Serves You Right

I think I was 13 the first time I walked into United Way's building on Reading Road.

I wasn't the organization's youngest intern, and I wasn't beginning my career as an 8th grader.

No, I was seeking out a volunteer opportunity as part of a confirmation obligation.

My mom took me to the "Community Chest" building, as it was called back in the day, to meet with someone who could place me with an assignment that fit our family's schedule and availability. After all, someone had to drive me to this mythical volunteer opportunity, right?

This was a commitment for my parents just as much as it was for me.

My recollection is hazy, but I remember sitting in a staff member's cube (it's killing me that I can't remember who it was, but then again, I was 13) for about 15 minutes or so, then leaving with an assignment at a senior center/nursing home facility in Montgomery.

My first day was scary - I had never really interacted with adults without my parents, and I wasn't quite as confident on my own. I also was a bit uneasy about seeing some of the seniors who needed more care. I didn't know how to communicate with them, and I wasn't sure if they wanted to communicate with me.

Over time, I really enjoyed the experience - making crafts and singing songs with the residents. I also loved it when they told me jokes or let me wheel their chairs to their rooms for them.

Truth be told, I was also a big fan of spending a couple bucks on soda and candy at the nursing home's vending machines.

The experience was my first foray in volunteering, and it helped me realize how important it is to give back what you can.

For me, it's time.

Twenty years later, a good chunk of my personal life is dedicated to voluntarism. Just last night, I spent a couple hours singing Christmas carols, stringing lights on a tree and enjoying cupcakes with children staying at a local battered women's shelter. While the moms joined us for the festivities, they all insisted the occasion was a way for the children to have a fun holiday moment in light of personal difficulty.

"Thanks for coming here and letting the kids have a nice evening," said one mom to me as another woman's baby sat in her lap, complete with rosy cheeks.

That's all the thanks I really need when volunteering. In fact, I don't really need any thanks. I'd much prefer a quality, one-on-one moment with an individual with whom I can pay my blessings forward.

And maybe a trip to the vending machine.

$2.84 - the Worst Cup of Coffee I Ever Had

In an effort to keep warm during this week's blast of cold air, I stopped for a coffee at a local drive thru on my way back to the office from an early morning meeting. A busy local drive thru on the edge of one of our community's most challenged neighborhoods.

The drive thru line was long and I was in a hurry, so I pulled into a parking space to take my chances inside. As I left my car I noticed a young man standing just to the right of the drive thru line. He was near a large panel truck taking up more than one parking space, so I figured perhaps he was there to make sure the line would break and allow the driver the ability to maneuver the truck out of the space. Smart.

Inside, I found a shorter line and a merry staff -- the snow flurries and biting winds were obviously good for business. Folks in front of me were buying breakfast pastries and fancy lattes. A bit of a coffee snob myself, I wasn't sure this place could make a good latte, so I was planning on ordering their version of a red eye -- coffee with a shot of espresso.

I rationalized the extra cost for the espresso was well worth it, paid the $2.84 with my debit card and headed back outside, hot drink in hand.

Before I got back to the car I heard someone call 'ma'am, excuse me ma'am'. I hate being called ma'am -- that's my mom, not me. But I turned and found it was the boy by the truck calling me.

'I hate to bother you, but could you spare any change? I'd like a cup of coffee.'

Ten different thoughts ran through my head as I formulated my reply: He must be cold. Oh, he's not with the truck. Wow, smart place to seek spare change. I don't have any change. I could tell him to call 2-1-1. If he has a phone?

That was probably the worst cup of coffee I ever had.

United Way 211 reached 100,000 calls from folks in Greater Cincinnati just a few weeks back. That's more than ever in one year and the year's not over yet. Help with food, shelter, utility assistance -- it's all just a call away. Or check out the resources online at www.uwgc.org/211

A Family In Need

ProKids families are often helped by church groups or other individuals during the Holidays. However, the organization has one family whose need is so great that they are asking the entire community for assistance.

It is a family of 8 children who need the basics -- shoes, coats, laundry detergent and other personal products.

If you would like to join with others to help this family, please contact Sandi Cook (Holiday Giving Coordinator and Volunteer Extraordinaire) at sandi.prokids@gmail.com or 702-4733 for more information.

Volunteer for the Holidays - Sign Up Now!

