United Way of the Mohawk Valley

We believe everyone deserves respect and a fair chance. Every hour of every day, someone in Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer Counties needs essential services - from finding substance abuse assistance to securing adequate care for a child or an aging parent. In need of assistance but don't know where to start? 211 is here for you, 24/7, 365 days a year. ... www.211midyork.org

United Way of the Mohawk Valley seeks to understand the impacts of #COVID19 on your family please use this link to complete a 10-minute survey: https://uwnys.org/covid-19-ny/

Introducing Channel Your Flannel... 2020 Style! Join us and enter to win a $50 gift card! Here's how: 1) Join the Emerging Leaders United member group on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/612663449216147 2) Put on your favorite flannel.... 3) Visit any local pizzeria for a tasty bite (or take out!). 4) Take a photo of your flannel, your pizza, or you in your flannel with your pizza. 5) Post it to ELU's Facebook group for the chance to win a $50 gift card to your pizzeria of choice! 6) Watch our Facebook Live Stream at 5pm on November 16th as we draw the lucky winner! Learn more here: www.unitedwaymv.org/cyf

Happy Monday! We're back this week to introduce you to another amazing United Way team member! Jennifer Hagen started her career with United Way MV just over a month ago, and is already busy helping our Resource Development team run workplace campaigns for over 100 companies while also leading the Emerging Leaders United affinity group (Check out the ELU Member page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/612663449216147) Her biggest projects with ELU this month are coordinati...ng the Hygiene Drive, which runs from October 1st October 31st (www.unitedwaymv.org/hygiene), and planning the 7th annual Channel Your Flannel, taking place between November 1st and November 15th (www.unitedwaymv.org/CYF). More details to come soon! Read Jenn's full bio here: www.unitedwaymv.org/meet-jennifer

Are you, or someone you know, a Utica resident in need of food assistance? On October 25th, United Way of the Mohawk Valley, alongside Casa Imports and Karam produce, is distributing 1500 meal boxes full of fresh produce, meat, quality ingredients, and corresponding step-by-step recipe cards to make five delicious and healthy meals for a family of five. Don't wait to register for a box! Families and individuals can reserve their meal box and receive full distribution pick-u...p location and time details by texting UTICAFOOD to 898-211. More information here: https://www.unitedwaymv.org/uticafood

United Way MV has launched a unique food give away series for City of Utica residents! On Sunday, October 25, 2020, the first distribution of 1,500 boxes will take place in East Utica with two additional dates to follow. Do you, or someone you know, live in the City of Utica and need assistance with food? Text UTICAFOOD to 898-211 to register for a box! These meal boxes include ingredients to prepare 5 meals for a family of 5 with corresponding step-by-step recipe cards. U...nited Way has partnered with Casa Imports and Karam Produce, allowing families to expect fresh produce, meat, and other ingredients as part of their meal boxes. Each meal box will also include 50 disposable masks courtesy of Bank of America. Visit www.unitedwaymv.org/uticafood for more information.

Happy Monday! This week, we're introducing you to the one-and-only Betty-Joan Beaudry, Director of Community Impact and 211 MidYork. Betty-Joan has been with United Way for six years, and has helped pave the way for innovation in meeting our community's most complicated needs. "United Way's network provides a unique, forward looking perspective on how to best rethink our approach to improving outcomes. It’s fun to find a creative approach to a problem and help to make it happen here in the Mohawk Valley", says Betty-Joan. Read her full bio here: https://www.unitedwaymv.org/meet-bettyjoan

Emerging Leaders United Hygiene Drive kicked off today! Our office, at 258 Genesee St in Utica, is collecting the below items (via drop-off or by mail) to help support ELU's efforts in bringing necessary hygiene items to those who need it most in our community. The last day to drop off is October 31st. Items needed include: Deodorant Toothbrushes & Toothpaste... Cleaning Products Diapers, Pull Ups, Baby Wipes Laundry Detergent Body Wash & Bar Soap Shampoo Feminine Hygiene Products *Only full size, new items in their original unopened packaging can be accepted* This year, the Hygiene Drive is supporting Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, Catholic Charities of Oneida & Madison Counties, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc., Hope House, Utica, Foothills Rural Community Ministry, and The Salvation Army of Rome NY.

Our freshly painted mural at Pixley Park, in partnership with Empower Federal Credit Union, is finally complete! This past Friday, our volunteers put the finishing touches on this mural, with an anti-graffiti coating that will help protect it for years to come, and an awesome sign created and installed by Utica Sign and Graphics!

It's time to meet our Director of Marketing and Communications, Kristyn Bucciero-Beckwith! Kristyn puts her heart and soul into all of the marketing and communication efforts here at United Way, and recently completed one of her favorite projects, our annual campaign video. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/50dYFnrjJWI She's been with United Way for almost 8 years now, and says "Knowing that I can be a part of a team of people with the same mindset, coupled with und...eniable passion and willingness to do the hard work to make a difference in the lives of thousands of people - that is what makes working at United Way so empowering." Read her full bio here: https://www.unitedwaymv.org/meet-kristyn #LiveUnited #UWMV #MeetTheStaff

Join us to fight for the health , education and financial stability of every person our community. Make a positive change in your community today by donating to United Way MV: www.unitedwaymv.org/donate Don't forget to check out our 2020 campaign video below to see all of the life changing initiatives your donation would support.... https://youtu.be/50dYFnrjJWI See more

The College/Community Partnership for Racial Justice Reform, in partnership with The Community Foundation, Frontiers Club of the Mohawk Valley, and United Way of the Mohawk Valley, is performing a brief survey of Oneida and Herkimer County residents to help police departments formulate reform plans based on racial justice. Take part in the criminal justice survey, through United Way's 211 system, to have your voice heard! Text MVJustice to 898211, or click the link below to l...earn more. https://community4justice.org/ See more

Introducing United Way of the Mohawk Valley's "Meet the Staff" series, featuring a United Way staff member every Monday, with our R4K Program Manager, Julie Castor! Julie has been with United Way since 2017, and continues to help us make an incredible impact in our Ready for Kindergarten initiative. Read Julie's full bio here: https://www.unitedwaymv.org/meet-julie-castor

As COVID-19 prevents larger scale events from taking place, United Way's Events Committee put together Activity Kits for local families in place of hosting the Community Block Party this year. With the help of Berkshire Bank and a group of local sponsors, including Carbone Chevrolet and Utica Teachers Association, 200 kits were delivered to Johnson Park Center, The Salvation Army of Rome NY, and YMCA of the Mohawk Valley to hand out for free to families in need. https://www.unitedwaymv.org/family-activity-kits

Love working with kids? United Way of the Mohawk Valley is in search of a unique and dynamic individual to join their team as a Family School Navigator. Apply here: