UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA

Internal programs: united way of southwest minnesota focuses on health, education, financial stability, hunger, and safety & well-being. The united way success by 6 initiative strives to make sure that all children are ready to succeed when they enter kindergarten. Children who start behind, stay behind. Key strategies include sponsorship of the dolly parton imagination library program which puts quality, age appropriate books into the hands of children (birth - age 5) each month at no cost to their families; preparation and distribution of school readiness kits for all children prior to entering kindergarten; and planning and implementation of literacy building and enhancement programs. Other initiative examples: annual back-to-school supply drives where united way of southwest minnesota provides staff support, volunteers, publicity, and serves as fiscal agent; and united way staff organize and recruit volunteers for targeted community projects, i.e. Days of action, food collection, and volunteer reading efforts. Initiatives are developed or supported when united way of southwest minnesota identifies a gap or need that is significant enough to take action.