Over the last five years, Linn County Family Treatment Court has been working to improve the welfare of children by educating and empowering parents battling substance abuse. This outstanding year-long program functions with the aid of the Linn County Juvenile Court, Iowa Children’s Justice, Linn County Decat, and a partnership of area organizations. Parents work through four phases before graduating with renewed parenting skills and sober self-confidence. On Giving Back Day, participants will take an opportunity to uplift their community through volunteerism.

“Linn County Family Treatment Court is a crucial part of the sobriety journey. The positive skills struggling parents learn during this process means the difference between a healthy life with their happy children, and a devastating path to self-destruction,” says Lori Hagg, Horizons Family Support Program Supervisor and member of the Linn County Family Treatment Court team. “Horizons could not be more humbled to welcome these volunteers on Giving Back Day, and we’re proud to help raise community awareness for Family Treatment Court programs.”

“Family Treatment Court provides an opportunity for families disrupted by parental substance abuse to receive intensive, coordinated services and support. The enhanced support provided allows us to keep many children safely at home, while their parent(s) works toward achieving and maintaining sobriety,” states Judge Susan Flaherty. “Keeping children safely at home in this way, rather than removing them from parental custody and placing them in foster care, is the best possible outcome for the child and family. After four years of working with the Family Treatment Court, I feel as if we are just beginning to realize the potential of this model to keep families safely together while they work through some pretty significant issues.”

Federal funding currently supports this life-changing program, however the grant dollars are soon to end. “As our federal grant winds down, I am hopeful that we will find the support in our community that is needed to sustain the project,” Flaherty states. Team members will volunteer at Horizons at 10:00 a.m. on May 17th. Horizons will offer a variety of options for this group to enjoy the fulfillment of giving back to our community.

- By Horizons

In all, there are 85 projects and 44 agencies are being helped.

Marc Gullickson, CEO at Ryan Companies in Iowa and who is chairing this year’s United Way campaign with wife Cathy, is one example of how Day of Caring brings the community together.

“We are encouraging our team to spend the day cleaning city trails,” Marc says. “It’s the perfect mix of public companies working through United Way projects to help the non-profit community as well as the City of Cedar Rapids.”

Projects include:
Wheel chair ramp builds
Several camp clean up projects
Landscaping projects
Downtown clean-up
A couple of trail clean-up projects
Deep cleaning at nonprofit agencies
Painting projects
Spring clean-up projects
Stock food pantries and boxing food for families
Light construction projects
Gardening projects at HACAP and Horizons
Park clean-up projects

This project has been incredible and nearly 3500 8th grade students will benefit from participation with the curriculum and the fair as a capstone event. We rely on volunteers from the schools and community to make these events successful.

Full description:
The students stop at the booths to buy transportation, food, utilities, housing, etc.
Volunteers will be working in groups and all of the materials will be provided to you the day of the fair.

The event is at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa Hall On May 18.
• 9:00-11:30 – McKinley Middle School
• 11:30-2:00 – Roosevelt Middle School

Lunch will be provided if you do both sessions.

Email Sue Driscoll to sign up.

For more on the app click here. Or to download it click here.

Video not playing? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

Does your United Way chapter want an app like this? Learn more from Karl Becker, the developer.

Sue Mueller and other United Way staff members are busy sorting out the shirts to deliver to companies who participate at Day of Caring

United Way staff are busy at work sorting the Day of Caring shirts that will be worn for the event this year. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012. This years sponsors are Nordstrom, Rockwell Collins, General Mills, United Fire Group, Toyota Financial Services, Milhiser Smith Foundation, HRGreen, Target, Quaker, Local 110, McGladrey, Clifton Larson Allen, Evergreen Packaging, Climate Engineers, Intermec, Mextera Energy, Cargill, Mercy, Whirlpool Amana, Benchmark Roof & Pavement Consultants, ImOn Communications, Genecor, SourceMedia, Raining Rose, Bankers Trust, TransAmerica, and Linn County Rural Electric will all be participating.

Day of Caring participants will be volunteering at various agencies and locations where their assistance is needed.

Many businesses have encouraged their employess to volunteer. Businesses include Alliant Energy, Anamosa High School FFA/Industrial Tech/BD, Bankers Trust, Benchmark, Inc, Breakfast of Champions, Cargill Inc., Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Cedar Rapids Zen Center, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, Climate Engineers, Inc., DCMA, Erb’s Technology Solutions, Evergreen Packaging, GE Capital, Genecor, General Mills, Holmes Murphy & Associates, HR Green Inc., Hunter’s Specialties, ImOn Communications, Intermec, J-TEC Associates, Kaplan University, Kirkwood Community College, Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, McBladrey, Mercy Medical Center, Millhiser Smith Agency, Neighborhood Insurance, New York Life Insurance, NextEra Energy Duane Arnold LLC, Nordstrom Direct, Ohnward Bank & Trust, Quaker Foods & Snacks (RWDSU-UFCW Local 110), Raining Rose, Rockwell Collins, Ryan Companies US Inc, SourceMedia Group, Target Stores, Toyota Financial Services, Transamerica, TrueNorth Companies, UAW Local 1024, US Bank, United Fire Group, United Way of East Central Iowa, US Cellular, Van Meter Inc, Veridian Credit Union, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Wells Fargo, Whirlpool Amana and Yellowbook.

