United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is starting 2025 fresh with a brand new look. We’re excited about our new logo – the brighter colors and more fluid shape feel more modern, more active, more “us.”
Organizations HAVE to evolve, or they won’t survive changing times and needs. Luckily, we aren’t just experts in our communities; we’re experts in adaptability. When the needs of the community have changed, we’ve always changed, too.
WDIO:
A big donation for the United Way of NE Minnesota on Thursday, with $10,000 from the Veterans Community Thrift Store in Hibbing.
Money will support the MAC-V house in Hibbing, which houses veterans who are transitioning out of homelessness. It’s the only one of its kind on the Range.
The Veterans Community Thrift Store also donated $10,000 in April last year, to help with the oral history project.
by Melissa Cox for Mesabi Tribune
CHISHOLM - United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) continues to make a profound impact on the region, touching thousands of lives each year.
In 2024 alone, an estimated 100,000 people were positively affected by UWNEMN’s programs and partners, with official figures to be finalized next month, said Erin Shay, Executive Director of UWNEMN.
Being able to make a difference in the lives of others is the reason they come to work everyday and continue to work when they are outside of the office, said Shay.
Elizabeth joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in February of 2012. Elizabeth is an Iron Range native, growing up in Chisholm. She spent 13 years in the Twin Cities, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University and working as development and event director for an educational nonprofit. Elizabeth always planned on moving back to the Iron Range, and the opportunity at United Way allowed her to return home.
Katy joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in May of 2019. Katy's roots are on the Iron Range; she grew up in Virginia, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Print Journalism from Concordia College Moorhead, and returned to the Iron Range to work as a reporter for the Hibbing Daily Tribune. She then worked for the Iron Mining Association of MN in Duluth for eight years before moving back to the Iron Range.
Gail joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in February of 2012. She has been working as a bookkeeper for over 20 years. “I love bookkeeping and working with numbers," she said. "I love to see things balance and enjoy the challenge of finding out why when they don’t.
Sarah joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in January of 2020. She grew up in Hibbing and has her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Sciences from Hamline University. She has worked with children since graduating and is excited to be able to work with UWNEMN's children’s programs. “Working with children is near and dear to my heart," she said. "They always see the good in people, and their glass is always ‘half full.’" When she’s not working she loves spending time with friends and family, watching movies, boating, fishing, and spending time on the lake.
Kealey joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in February of 2022. Kealey is an Iron Range native who grew up in Chisholm, MN. She has worked and volunteered for both the Chisholm Chamber of Commerce and Hibbing Chamber of Commerce and through those experiences became connected with UWNEMN programs and agencies. "I have loved watching the great things UWNEMN has done for my community as well as neighboring communities," she said.
Michelle joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in April of 2018. She is a Duluth native, and she moved to the Iron Range in 2009. Michelle earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a double major in Education. She has been working in the human services field for the last 17 years. “Through my work at UWNEMN, I am able to utilize my previous experience as I help the organization carry out our direct-service programming," she said.
After completing her Bachelor's Degree at the College of St. Scholastica, Erin opted to move back to her "home on the Range" where she came to find her position with the United Way in October of 2004. She has been able to fulfill her passion for working with people whether it is meeting with area employees to talk about the good things United Way does, planning a United Way event, or working on the ever-growing list of community impact initiatives the United Way coordinates. "It's amazing to me the amount of people I've been able to meet through United Way," she said.