United Way Unveils ‘The New U’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowUnited Way of Central Indiana says it will move forward with a new strategy focusing on education, income, health and basic needs. Chief Executive Officer Ann Murtlow is detailing “The New U” this afternoon at the organization's annual meeting.
June 4, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — The launch of a new commitment to make measurable improvements in priority community issues, or the “The New U,” will be announced by United Way of Central Indiana's President and CEO Ann Murtlow at the organization's Annual Meeting today (June 4).
“We're still the same mission-driven United Way that thousands of people know and trust,” said Murtlow. “But now we have specific goals around our priorities in Education, Income, Health, and Basic Needs. And, we are aligning all of our efforts, public policy work and partnerships around those measurable community goals, because continuing with past approaches will not produce the kind of progress we need to change community conditions,” Murtlow explained.
Murtlow, who has been leading United Way for 14 months, will describe the shift to almost 900 supporters before updating them on the past year's accomplishments and recognizing companies and volunteers who helped throughout the year.
The changes underway at United Way will take place over the next few years, said Murtlow. During the transition, United Way intends to align all of its activities around long-term community goals in its priority areas including improving the high school graduation rate, reducing childhood obesity and increasing the number of financially stable families.
“I'm thankful for United Way's leadership in moving forward with a bold approach to ensure that it is having a significant impact among the most vulnerable people in central Indiana,” said Josh Abel, executive director, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, a United Way agency. Abel said the changes offer an opportunity for 91 nonprofit agencies that are part of United Way to “work together to move the needle on some of our community's most intractable problems.”
Murtlow described the success United Way has had in increasing both the supply of and demand for high quality early child care options for all families as “a demonstration that the approach works.”
After investing financially to help child care providers in central Indiana voluntarily improve their quality, United Way also ramped up both a public awareness and a public policy campaign to push for changes in state law.
“As a result, nearly 25,000 Hoosier children will soon be eligible to receive a high-quality early childhood education, putting them “soundly on paths to better lives,” Murtlow added.
“The New U will allow us to leverage the substantial resources and relationships of UWCI to improve lives in even more meaningful ways.” Murtlow concluded.
United Way of Central Indiana helps people learn more, earn more and lead safe and healthy lives. United Way gets things done by mobilizing people and community partners in six Central Indiana counties to identify, advance and advocate the best solutions. LIVE UNITED is a call to action for everyone to be part of the change. Visit uwci.org to learn more.
Source: United Way of Central Indiana