The holidays are a great time to volunteer. Many people are on vacaton from work and school, and brightening the day of someone who needs it is a wonderful way to use some of that time while giving back to the community. But wait too long to sign up and the opportunity could be filled. I once found myself in a city away from my family, unable to get home for the holidays, and got rejected from helping out at all the places I called because I had waited too long.

Below are a few December 25 ideas to check out from United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s special holiday edition of the Volunteer and Go Guide. Be sure to check the Guide or the contact listed below for more information, including any minimum age/minor accompaniment requirements:

• Help prepare, set up and serve the meal and clean up. Call ahead to sign up.

- Feast of Love Ministries, 45224. Contact: Karen Lane, 513-541-5676.
- Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky, Covington, 41011. Contact: Lucinda Groves, 859-431-1077 or lgroves@mhanky.org.
- Our Daily Bread, 45202. Contact: Kathy Ray, 513-621-6364 or kathy@ourdailybread.us.

• Deliver a hot turkey dinner with flowers to an older adult who would otherwise spend the holiday alone. The visit is just as important as the meal, if not more so. Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly, 45239. Contact: Karen D’Alessandro, 513-542-7555 or kdalessandro.cin@littlebrothers.org.

If you miss out on an opportunity on the big day itself, consider other holiday volunteer ideas. These include helping out with the toy train exhibit at Behringer Crawford Museum, Covington, 41011; holiday preparations, FreestoreFoodbank, 45202; Holiday in Lights, Hamilton County Park District, 45231; gift wrapping, Holly Hill Children's Home, California, KY, 41007; holiday party, St. Joseph Orphanage, 45239; Toy Shop (45202) or Red Kettle Campaign (various locations), The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati; sleigh drivers, stocking elves, Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc., Covington, 41011.

But why stop with the holidays? Your time and talents are needed year-round. Help out as a tutor or mentor for youth, prepare taxes to help hardworking families, spend time with an older adult, and more. Search the quarterly Volunteer and Go Guide to check out the United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s The Volunteer Connection’s secure searchable database or call United Way 211 (dial 2-1-1) to find the right opportunity for you.

Walk the Talk for Your Children - Volunteer Now

At this time of year, lots of parents think about getting their young children involved in volunteering. And, while the holidays can be an excellent time to start, don’t worry if you miss this opportunity in December. You can walk this talk any time of year.

My own parents set the tone for me, volunteering at church and school events. I got involved in my local community as a young teen and continued through high school. Then after a break and once my child was in kindergarten, I decided it was time to get back to giving back and start setting an example.

I also wanted my only-child to experience life from the viewpoint that it wasn’t always about just him. I chose an area of interest – literacy tutoring – and found myself at the library every Monday night. If, for some reason, my husband was not available at home, the kid came along with his own books, crayons, etc. I continued as a volunteer and eventually became a Court Appointed Special Advocate with ProKids for children in the juvenile court system for abuse and neglect.

The result? As a teen, my son became involved as a volunteer at the YMCA. As a college student, he spent a spring break in New Orleans cleaning up after Hurricane Katrina and then served a year in AmeriCorps following graduation. As a grad student, he has chosen a school in a city far from home so that he can be more involved as a volunteer around climate issues. And he could end up in the Peace Corps one day. So yes, your example will likely create a lasting impression on your children and a sense of passion for issues that concern them. You just may end up amazed at the direction it leads and proud of the passion you have instilled.

Looking for volunteer ideas that fit your interests? Visit www.uwgc.org/volunteer or call United Way 211 (dial 2-1-1).

The Holiday Spirit Over The Telephone Line

The holidays can be hard.

Between the parties and the gifts and the implied obligations and the expenses - the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas sometimes carry an undue burden.

And don't even get me started on the stress of all the family togetherness.

I've come to know lots of people who are coping with hardship this holiday season. These friends have either lost their jobs in the crippled economy or have taken significant pay cuts in a move to keep the family afloat.

Whenever these people tell me about their struggles, I am quick to tell them about United Way 211. Whether you need help paying your utility bill, or are looking for a volunteer opportunity to pad your resume while in transition, this help line is a great resource for folks in need.

My other favorite part of 211 is how this number is a great place to turn if you're feeling the warm fuzzies during the holiday season and searching for an opportunity to give back. The call specialists on the other end of the line have hundreds of volunteer opportunities at their fingertips. Looking to mentor a child? Have a desire to roll up your sleeves and put some sweat equity into a home for a family becoming first time homeowners? 211 can pair you with a volunteer opportunity that meets your desires and availability.

