We envision a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential.
For more than 55 years, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has mobilized the caring power of community resources to serve people in need in our service area. In 2008, UWNEMN transformed our work to go beyond our traditional fundraising model, creating and operating our own Community Impact programs. Today, it is our vision to make a bold local impact, bringing momentum and positive change to improve quality of life across our region. We seek to invest in nonprofits, programs, and collaborations that equip and empower, creating opportunities for people to thrive in our communities in the following focus areas:
Helping Children Succeed
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UWNEMN prioritizes a holistic, multi-generational approach to giving local children the best chance for successful futures. We recognize that education is a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of poverty and that building resiliency is critical to improved health, development, and educational outcomes.
Empowering Healthy Lives
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UWNEMN prioritizes eliminating barriers for all people to our service area to live healthy lives as long as possible. We know ensuring our region has access to comprehensive care, including increasing social connectedness for our most vulnerable citizens, will lead to a stronger overall community.
Stabilizing Families and Individuals
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UWNEMN prioritizes maintaining the most essential resources for the safety and security of our community members. We aim for needs to be met promptly and with compassion in crisis, with thoughtful consideration given to help people become self-sufficient once stabilized.
A coordinated investment strategy that focuses on these underlying elements is the most effective way to reduce poverty and improve conditions in our community. We cannot reach our goals with dollars alone...
We promote and provide opportunities for community engagement, foster collaborations of businesses, nonprofits and community leaders, and mobilize the full breadth of our community’s assets - people, knowledge, relationships, technology, and money - to implement our Community Impact plan.
Together, we will improve the lives of people facing the greatest challenges and ultimately our entire community. Together, we will see change. Together, we will see Community Impact.