Community Involvement

United Way of Broome County, is part of a national network of about 1,300 United Ways, but each one is independent and local community centered in both operation and control. Originally organized to coordinate fund-raising activities among charities in a single community, United Way's role has expanded over the years. It is now a leader in helping to create partnerships among community organizations and seeking ways to improve the lives of the people living in Broome County in six Areas of Community Service: 

• Helping Young People Succeed
• Strengthening Families 
• Building a Stronger Community
• Promoting Health and Wellness
• Assisting Older Adults
• Responding to Emergencies (Fighting Hunger and Homelessness)

Throughout its existence, United Way of Broome County has been involved in coalitions and other special partnerships serving the local community through its Community Planning program. These partnerships demonstrate the power of coalitions—which often include both profit and nonprofit, and both public and private organizations—to make an impact on problems that no organization could solve alone.

Here are some of the partnerships which include United Way of Broome County as an active member:

Needs of Seniors
United Way is involved with the Aging Futures Partnership, which helps to identify the needs of local seniors and develop community solutions to address them. A coalition of local organizations under the leadership of the Broome County Office for the Aging, the partnership has identified seven needs of the local aging population through surveys, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and other methods. These are: managing chronic disease, housing, understanding and accessing services, transportation, caregiver support, legal and financial planning, and remaining socially connected. The partnership was awarded a four-year, $750,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help fund strategies to address the top three issues determined by the partnership (supporting caregivers, managing chronic illnesses, and reducing social isolation)

Born Learning
United Way of Broome County, along with other local organizations, is a participant in the Born Learning campaign. This is a national effort designed to help parents, families, caregivers, and communities create quality early learning opportunities for young children. Through national public service advertising, parent materials, and community mobilization activities, it provides action steps that are fun, simple, and that can be done in everyday moments to help prepare young children for school.

Cover the Uninsured
There are nearly 44 million Americans without health coverage, including 8.5million children. United Way is a national partner in Cover the Uninsured Week, which encourages nationwide discussion of this issue. 

Earned Income Tax Credit
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates about 3,500 eligible Broome County residents missed out on millions of dollars last year by not applying for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when they filed their federal income tax return. United Way of Broome County is working with other local organizations to increase awareness and participation in the EITC. 

United Way's Gifts-in-Kind program serves as a link between non-profit agencies in need of equipment, furnishings, and supplies and companies or individuals that want to donate surplus goods to benefit the community. United Way collects the donated materials and distributes them to non-profit organizations in need of these items. United Way has coordinated the distribution of in-kind donations recently from State Farm Insurance, Cost Cutters, the Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board, New York State United Teachers, the Rural Health Network, NYSEG, and others.

Those interested in participating in our community's Gifts In Kind program should contact Cherry Carley, Allocations and Planning, United Way of Broome County, P.O. Box 550, Binghamton NY 13902, Telephone: (607) 729-2592, Fax: (607) 729-2597, E-mail: ccarley@uwbroome.org  

United Way’s Management Assistance for Non-profit Agencies through General Education (MANAGE) program offers affordable workshops and services to enhance management skills for community non-profit agencies.

The Day of Caring program, coordinated by United Way's Voluntary Action Center, provides an opportunity for employee groups to participate in one-day volunteer projects at local non-profit agencies. Each year United Way develops a list of projects needed by agencies in the Broome County community. Beginning in 2002, the Day of Caring has been held on or near the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America.

United Way of Broome County, with the assistance of its member agencies, provides speakers on a wide variety of topics for both businesses and non-profit organizations. Speakers are available to talk to clubs, organizations, or employee groups throughout the year, free of charge. They are also available as resource persons for committees attempting to find solutions to problems in our community. These experts will share information on everything from alcoholism and highway safety to adult literacy in the community and workplace. Topics can be tailored to fit the needs and interests of just about any group. To schedule a speaker or resource person, call the United Way Speakers Bureau at (607) 729-2592, preferably well in advance of the meeting date.

Over the years, United Way of Broome County has been active within the community in a variety of other activities, including hosting blood drives, organizing a bone marrow donor program, sponsoring a holiday gift-giving program for children whose parents have terminal illnesses, and participating in programs sponsored by other organizations.

Updated: September 30, 2008