United Way staff will be hosting a food drive on the same day at the Human Services Campus. For companies or individuals who would still like to participate in Day of Caring, this will be another great way to give back in the community. Items collected will be donated to HACAP’s Freedom from Hunger food drive.

The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) engages adults, age 55 and older, in volunteer service.  By investing time, these volunteers are a key contributor in solving problems in our community. Their life experience, knowledge and skills are valuable in making a difference to others.

Video not showing? Click here to watch it on YouTube.  You can also read a transcript below:

Jessica Link, United Way of East Central Iowa

“The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program, also known as RSVP, operates in both Linn and Jones County.   In Jones County our volunteers out there are specific to our transportation program.  Our transportation program in Jones County focuses on transporting elder, homebound senior citizens to non emergency medical appointments outside of Jones County.   So specifically our volunteers go and they pick up one of our clients and take them to their appointment, either in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque or Iowa City, and they stay with the clients during their appointment and then return them to their home again.”

Bob Eilers, RSVP volunteer:

“I’ve been volunteering with RSVP for about four to five years.  I take people in wheelchairs.  I take people that have walkers, canes.  They are in need of help and I love helping people to get them to where they are going to go.”

Joyce Gassman, RSVP client:

“I’ve had great drivers through the years.  It means a great deal to me.  I’ve been in the program since before 2008.  It means more to me each year.  It seems like I have a few more medical problems and there are occasions that I really, really need a driver.”

Bob Eilers:

“I haven’t found one yet that I haven’t liked or wasn’t willing to do this for.  They are all people who need the help and they really appreciate what we do for them.”

Jessica Link:

“That transportation program is a great need in that community because a lot of these individuals are more rural clients who are looking to stay in their rural communities but need that access to non emergency medical appointments in the bigger cities.  Our volunteers are a great resource for keep them in their homes and independent as long as possible while still providing them with the medical care that they need.”

Joyce Gassman:

“I just think we’re so lucky in Jones County to have this service.  I don’t know what I would do without it.  I would be dependent on somebody and I’m so glad to be dependent on RSVP.”

Bob Eilers:

“It’s a very good service, I mean, for the handicapped, elderly that need the help to get to Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Manchester or Iowa City.  I have been to every one of them and I like to help people.   I hope someday that this will be in existence if I or my wife or my brothers and sisters will need this service.”

Jessica Link:

“If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a RSVP volunteer, you can contact RSVP in Jones County at 319-560-0811 or go online at unitedwayofeastcentraliowa.org.”

Dave Herman & Sue Travis, 2011 Loaned Executives, Sponsored by Quaker Oats

What is the Loaned Executive Program?

The Loaned Executive Program is a community-wide leadership opportunity allowing select individuals to work as a part of United Way of East Central Iowa’s campaign team. Loaned Executives are the foundation of the annual campaign as each is responsible for an assigned portfolio of accounts and helps United Way raise over $10.5 million. Sponsor companies continue to pay their employee’s salary and benefits which allows United Way to minimize operating costs while maximizing the impact in the community.

“Working as a United Way Loaned Executive opened my eyes about the needs in our community and gave me the opportunity to help out. I was also able to create new and lasting friendships through this experience.” – Sue Travis, Quaker Oats

Benefits of Supporting the Loaned Executive Program:

For the Sponsor:

• Strengthen associations with other companies through your employee’s working relationships.
• Heighten your company’s public image as a visible corporate community citizen.
• Printed recognition in campaign-related materials and in the annual report.
• Gain a more skilled and knowledgeable employee.

For the Loaned Executive:

• Enhanced set of skills in sales, management, team building, marketing, leadership, customer service, problem solving and public speaking.
• Develop valuable contacts with the business community.
• Enhanced sensitivity to community needs.

For United Way:

• Minimized overhead expenses associated with the campaign.
• Increased contributions to fund priority health and human service issues in our community.
• Gain a developed pool of trained and knowledgeable Loaned Executive Alumnae for volunteer recruitment and community service.
• Provides access to pool of employees with leadership potential.
• Maximizes volunteer and fundraising efforts.

For more information, or to enroll please contact:

Aileen Simmons • 319-398-5381 ext. 21 • asimmons@uweci.org