How's that for spreading the Christmas Spirit?

Vote And Make Long Lasting Change

Each of us has a right and responsibility to head to the polls tomorrow.

With your ballot, you have the power to express your opinions on a variety of issues that will impact Greater Cincinnati's families, individuals and neighborhoods.

That's why United Way of Greater Cincinnati is taking a stand and supporting four following ballot initiatives that compliment our commitment to supporting education, income and health in the region.

Issue 4
Everybody deserves the chance to fight drug and alcohol addiction and get their life back on track after battling substance abuse.

Right?

United Way supports Issue 4 because it aims to provide family health and hospitalization services and treatment programs and aim to keep 1,500 out of Hamilton County's jail system each year. This levy has the potential to impact families all across the county, especially those families working to help loved ones fight drug addiction.

Issue 4 will provide services for substance abusers, treatment and a halfway house for DUI offenders, assistance with those inmates transitioning back into society and a program to help women get out of prostitution.

These are scenarios that can destroy a family. Issue 4 aims to help folks break the cycle and establish the essential patterns for a healthy life.

The levy would raise $37.3 million over five years. The levy would cost a $100,000 homeowner $10.09 annually - that's $10.64 less than the Drake Levy (which covers similar services, but expires this year).

Issue 5
This tax levy has the potential to provide critical services to people with mental, medical emotional and physical problems. Services include individual care, respite care, training, schools and other education for those folks.

In Ohio, MRDD support rely greatly on county tax dollars. This new levy will not cover the current standard of services provided in Hamilton County - a consultant estimated these services would cost $445 million over the next five years to account for inflation. The proposed levy only accounts for $388 million over five years, but County Commissioners felt it was a bit difficult to ask taxpayers for more more money during the current period of economic hardship.

The proposed levy would ask a taxpayer with a $100,000 home to pay $104.44 per year.

Issue 7
A library's resources can unlock adventure for children and grown ups alike. Whether it's the latest children's book to hit the shelves or vital internet access that helps an adult seek higher education, libraries are essential to a strong and thriving society.

United Way supports Issue 7, a new levy for the County public library system. This levy will provide funding for staffing, operating costs, maintenance and facility improvements. The State of Ohio cut its library funding by 28 percent, creating a $16 million deficit in the library system's 2010 budget.

Circulation is at an all-time high, and the library has cut hours, reduced staffing and postponed or cancelled capital projects in an effort to be fiscally responsible. Without additional money, the system may have to close 15 to 20 branch libraries.

One of those branches could be in your neighborhood.

The Library currently receives ZERO funding from the City of Cincinnati or Hamilton County - that's quite unusual, considering Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton all support their respective library systems with property taxes.

This tax levy intends to support a resource that supports early care and education, creates access to job information and Earned Income Tax Credit initiative services and provide a safe and positive setting for latchkey children.

The proposed levy would cost $29.68 in new property taxes for a homeowner with property valued at $100,000.

Issue 52
Tax dollars are imperative to maintaining and improving the Cincinnati Public Schools system. Issue 52 aims to renew an operating levy that was first approved by the people back in 1980. This tax levy makes up for 14 percent of the district's total operating budget.

This levy DOES NOT raise taxes.

The State trimmed the '09-'10 CPS budget by $6 million, leading the district to cut personnel by 1,100 and make other cuts to produce a $467 million balanced budget.

CPS is upgrading some of its school buildings, using taxpayer-approved bond money that cannot be shifted to support school operations.

The proposed levy would provide about $325 million per year for five years.

---------------------------
If you'd like to read more about all of the issues facing voters at tomorrow's polls, please visit the League of Women Voters site. If you need to know more information about the location of your polling place, please visit the Board of Elections site.

Wear It On Your Sleeve

I've been advocating for important issues since I was four-years-old.

It started way back on a sunny spring day in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sunshine is at a premium during that time of year in the Twin Cities, and the weather must have made an impression on me as I played at a park with the rest of my Montessori class.

There we were, running around the swings and slides, when one of my classmates offered me a big, red, stop sign-shaped sticker denouncing acid rain.

I happily grabbed that Stop Acid Rain! sticker and slapped it on my metal, Holly Hobby lunch box.

To this day, my mom says that's when she knew I was going to grow up to be an activist.

