The Fundraising Authority RSS

Featured Non-Profit - Otsego County United Way

Otsego County United Way (OCUW) was originally founded over 40 years ago as the Community Fund. Today they are part of a network of more than 1,300 United Ways across the U.S., each of which is autonomous and independently governed by its own local Board of Directors.

The mission at OCUW is to "Uniting volunteers and mobilizing resources to support effective programs addressing community needs in Otsego County." They work hard to advance the common good, which means creating opportunities for a good life for everyone who lives in our community. In 2010, United Way began to focus our efforts in three critical areas: education, income and health, which are the building blocks to a successful life, a quality education leads to a stable job, with an ability to earn enough income to support a family through retirement, with good health at every stage.

This is what United Way in Otsego County does:

• Agency Impact, United Way funds 11 programs at partner agencies to address critical community needs and serve vulnerable populations
• First Call For Help, provides a one stop place for people in need to learn about area resources, register for utility or housing assistance and find counseling on options available to them to start improving their situations. The program works with non-profits, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, funders and concerned volunteers to help Otsego County's most vulnerable citizens obtain the basics needed to be self-sufficient
• Volunteer Center, connects individuals interested in helping out in the community with organizations and project that most need it. This program encourages volunteers from teenagers to adults.
• RSVP, is the retired and senior volunteer program. This program provides volunteer opportunities to anyone fifty-five years and older, helping individuals stay active in the community and providing a resource for organizations and projects that are in need of volunteers./li>
• United Way's 2-1-1 free call center provides a central resource for local community services and information 24/7 to people in need of information on any human service issue.