Heart of Missouri United Way Elects New Board Members

The Heart of Missouri United Way is pleased to announce its 2024 class of Board of Directors. Six members were elected to the board to serve three-year terms beginning in May of 2024. The members were elected during a board meeting on April 17, 2024.

“As we welcome our new board members to the Heart of Missouri United Way family, we embrace fresh perspectives and diverse expertise,” said incoming Board Chair Mitzi Clayton, “Together, we look forward to continued collaboration with our community strategically investing resources to empower individuals and families to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.”

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Kerrie Bloss

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Lacey Burrell

Veterans United Home Loans

Leigh Anne Haun

Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council

Talia Jackson

Community Member

Shannon Kuczynski Boone Health

Brad Roling

Mid America Bank

United Way Day of Action

Due to the wonderful support and continued partnership with MU Health Care, we are excited to announce our Week of Action, June 15-21! Week of Action provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for people and organizations that tackle some of the toughest problems facing our community.

There are many exciting volunteer opportunities at Boys & Girls Club of Columbia, City of Refuge, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, First Chance for Children, Habitat for Humanity, Douglass High School and more! Sign up to volunteer today.

Along with the volunteer opportunities all week long, we are hosting a Week of Action Breakfast Celebration, on Friday, June 21 at 8:00 a.m. Please indicate if you plan to join us for the breakfast celebration when you sign up for a volunteer opportunity.

If you can't make the breakfast, there is another great opportunity to celebrate the Week of Action, by joining us at Logboat Brewing Company from 3:30pm-6:00 p.m. also on Friday, June 21.

We look forward to spreading help and hope with you in our community and are grateful for your service to all. We can make a difference together when we’re United in Action!

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at volunteer@uwheartmo.org, or call our office at 573.443.4523.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. One mental health support tool United Way has is 211 - the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country. It’s powered by people: thousands of caring, local experts are available to help, 24/7. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.

Whether you are looking for help for yourself or worried about someone else, 211 has a variety of available mental health and substance use resources and services. 211 specialists are available to lend a judgment-free ear and help you talk through life’s stressors. Whenever you feel lost, you can rest assured that a call to 211 is a step in the right direction.

Visit 211 Resource Directory

211 Mental Health Resources

United in Hope: MeM Packs Wellness Kits

Recently, team members at Missouri Employers Mutual assembled 500 wellness kits. These kits included basic needs items such as: 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner, disposable emery boards, sunglasses, Clorox disinfecting wipes, antiperspirant, Irish Spring soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nail clippers, water bottles and lids, facial tissue, bandages, 2-1-1 brochures, and Singlecare cards.

Some of the local nonprofit organizations that received this kits include Job Point, Powerhouse, and Catholic Charities. Thank you to all the companies and individuals who sponsor and package wellness kits that are given to our community's most vulnerable.

You're invited to join Heart of Missouri United Way and the CoMo Give 5 program for a screening of the film "Join Now or Die" at Ragtag Cinema on June 28 at 10 a.m.

The film centers on America’s civic unraveling through the journey of scientist Robert Putnam, whose research on the decline in American community lights a path out of our democracy’s present crisis. Learn why you should join a group and why the fate of America may depend on it!

There will also be opportunities to find out how to get involved and hear from local volunteers on the impact it’s had on them and our community!

About Dr. Putnam: Robert D. Putnam is an American political scientist and educator best known for his study of social capital. In his most influential books—Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy (1993), coauthored with Robert Leonardi and Raffaella Nanetti, and Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000)—Putnam argued that strong and prosperous societies rest upon community relationships and mutual trust, what he called “social capital.”

The next Give 5 Cohort will take place this fall. Join the list for the next cohort here!

Agency Spotlight: Services for Independent Living

Mission: Services for Independent Living empowers people with disabilities, seniors, and veterans to maximize their independence in the community.

Vision: They envision a barrier-free community for all people.

Their Senior Connect program receives funding from our Health & Basic Needs impact investment. The goal of Senior Connect is to maximize the independence of low income seniors in Boone County by providing services to improve health outcomes, increase access to resources, and grow social connections in the community. This program strives to reduce social isolation, provide access to basic needs, and keep low-income seniors safe and independent in their homes.

Visit SIL's Website

Heart of Missouri United Way in the Community

Earlier this month, we received a recognition and appreciation award for 30 years of service to the Partners in Education program in Columbia Public Schools.

Fun fact, we were the first United Way in the country to become a partner in education!

We would like to share a special thank you to the 2024 Columbia Business Times 20 Under 40 class.

They raised more than $5,000 for our Read Across Columbia program!

Upcoming Events

Week of Action: June 15-21

Week of Action Breakfast: June 21

Week of Action Celebration: June 21

CoMo Give 5 & United Way Screening of Join or Die: June 28

Heart of Missouri United Way invests in programs at nonprofit organizations in the impact areas of health and basic needs, education, and financial stability. Our investments reach individuals and families in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties. Donate today to make an impact in your community.

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