Since that glorious day near Lake Minnetonka, I have trumpeted issues that matter most to me. I've gotten involved in political campaigns and used my personal blog as a forum to champion ideas important to my community.

I am committed to using my passion, my energy, my time to making a difference.

Whether I help make change in the community, in my neighborhood or in one person's life, I am confident my work is making our world just a wee bit better.

Everyone has the potential to advocate. If you have Facebook or Twitter, use your avatar to raise awareness for a cause that's important to you. If you have a stretch of lawn in front of your home, raise a yard sign informing your neighbors about an issue you care about.

Next time you join a friend for coffee or a cocktail, take a moment to tell them what you really care about, and how they can help support your cause.

Heck. Plaster your car with bumper stickers.

Just get the message out.

We each have a voice and a channel for advocacy. It's not just about writing your lawmakers about issues that need attention - it's about telling your family, friends and co-workers why they should care about something that's important to you.

Sharing the message is one way we can rally the troops.

Even the little four-year-olds.


This is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

The Price of Produce (and meat, and eggs, and bread, and...)

Three days away from payday, and I am cutting corners.

So goes the ebb and flow of my financial forecast. Once the paycheck rolls in, I dole out what's required to cover my debts and financial obligations, saving what's left to fill the gas tank, cover my grocery expenses and otherwise support my thriving social life.

Life tends to get a little leaner the further out I am from payday.
Those leaner, meaner days mean cracking open tuna cans stockpiled in the pantry for just the occasion or forgoing a night out on the town for a cozy evening in with a cheap (but equally tasty) Three Buck Chuck or something comparable.

I am intimately familiar with scraping by until the day of my next direct deposit. This is less of a reflection on my salary and more a reflection on my ability to manage finances, but I digress.

Times can be tough for just about anyone.

In regards to my more frugal circumstances, today's lunch presented something of a challenge.

How does one eat a meal for less than $3.50?

Such a daunting task is possible when one plans accordingly - preparing a meal at home and packing it up before work, or toting along a one-dollar frozen meal from the discount section of the grocery freezer case.

But when an individual (read: me) is lazy and less inclined to plan ahead on occasion, said individual is forced to hunt-and-gather for food at fast food joints close to the office.

I made it back to my cube with a McChicken sandwich, small fries and small diet soda - my wallet only $3.18 lighter after the trip.

My lunch time challenge and results made me think about the cost of an average meal around the world, and how my three-bucks-and-change respite is likely an extravagance when compared to what other people have to spend on lunch.

I just crossed this interesting piece on the cost of groceries around the world, and the related explanation of how the prices were assessed. While India turns out to be the world's source for most inexpensive groceries, the price of eggs and bread is still probably too steep for a country coping with up to 42 percent of its population below the international poverty line.

India isn't the only place coping with poverty.

Right here in Greater Cincinnati, we have people struggling to cover their utility bills and rent. Local families and individuals are stretching even further, hoping to make ends meet and put food on the table every evening.

Thankfully, United Way 211 is here to help those in need. Whether you need assistance in buying groceries, or are interested in finding a quality child care program for your little one, United Way 211 is a resource for anyone needing almost any kind of help.

United Way 211 is also a great source for people seeking opportunities to give help.

You can learn more about United Way 211 by clicking here.

If you'd like to support United Way's work to create change and improve lives across Greater Cincinnati, please click here.

Living United at the Hometown Huddle

Geoffrey Pope of the Cincinnati Bengals and Karen Snyder and Nickol Mara of United Way of Greater Cincinnati read over instructions before beginning the '09 Hometown Huddle project in Price Hill.

Daniel Coates of the Cincinnati Bengals, Yolanda Miller of United Way and Roy Williams of the Cincinnati Bengals pause for a photo break at the Hometown Huddle - a joint effort between United Way and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Michelle Rummel of United Way teams up with Domata Peko of the Cincinnati Bengals for the '09 Hometown Huddle project, which involved building a pars course for children and a community garden at the Price Hill Community Center.


Carol Aquino and Rob Reifsnyder of United Way of Greater Cincinnati meet with organizers and volunteers at the '09 Hometown Huddle.

Volunteers Bob Kobman and Nate Wolff of Sherman Williams go over the plans to build a shed at the '09 Hometown Huddle.

J.P. Foschi of the Cincinnati Bengals helps other volunteers build a fence at the '09 Hometown Huddle project in Price Hill.


