“This is an historic time for United Way of Yavapai County,” according to Michael Whiting, the Executive Director of United Way, which marks its 22nd anniversary this year.

“United Way of Yavapai County works toward achieving the goals that members of our community identified as most critical through our new focus called Community Impact, which is our Agenda for Action,” says Whiting. “By focusing on specific actions, we will be helping people in a more positive way. We will help break negative cycles and tackle the root causes of problems to bring about lasting change.” 

This year will mark the implementation of a five-year Community Impact Plan – the “roadmap” for investing in programs and services that will be selected because of their focus on results and alignment with specific community goals. The initial focus will be on Critical Needs. These targeted programs and services will help respond to urgent needs including emergency food, emergency housing, emergency clothing and supplies and emergency medical aid.

Through a multidisciplinary Community Impact Team, United Way and collaborating partners have identified three focus areas to mobilize the community, align investments and create collaborations that produce results. Those three areas are Critical Needs: Investing in basic food, shelter, safety, medical, and emergency needs; Successful Lives: Strengthening individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency; and Commitment to Learning: Empowering people of all ages through quality learning and skills development.

Whiting says, “We believe that true community change is needed if we are to improve lives across Yavapai County.”

More than a year ago, United Way of Yavapai County examined options to address areas of need where investing in community resources might achieve significant change. UWYC reviewed needs as documented by local agencies and researched many models adopted by United Way organizations from around the country. A key factor in the information gathering was the town hall-like sessions held in Prescott, Sedona, Verde Valley and the Quad Cities. These meetings, called “Community Conversations” solicited input regarding urgent needs, as identified by participants. In total, there were 135 participants from four separate town hall meetings.

The funding will encompass a three year period for each of the three Community Impact focus areas and any qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Yavapai County will have an opportunity to submit an application in response to their Community Impact Request for Proposal.

According to Robert St. Clair, the United Way Vice President of Resource Development, “Funding programs for a three year period will enable non-profit agencies to improve services continuously while the United Way can effectively manage resources that are not limited to only a one year period of time.” 

President of the UWYC Board of Directors, Melanie Jacobson says, “The United Way of Yavapai County will continue to fund local health and human service agency programs and services with high standards and will strive to meet our community’s toughest problems like hunger, housing, transportation and education.”

As done during the past 21 years, United Way is planning to be a significant community partner and will use their collective professional and volunteer expertise to collaborate with other funders and providers in an effort to improve people’s lives and to report the results of their commitment on an annual basis.