Initiatives

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 United Way works to build and improve community by bringing together individuals in business, government, health, labor, education and human services, developing initiatives to address aspects of community need. We also work with partner agencies to make sure that the people in our communities have access to the services they need.

The State of Caring Index is a part of an annual effort by United Way of Central Washington to measure the quality of life within Yakima County. The State of Caring Index is an online database that analyzes over 100 social and economic indicators for Yakima County and the State of Washington.  The State of Caring indicators are measured over a 10-year period to see what the trends are and to determine if the health of Yakima County is improving, unchanged or worsening.   The data is then compared to the State and reported out in the form of graphs and data tables.

The indicators are organized and measured under the following eight key areas:

• Population Demographics - population characteristics

• Economy - financial well-being of the county and its citizens

• Basic Needs - poverty and basic human needs such as food and housing

• Nurturing Children - pregnancy, parenting, and childhood development

• Youth Acheivement - youth education, crime and drug abuse

• Health and Well-being - death, disease and drug abuse

• Public Safety - adult crime, drug use and community safety

• Community Assets - civic engagement, culture and community resources

To learn more about this United Way initiative, go to the following links:

> View the State of Caring Index

> State of Caring Report 

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"I'm just not sure where to start..." could possibly be the beginning of many calls placed to a 2-1-1 call center. 

2-1-1 is a national initiative of United Way and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS). 2-1-1 is the three-digit telephone number assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for the purpose of providing quick and easy access to information about local health and human services. Simply by dialing 2-1-1 an individual will be connected to a call center operator trained to provide information or a referral to a social services program. To learn more about national 2-1-1 efforts go to www.211.org.

Washington Information Network WIN 2-1-1 is a coordinated effort by United Way's across Washington State who have worked with public and private organizations to establish 2-1-1 call centers to assist people that need social service help. The goal of WIN 2-1-1 is to ensure that every Washington citizen has immediate access to health, human and social services information, emergency and disaster response information, and public health information. To learn more about 2-1-1 in Washington go to www.resourcehouse.com/win211.

In Central Washington 2-1-1 is operated by the Greater Columbia 2-1-1 Call Center which serves residents in Adams, Benton, Chelan, Clark, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Klickitat, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Walla Walla and Yakima counties.

The call center is located at People For People, 302 W. Lincoln Avenue, Yakima, and operates 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday. To search online for services in your area click here.

Trouble reaching 2-1-1?  Call 1-877-211-9274 (toll-free)

 

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In 2004, United Way participated in an effort to organize the community around the issue of homelessness.  From those efforts the Homeless Network of Yakima County was formed.  This collaborative effort of more than 40 community organizations, including government and homeless individuals, has developed a 10-year plan to end homelessness.  In addition, this Network has implemented a homelss management information system, conducts extensive annual surveys of Yakima County's homeless population and has secured local, state and federal grants to fund housing and homeless services. 

As a result, United Way has developed a unique partnership with Yakima County government to develp the County's first homeless and affordable housing grant programs.  By combining staff and financial resources United Way and Yakima County will be able to have an even greater impact on homelessness.  Also, in partnership with the County, United Way has helped to establish a Homeless Emergency Fund to address the most immediate needs of homeless individuals as they enter into housing.

To learn more about the Homeless Network of Yakima County, please visit the Homeless Network website at: www.yakimahomeless.org 

Learn how to turn everyday moments with young children into fun learning activities that will prepare them for entering school with the free materials and information available online through Born Learning.

The Born Learning campaign is a national public awareness and engagement campaign that began in 2005.  It is sponsored by United Way, Civitas, and the Ad Council.  The key purpose of the campaign is to increase awareness- especially among parents, families, and caregiers- about the benefits of early learning and to promote ways that we can help young children develop their learning. The local arm of the campaign is being promoted by the South Central Washington School Readiness Partnership, a coalition of more than 30 organizations and businesses, including ESD 105.

Check out the vast assortment of education materials available for you to print from the local campaign Web site, www.CentralWashingtonBornLearning.org. You'll find materials specially targeted for new parents, grandparents, and dads that cover such areas as reading development, family history connections, and child health tips. All downloadable flyers and posters are available in both English and Spanish versions. The site also contains quick facts and research findings that emphasize the importance of early learning and family relationships in a young child's life.  To learn more about Born Learning visit the national Born Learning website.