United Way Loaned Executive Becky Fellerhoff of Macy's puts on her LIVE UNITED t-shirt to help build some children's exercise equipment at the '09 Hometown Huddle community project.


Cincinnati Bengal Bobbie Williams digs in and helps build children's exercise equipment at the '09 Hometown Huddle project in Price Hill.

You can check out more Hometown Huddle pictures by visiting our Facebook page.

Good Company.

An engineer. A clinical psycologist. A commercial real estate professional.

I was in pretty good company at Friday's Youth Succeed Impact Council meeting. The volunteers around the table come from varied professional and personal backgrounds, but they come together because they're passionate about ensuring youth in our community have every opportunity to succeed.

They, and dozens of other volunteers, aren't just wearing the shirt. They're living it. With concern. With integrity. With perspective. With knowledge. Some for mere weeks. Others for years ranging from two to 30+.

That's what I call Living United.

Learn more about ways you can Live United at www.wecanliveunited.org.

We're Not Alone

You may or may not know UWGC is one of several hundred United Ways across the country. Each is locally governed operated, yet despite our varied geographies, we're very much about Living United. Not just wearing the shirt, but bringing those words to life to benefit our communities each and every day.

Our friends in Kansas just took telling the story of what it means to wear the shirt to a whole new level. Check out their Live United video here.

Once you stop chuckling, find out more about how we Live United in Greater Cincinnati here.

Step By Step

I think I probably started volunteering when I was seven.

Give or take a year, that's how old I was when I joined Girl Scouts. Ours was a troop that focused on helping others who were less fortunate than us. We helped orchestrate canned good drives and other projects that aimed to support those in need.

Even as a little girl in a Brownies uniform (yes, complete with the brown, felt beanie), I felt the *warm fuzzies* that come with doing a good deed.

As I got older, volunteering was something required for my confirmation in a suburban Cincinnati church. I think we were expected to fulfill 40 hours in a designated time frame - a fair accomplishment for a group of 15-year-old 8th graders.

Some of my time was spent at a local senior citizens' home, making crafts, singing songs and helping the ladies and gentlemen with simple tasks like getting around the facility or maybe eating their lunch.

That was my first exposure with seniors - an experience I appreciate because it showed me the frailty of life at that age. These were folks whose bodies couldn't keep up with their minds. They needed a little TLC and attention to accomplish the tasks they regarded as simple even a decade prior.

My favorite volunteer opportunity involved helping campers at Stepping Stones Center's summer camp. Stepping Stones is a United Way agency partner with programs that receive support from contributions made by donors like you and me.

Stepping Stones offers a day camp that lets children with disabilities explore everything you'd expect at any other summer camp - crafts, nature, swimming, sports and music. At 14, I helped wheelchair-bound kids find the same freedom I found in a swimming pool. We sat at the same picnic tables and enjoyed brown bag lunches after morning craft sessions.

While I experienced the entire opportunity as a volunteer, I was struck by how much fun I had at the camp. My time at Stepping Stones also showed me that people with disabilities were just like me - they had fun in the water and enjoyed forming new friendships over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and juice boxes.

These young brushes with voluntarism made me realize how important it is to me to give back my time to worthy causes.

Someday when I have children, I'll insist they roll up their sleeves and commit to a few hours of serving others, too.
------------------------------
Want to find your own *warm fuzzies* moment? Contact United Way's Volunteer Connection to discover opportunities right in your community.

Got a moment you want to share? Tell us how you LIVE UNITED and leave an email address in the comment field - we'd love to share your story!

Groceries and More.

I'm not a good grocery shopper. It's one of my least favorite chores. I decided to change things up a bit recently and visit a larger store in an entirely different neighborhood.

It's a neighborhood known for its vibrancy, for the young professionals who call it home. So I was sort of surprised to share the aisles with a very different demographic.

Let's call them seniors. Better yet, let's call them independent seniors, because that's without a doubt what they were.

Shopping. Chatting. Patiently waiting for their bus or other ride. Going about the same weekly chore I was.

More than a few of my fellow shoppers no doubt could share a story of how United Way touches their lives.

They may spend the occasional afternoon at a local United Way-supported senior program, socializing with friends and sharing memories.

Or they may receive transportation to and from doctor's visits.

Little things that go a long way toward helping older adults maintain independence and a good quality of life.

