Our family has always held a “community focus”. We believe we’re all here to help make the community around us a better place and being present for those who are in need.
One of our favorite ways to be present and ready to help is through the United Way of Walworth County. That involvement goes all the way back to my grandmother as an active member in the Darien United Way. My mom continued that support and was integral in the Delavan-Darien United Way for many years after.
It was a natural fit for me when I took my turn, over 30 years ago, as an active supporter of the United Way of Walworth County. I was fortunate to serve on the Board of Directors, holding the positions of Board President-Elect and Board President. I was also involved with the transformation of the organization when it expanded from the Delavan-Darien United Way to the current United Way of Walworth County.
Today, our partnership with the United Way is centered on our company-matched payroll deduction program, which boasts 100% participation from our team. In 2024, our team combined to donate over $20,000 to the United Way and its 45+ agencies around our Walworth County!
Our annual United Way Kickoff party was held in January, and we invited Brian Holt, UWWC Executive Director, to address our team about the direction of the organization and the impact our team has on their efforts.
Holt shared that the UWWC board is as robust as it’s ever been, saying, “Our organization possesses momentum with a driven and growing volunteer board, committed local businesses, and energized community partners." He said there were three main goals this board was committed to supporting.
Serving the 50 Agencies that have Applied and are Receiving Funding from UWWC
UWWC had a successful year of fundraising with assistance from donations of all sizes. Combining these new funds with an active volunteer board and dedicated support staff will allow the organization to efficiently identify areas of need and distribute their funds appropriately to those agencies.
Shifting Funding Focus from Reactive to Proactive
While Walworth County's average household income is higher than many of the counties in the surrounding area, we have a larger portion of our county living in poverty.
UWWC is there to help those who experience a life crisis, such as eviction, living without a home, or falling into extreme debt. On average, it takes $40,000 to $60,000 to help someone in crisis become stable again. If UWWC can identify the risk and assist a person or family before that crisis, the average cost is dramatically reduced to only $1,000.
Increasing access and education of available services allows funds from our community to stretch further and make a larger impact.
Holt says the board intends to continue supporting those in an emergency but also increase efforts in the educational realm to avoid those critical situations altogether. These include increased attention to financial education at the high school level and ensuring everyone is aware and has access to the agencies available.
Addressing the Critical Housing Need
The final goal Holt highlighted was a long-term approach to creating a strong community. The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) in Walworth County provided our local leaders with data showing the lack of affordable housing was one of the greatest concerns in our area. The estimated need is around 1,000 entry-level housing units for those living in our county.
"If we do not start investing in where the next generation of the workforce is going to live, we are going to be in big trouble in the next 10 to 15 years,” said Holt.
The UWWC board is searching for creative solutions to the housing issue and is educating local officials on the policies needed to avert this critical path.
How Can You Join Our Team in Support of UWWC?
Donations to the United Way of Walworth County of any size can have a significant impact on our community. They’ve identified the greatest needs in our community and vetted those support agencies to ensure your donation has the greatest impact. Visit https://unitedwaywalworth.org/ to donate today.
Along with financial support, the UWWC is also looking for new volunteer members interested in joining a motivated team committed to making a meaningful impact in our county. If you would like to donate your time or talents to accomplishing this mission, send me a note at chris@stebnitzbuilders.com and I can connect you with this great organization!
Thank you for your consideration and support!
Chris