggle to get by. Just last month, the United Way of Dane County’s 211 help line received 578 calls for food, 378 for help paying rent and 144 for assistance with utility bills.

The local United Way has rallied our community for more than a century to help the less fortunate. The nonprofit targets donations and volunteers to the greatest need, using data and partnerships in the public and private sectors to improve lives and opportunity.

So please give to the United Way if you can this year. The organization is launching its annual fundraiser at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Breese Stevens Field in Madison. About 700 people have registered to attend the event, which includes fun activities for families, a food drive and volunteer opportunities. You can register, donate or volunteer at unitedwaydanecounty.org.

Federal cuts to social services — including food assistance and health care for the poor — heighten the need for local giving. The United Way of Dane County is still building back from the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote work hindered donations through employers.

The organization hopes to raise $17.5 million in the coming year, an increase from $17.3 million last year. The year before the pandemic, it collected $18.5 million. Most of the United Way’s donations come from individuals. This year, Dan and Patti Rashke of Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) are generously covering all administrative expenses for individual donations. That means every dollar you give will go to vital local services, not to overhead.

The Rashkes’ pledge is “an amazing gift and lift,” said Kim Sponem, CEO and president of Summit Credit Union, who is chairing the United Way fundraiser.

“They want to inspire more giving,” said Renee Moe, president and CEO of the local United Way. The United Way of Dane County supported more than 82,000 people last year. This included helping families find and keep affordable housing and health insurance. It included, through a partnership with Americorps, tutoring thousands of area students in reading and math.

The United Way has long strived to better understand and narrow disparities in health, education and employment for people of color. Black people in Dane County are 5% of the population but more than 40% of those who are homeless, according to the organization’s data. Black people in Dane County are twice as likely as white people to be living in poverty. Their average life expectancy of 71 years is more than a decade shorter than for white, Asian and Latino people in the county.

Yet progress is being made, thanks to the United Way, its 13,000 donors, 600 volunteers and 500 community partners. Poverty is down by more than 3,000 people from five years ago — even though Dane County’s population is rising.

More students are completing high school, including an increase of 10 percentage points for Black students since 2020. During a meeting with the State Journal editorial board last week, Moe cited a reduction in homelessness for children and fewer disruptive moves from school to school. She said the tutoring program, which incorporates phonics, has learned that struggling students need more sessions to maximize improvement.

The United Way deserves your trust and donation in helping to make our region a better place for all.

Wisconsin State Journal editorial board

The views expressed in the editorials are shaped by the board, independent of news coverage decisions elsewhere in the newspaper.

STAFF MEMBERS

KELLY LECKER, Executive editor

SCOTT MILFRED, Editorial page editor

PHIL HANDS, Editorial cartoonist

COMMUNITY MEMBERS

JAMES L. HOWARD

LAUREN CNARE

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The next time you use the 211 information app, there are now resources available in Spanish.

United Way of Dane County launched the Spanish version this week. The app gives 24/7 live local resources to help residents in Dane and six other counites in Southern Wisconsin.

“When you look 5% factor to this, there are over 4,000 people in the Madison area that are Spanish speaking that want to be able to access resources and we want to make sure we can serve them,” Ed Wall, the director of 211 for United Way of Dane County.

The Spanish version of the app was developed with the help of Centro Hispano and a grant from PHMDC.

“Central Hispano right here in Madison contacted us and said a lot of people who want to use the app but only speak Spanish. We took that as something that we wanted to get done. We wanted to create a Spanish version,” Wall said.

The app was originally launched in October 2021. The 211 Wisconsin app was developed to broaden awareness of and access to community resources.

It connects people to resources like food pantries, housing, education, crisis lines and legal help.

If people do not have their own devices, there are 60 kiosks throughout southern Wisconsin for people to use. They can be found in schools, homeless shelters, food pantries and libraries.

Click here for a full list of 211 kiosks.

MADISON (WKOW) — United Way of Dane County has launched a Spanish version of the 211 Wisconsin App.

The move aims to enhance access to health and human services for Spanish-speaking individuals and families in the Badger State.

The app, originally launched in October 2021, has over 5,200 users statewide. Its Spanish version was developed with Centro, a local nonprofit, ensuring cultural and language needs are met.

“At Centro, we believe that access to information is a cornerstone of equity,” Karen Menéndez Coller, executive director of Centro Dane County, said. “This is how we build a stronger, more connected community for all.”

Renee Moe, president and CEO of United Way of Dane County, emphasized the significance of the new app.

“Expanding access to essential services for Spanish-speaking residents brings us closer to the vision of a Dane County where everyone can thrive,” Moe said.

United Way of Dane County and Centro Hispano have partnered to create a Spanish-language version of its community resource app, 211 Wisconsin app.

The app was launched in October 2021 by United Way to increase awareness and access to community resources. It has grown tremendously in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, with now over 5,200 users across the state. 211 provides direct access to resources in various areas including bill assistance, housing, food, transportation, and more, for those in need.

As the realization of 211’s need grows, United Way now looks to expand its ability to serve communities through a partnership with Centro Hispano.

“This partnership with Centro shows the power of user experience design and collaboration to drive meaningful change,” said Renee Moe, president & CEO of United Way, in a press release. “After launching the 211 Wisconsin App, the most consistent feedback from nonprofit partners was the need for a Spanish version. Thanks to a grant from Public Health Madison & Dane County, that’s now a reality. Expanding access to essential services for Spanish-speaking residents brings us closer to the vision of a Dane County where everyone can thrive.”

MADISON (WKOW) — More people now have access to essential community resources.

The United Way of Dane County announced a new feature in its 211 app that will allow a Spanish option to find health and human services.

The app launched in October of 2021 to help broaden awareness and access to community resources in the Badger State. It has helped thousands of users find essential services in their communities.

Ed Wall is United Way’s Director of 211 and says it took nearly a year to put the project together.

He says the public demand to add the language to the app was what drove the expansion of services.

“We love the app, but we need a Spanish version of it, because some of people coming in here do not speak English, and they want to be able to utilize the resources within 211,” Wall said.

A few weeks ago, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay junior Jasmine Puls was at her AmeriCorps job at the Girl Scout Reaching Out program, preparing for a trip to a local elementary school, when she got an email marked “URGENT.”

“Out of nowhere, we just got an email that we were being shut down, and that they tried to appeal it but that it was non-appealable, and that there was nothing they could do,” Puls said. “We were literally given no warning.”

Seven staff members lost their jobs “within 10 minutes,” including Puls. They weren’t alone: Statewide, about 430 AmeriCorps workers found themselves out of work after the federal Department of Government Efficiency made cuts to their programs.

Reaching Out focused on connecting students in underserved communities — often due to financial or language barriers — with outdoor education and life skills, according to assistant program and inclusion director Brittany Pyatt. Many other AmeriCorps programs offered similar services, providing students in need with tutoring and engagement services.