By the time I left the store, I'd found a whole new layer of vibrancy in that neighborhood. And for me, a good reminder of why I'm Living United.

I Wear It On The Inside

Someone just made a comment about my four inch heels.

She was struck by how tall I appeared today - with these babies on, I hit just about 6'. I have no idea why I was compelled to wear a skirt and heels this morning - maybe it's the spectacular summer weather or a desire to put the pants on pause. Whatever the reason, I'm a little bit more dressed up than usual.

Black skirt. Black top. Long, flowing fushia scarf. A sparkly pendant around my neck.

What you don't see is my LIVE UNITED shirt.

Every day, I wear my LIVE UNITED shirt on the inside. Whether in jeans and a T or my little black dress, I am always committed to giving my time and talents to help others.

I'll be wearing my LIVE UNITED shirt tomorrow while volunteering at an event benefitting the Cincinnati Parks District. Granted, I'll really be wearing black pants and a white button down shirt, but inside, I'll know I'm doing something to make this community a little better.

Cincinnati's parks are a treasure, and I am glad I have a chance to give them a bit of my time.

A couple weeks ago I really did wear my LIVE UNITED shirt while volunteering at a United Way agency partner. I joined other members of United Way's Emerging Leaders' Society to sort and fold clothes for the agency's Clothing Closet. The store helps people buy gently worn clothing at a significant discount, funneling more money back into the agency.

Good wardrobe basics can carry a hefty price, and I am jazzed my time will help someone else fill their closet affordably.

Next week, as I put on a nice pair of slacks and a blouse to volunteer for a local women's organization, no one will see my LIVE UNITED shirt - but I'll be wearing it on the inside. The organization is committed to training and development for its members, as well as supporting programs that assist women and children.

I love being a part of something that I know is making a difference in Greater Cincinnati, as well as preparing me for leadership opportunities in the years ahead.

Today I'm wearing a skirt and heels.

Tomorrow? Maybe jeans.

But next time you see me, look a little more closely. You just might see my LIVE UNITED t-shirt, too.

Virtual Reality.

Today's the day UWGC goes virtual. The 2009 campaign kicks off online for the first time ever in our community.

We're gathered in a war room, blogging and chatting away. Any minute now we'll be joined by a handful of local celebs -- a Red, a Bengal or two, and various media personalities.

To say we're excited is an understatement.

The help and hope United Way provides to those in our community is critical. If you want to LIVE UNITED, and explore the stories of folks who already are, visit www.wecanliveunited.org.

School Days.

Alex is my friend's 2 year-old. I spent a Saturday morning with him a few weeks back while his mom was at an appointment. After he waved goodbye at mom, we settled onto the floor in front of the toy box.

First he pulled out a lion. "Lion, roarrrrrr," he pronounced, handing it to me. He waited a second for me to figure out my role, decided I didn't get it, so pulled out another toy and handed it to me.

Ah. My turn.

Uh oh. What exactly was this thing? Bendable, purple and obviously well-loved, I didn't have a clue. I looked at Alex, his big blue eyes eager, an expectant grin on his face.

"Horsey, neeeeigggh," I tried.

He scowled at me, shook his head. "Dog. Woof," he corrected me, taking the toy back and holding it close.

Seriously? I'm being schooled by a 2 year-old.

Granted, I don't have kids of my own. And it's been years since I spent every Saturday evening babysitting the little boy down the street. Back then, the routine was I read to him, watched him play in his sandbox, then put him to bed and he fell asleep. I watched television until his parents came home. Not exactly two-way interaction.

Alex and his mom have had their routine since the day he was born. They talk. They read together. They explore. While mom's at work, he's safe and happy at one of their city's highest- quality child care centers.

There's a lesson there.

Need a reason to give to United Way this year? Here’s one: I recently heard this from a young mother who was a recipient of United Way-funded housing assistance: she needed an affordable place to live, and had to make a choice - live under a bridge with her children, or move into substandard housing with mold growing under the carpet, and “just buy a lot of bleach.” She chose the bleach option until it got unbearable, then found help from a United Way agency that located a safe, affordable apartment for her family. I can feel lucky that, in my life, I have never had to face choices like this. For those that do, I know my United Way gift can go a long way in providing a young mother peace of mind.

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by!

Check back often to read how we LIVE UNITED in Greater Cincinnati. We'll share stories from our community, and yours -- highlighting folks who aren't just wearing a t-shirt, but living it.