United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties
1338 Commerce Avenue, Suite 211
Longview, WA 98632
Tel: 360-423-5320
Fax: 360-423-8162
http://CowlitzUnitedWay.org
United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties is considered a “full-service” United Way – it is a community problem-solving institution and manages resources to increase the capacity of people to care for one another. Cowlitz County United Way impacts our community by raising and distributing money to local organizations. It also operates, supports or oversees direct services that include the Day of Caring, The Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network, WIN 211, Born Learning, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and in-kind donations of services and materials.
Community Impact
To respond to the changing environment, Cowlitz County United Way has transformed itself to more effectively position the organization to take action to address tomorrow’s needs and opportunities. The organization has transformed from primarily a fund raising and allocating organization to an organization that focuses its efforts to achieve measurable results by addressing a select number of community issues affecting families and individuals, utilizing a variety of strategies.
This transformation is critical to ensure that United Way can fulfill its promise to all donors and the community and serve our dual role of fund raising and changing community conditions to improve lives.
To initiate this process the United Way Board of Directors approved the formation of three impact targets and two targets of great interest to better focus the work of United Way. The five target areas are as follows:
NURTURING CHILDREN AND YOUTH:
All children are insured the opportunity to succeed through proper nurturing, education, health care, and development of appropriate life skills.
STARS
STARS is a program designed to provide enhanced outpatient treatment services to pregnant/parenting women. Cowlitz County United Way has helped to finance the program since it was started.
STARS has become the “cornerstone” for DAPC’s attempt to break the cycle of babies being born with drugs in their systems. STARS has led to the development of a 180-day residential treatment program that started in August 2005 for 16 pregnant/parenting women and 16 of their children (ages 0-6). STARS was also the impetus for DAPC’s Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP), which also started in August 2005. PCAP provides for intensive case management for pregnant/postpartum women and their children.
Born Learning
United Way of America and United Way Success By 6 are partnering with the Ad Council, Civitas and Families and Work Institute to create Born Learning, an innovative public engagement campaign that helps parents, caregivers and communities create quality early learning opportunities for young children. Born Learning is designed as a tool for long-lasting community change that supports young children.
STRENGTHENING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES:
Individuals and families have a basic right to be secure and free from problems that diminish their stability. As a result, individuals and families enhance relationships and promote the vitality of our community.
Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network
AmeriCorps Members promote volunteerism and help increase the capacity of traditional volunteer organizations throughout Cowlitz County.
Our members tutor children, assist immigrants, mentor youth, conduct parenting classes, and deliver mental health services to children & adults. They increase access and involvement of residents with community activities and social resources. Volunteers, through service, increase their knowledge and skills while they enhance the quality of life for youth and families in Cowlitz County. Members receive a living stipend during their term of service and earn an education award following the successful completion of an eleven-month program.
PROMOTING HEALTH AND HEALING:
All individuals have a right to basic health care, including healthy lifestyles, treatment of physical, mental, and addictive illnesses. As a result individuals become healthier and more involved members of our community.
The United Way of Cowlitz County is also focused on making an impact in the following areas:
SUPPORTING OLDER ADULTS:
Older adults deserve the opportunity to live independently, to be secure and to remain active, contributing, and productive members of our community.
PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS
All individuals have a right to access food, shelter, and other basic needs. Meeting these needs will help people to live independently and with dignity in our community.
Family Wize
FamilyWize is a community service partnership established to reduce the cost of medicine for children, families and individuals with no prescription drug coverage by $100 million in five years.
Disclaimer: Living Ministries is not affiliated with this organization. Our goal is help you find the resources you are looking for. Living Ministries does not keep track of the resource levels of the organization listed here. Please be kind to the people that help you regardless of the limits of this organization.
