Mission: To lead, sustain and nurture a unified, effective response to community needs.

Programs: Marketing overview: communicating our message effectively is essential to raise awareness about sioux empire united way and the impact we have on the community. The marketing team, which consists of two staff members and a team of seven community volunteers, uses the following strategies to communicate to the public. Events "thank you event - each year we have a soup and salad luncheon to thank our volunteers. Additionally, we recognize outstanding volunteers, businesses, and community leaders at the event. Over 400 individuals attended the event in february of 2017."womenunite event - the 2017 date is wednesday, august 16.The event educates and inspires women about the initiative or other worthwhile programs. Women are asked to inform others about the new initiative, provided volunteer opportunities around the new initiative, and encouraged to invest in sioux empire united way. Approximately 900 women are expected to attend the event this year. "kickoff - mark your calendars for tuesday, september 12, to help us kickoff the campaign. All volunteers, partner agencies, and business leaders are invited. The campaign chair is introduced and the program includes information about the new initiative, client testimonials, goal announcement, etc. 500+ people attend. "emerging leaders annual celebration - in 2016, launched our newest leadership group, emerging leaders. The group's main focus will be on serving and learning more about the needs of united way funded agencies. Annual celebration is scheduled for thursday, april 20.Materials "campaign materials - work with lawrence & schiller to a video, brochure and print collateral. "other materials - all other materials including invitations, event programs, some pledge cards, and more are created in-house. Electronic/social media "campaign updates - this is an update of how the campaign is going. It is sent to our volunteers on a bi-weekly basis from july through january by email. It includes highlights of company campaigns, rally ideas, success stories, current events, volunteers, etc. Over 600 volunteers received the updates during the 2017 campaign. "e-updates - updates are sent out to all sioux empire united way supporters by email twice a month. The updates include timely information, updates on specific programs, area volunteer opportunities, stories from local clients, and information about united way. Nearly 10,600+ people currently receive the updates. "website - we use this as a marketing tool and to get information out to our volunteers. The hits on the site are highest during the campaign season. The content is updated through the year, featuring upcoming events, the latest news, and program features. "social media - social media provides united way a platform to educate members of the community about needs of the community, results of our partner programs, client stories and more. The venue is also used to address any questions or concerns that may arise about united way in a timely fashion. Seuw has a presence on facebook, twitter, instagram, and linkedin. Other "media coverage -we receive coverage on our events and through different story ideas submitted to local media. This past year, we worked with funded agencies and programs to provide educational stories about uw and funded programs each month. We also encourage our partner agencies and programs to include that they are a sioux empire united way program in any of their media releases. "year round communication: we partner with more than 70 companies to provide in-house year round communication. We work with designated individuals within the companies to communicate with our supporters all year long. "agency tours - marketing staff ensure that all united way volunteers receive an invite to attend an agency tour during the summer. Tours are provided by partner agencies as a tool for our volunteers and supporters to learn more about how their gift is working in the sioux empire. Over 150 people participate in tours during the past campaign. "speaker's bureau - each summer, we identify and train speakers from each of united way's partner agencies. These agency speakers are then our voice while speaking at various companies' united way rallies in the fall. We also assist those companies in selecting and scheduling speakers for their rallies.

recruited and trained approximately 13 new volunteers for the division. 100 volunteers on 12 impact teams donated over 1,500 hours. Over 8 million to 88 program and 40 non-profit organizations. Through the annual funding process, volunteers made difficult decisions shifting dollars to meet areas of need for the 2018 funding year. The volunteers decreased funding in the amount of 636,000 and provided increased funding in the amount of 705,000.We funded 12 community impact grants (programs in existence less than 3 years) for a total of 196,510.Initiative work: school-based mental health (path) continued work was done to further expand this program. In 2017, (both through community impact grant funding and initiative start-up funds) we helped lutheran social services provide 68 students with over 750 counseling sessions within their own school building. Schools served: harrisburg, tea, canton, sioux falls. In 2018, the program will be expanded into dell rapids and potentially brandon valley and the sioux falls catholic schools as well. Harmony south dakota - determined in 2017 that it will be the upcoming 2019 initiative began receiving community impact grant funds in 2015.In 2017, it was decided that 120,250 to be built into the 2019 campaign as the initiative. This will provide 80 youth with the opportunity to gain important life skills and allow them to become our productive citizens of tomorrow. Through this program, each child is guaranteed the opportunity to spend 420 hours each year in an encouraging, safe, and structured environment that teaches self-discipline, respect, and the ability to work cooperatively with others through music.

after school harmony south dakota is a free after-school music program that provides opportunities for children ages 6 and up to participate in string orchestra, percussion ensembles, musicianship classes, and private instrumental lessons. Last year 62 participants spent 420 hours in instruction through the program. Student's teachers surveys showed that 66% of students showed a significant improvement in their ability to concentrate, listen and follow instructions. Kidstop provides a free after school and summer recreation program for students in grades k-8.Last year an average of 50 children and 6 middle-schoolers attended daily. 88% of regularly attending participants make progress on power of asset building chart, which leads to academic success. Lutheran social services' after-school and summer programs emphasizes hands-on activities to keep children engaged in learning outside of school hours. Last year, 114 children participated in afterschool and summer programs, with an average daily attendance of 65 children. 97 of the total children come from low-income families, allowing them to participate in quality programs even if their family cannot afford to pay the full cost of attending. Here4youth provides out of school time care for youth with special needs and their siblings. Last year, they served 91 youth during out of school hours and 15 youth for weekend respite care. Sioux falls family ymca's middle school after school program provided a variety of activities to 1,102 students at five middle schools last year. 76% of those students feel that the program has helped them become a better person. Volunteers of america, dakota's kidz count program provides afterschool services to students ages 5-12 who are enrolled at terry redlin elementary. The program provides at least 30 minutes of physical activity, a full afternoon meal, homework assistance, and other activities. Last year, 39 students participated in the program. Basic needs community outreach's crisis care program provides information and referrals to local agencies and emergency financial assistance for basic needs items, including shelter, utilities, and employment related transportation. Last year, 1,623 individuals and families received financial assistance and 6,772 individuals and families received information and referrals. Community outreach's genesis mentoring program pairs volunteer mentors with homeless or near homeless families and individuals to help stabilize and focus on financial literacy. Last year, 62 households were served through genesis. 94% of participants achieved or maintained permanent housing one year after entering the genesis program. Feeding south dakota's backpack program provides 3,331 children at 43 sites within the sioux empire with food for the weekend. Furniture mission receives donations of gently used furniture and then distributes through social service agency referrals. Last year, 1,691 referrals were served. Interlakes community action partnership's heartland house provides transitional housing for homeless families and their children, serving 103 families last year. 36% of participants gained financial self sufficiency and 82% of entered permanent stable housing after completing program. Sioux falls housing & redevelopment commission's family self sufficiency program assists low-income individuals and adult family members, who are receiving housing assistance, with eliminating barriers to attaining education and employment skills. Last year, 139 participants received one-on-one assistance and had the opportunity to attend different workshops. 7 participants completed the program last year. 5 of the graduates became totally or partially self-sufficient. St. Francis house provides transitional housing and case management for families, serving 22 families, 39 children and 367 single individuals last year. Volunteers of america, dakota's summit heights program is a 36-unit affordable housing community in the pettigrew heights neighborhood. The program provides residents with services that assist with: family strengthening, chemical dependency, re-entry, life skills education, and children's services. Last year, 112 individuals utilized summit heights housing and services. Volunteers of america, dakota's veteran services center is a comprehensive resource for veterans. It provides a daytime shelter with meals and snacks, free laundry and shower services, and case management to assist with emergency financial needs. The center can assist with obtaining identity documents, stabilize crisis situations, and assist veterans with referrals to other available services. Last year, 508 veterans were served by the program. ? Child care boys & girls clubs of the sioux empire's early childhood education program provides quality childcare and education programs for young children. Last year, 268 children received quality child care that includes early childhood education curriculum. 84% of children entering kindergarten demonstrated proficiency on their academic assessment. Boys & girls clubs of the sioux empire's infant & toddler program provides quality childcare for infants and toddlers. Last year, 315 children received quality child care. Embe's childcare program serves children ages 4 weeks to 5 years. Last year, an average of 317 children attended the center daily and 99% of the age-appropriate children passed the kindergarten readiness screening. Inter-lakes community action partnership's sioux falls center provides high quality early childhood development services to low-income and special needs children. 133 children were enrolled last year and all their parents either worked or attended school. United day care provided quality care for 132 children ages 2-10 last year. 100% of age appropriate children were ready to enter kindergarten and 258 parents were able to work or attend school. Volunteers of america, dakotas' child care & family literacy center provided 258 children with quality care last year. Little blessings childcare center through volunteers of america, dakotas focuses on providing care for children of new start participants, a chemical treatment program for mothers. Last year, 144 children were served. Counseling children's connection, a program of family connection provides weekly support groups, family events, and more to children whose parent or close family member has been incarcerated. Last year, 303 students participated in the weekly groups at 12 local elementary and middle schools. Embe's dress for success program promotes economic independence of women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help them strive in work and life. Last year, the program provided 182 interview suitings, and had 79 career center clients. 395 individuals benefitted from the program in total. 50% of clients attained employment. Family services' counseling program provides a variety of services, including marriage and family, parent/child, alcohol/drugs, depression, anxiety, and stress. Last year 9,302 hours of service were provided, including direct client contact, as well as work related contacts with employers, and contact with dss, courts, schools, etc. The heuermann counseling clinic through family services utilizes volunteer counselors to provide counseling services to clients who are low income and have no other means to pay for services. Last year, 1,001 hours of counseling service were provided. Lutheran social services' fatherhood & re-entry services assists fathers and mothers who have recently been released from jail or prison successfully re-integrate into their families and communities. Last year, 77 parents participated completed the training classes and 616 hours of case management were provided. Lutheran social services' center for financial resources helps consumers find solutions to their financial concerns through financial counseling services and debt management programs. Last year, the program provided 1,631 counseling sessions and 547 active debt management plans. 149 clients successfully completed debt management plan; 2,111,602 in debt was paid off by participants through debt management plans. Lutheran social services' counseling services serves children, adults, families, and couples who are struggling with a wide array of mental health concerns. Last year 1,151 people were provided 4,909 hours of counseling. 78% of participants demonstrated some level of achievement towards their goals. Lutheran social services' path program partners with area school districts to meet the mental health needs of k-12 students in their schools. Path eliminates barriers so that children and teens can get professional individual mental health counseling at school during the school day. Last year, 68 students participate in 756 counseling sessions at 20 schools across 4 districts. Sad isn't bad was developed specifically to help children who are experiencing grief. Last year, 34 child