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“You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.” – John Mark Green
October is a month of transition. The seasons are changing, the leaves showing their fall colors and our daylight hours growing shorter. We all need to take a moment of pause and see the beauty that is in nature, all around us, even during the extended hours of moonlight. Not taking the little things in life for granted, we should all be grateful for the positive things in our lives.
This newsletter we're bringing light to Domestic Violence Awareness Month to show our support for survivors of violence. With a focus on our Health Initiative's bold goal, when you support United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, you are advancing the Mental Health of Chippewa Valley residents by providing funding for prevention and intervention programs. Please donate today. We can be the light for each other, especially during times of darkness.
As you read along, you'll find an introduction from this year's Campaign Chair, Jennifer Prochnow. We appreciate her efforts to help us raise awareness and support our initiatives. We're thankful to have her as part of this year's Campaign Cabinet. Also, a special thank you to all of the Employee Campaign Coordinators (ECCs) working hard out there, running special events and growing awareness to support our initiatives in Health, Education, Financial Stability, Basic Needs and Digital Equity. Thank you for being so dedicated!
Read on to learn more about the release of the new 211 Wisconsin App, available now for download. A special thank you to our collaborators and supporters of our recent Digital Equity Community Conversations. Also, a reminder that when you give where you live by donating to United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley before November 3, you'll be entered in our Sweepstakes for the opportunity to win great prizes! Scroll down to learn more. As always, we're better together! Thank you for being here and reading on.
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A few words from our Campaign Chair:
Hello,
Fall is my favorite season – it always has been. Most people think of fall as an ending. Summer is over and we put things away for the winter. But for me the fall has always felt full of hope for new beginnings. As we turn our thoughts towards our homes and holidays, I always feel a little introspective. I think about how thankful and blessed I truly am.
This year, as the UWGCV Campaign Chair, I feel especially thankful. Thankful to be part of a strong community that rallies around those who are working hard and still need a little boost. Thankful for Program Partners who recognize the areas of greatest need and know how to tackle them. Thankful that there are so many givers in the Chippewa Valley, who, when banded together, can move mountains.
As we enter this season of giving – a time when the greater need is on everyone’s mind – I invite you to become a little introspective yourself. What are you most thankful for? What can you do to help those who don’t have all they need?
I’ll leave you with this thought by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” I give and serve through United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley because I believe that together we can change the world – one person at a time.
Kind regards,
Jennifer
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Jennifer Prochnow
Xcel Energy
Campaign Chair
United Way of the
Greater Chippewa Valley
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GET HELP NOW! DOWNLOAD THE NEW 211 APP!
We're here to promote the release of the new 211 Wisconsin App. Kudos to United Way of Dane County for their work on this project! We're thankful for this statewide resource.
Also thank you to United Way of Wisconsin and Great Rivers 2-1-1 for supporting this project.
The app is available for download in the Apple and Android app stores by searching 211 Wisconsin.
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Thank you to our generous sponsors who helped make the 2023 Sweepstakes possible.
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Our neighbors and our friends need help. United Way is committed to connecting individuals with resources to ensure financial stability.
The new United Way of Wisconsin ALICE® Reports states that One-Third of Wisconsinites Struggle to Make Ends Meet Financially.
Wisconsin households had difficulty affording basic necessities like housing, food, transportation, child care and internet access.
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The Chippewa Valley Village Child Care Provider Network, a dynamic community initiative aimed at supporting and empowering family child care providers, has received funding from the Wisconsin DreamUp! Grant to support the community-led effort.
The Chippewa Valley Village Child Care Provider Network holds monthly in-person meetings, providing a supportive space where child care providers can come together, share experiences and exchange valuable insights. These gatherings foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration, as providers connect with like-minded individuals facing similar challenges and accomplishments. The network meets the second Tuesday of every month from 6-8 p.m. in the Pines Room at 29 Pines Family Restaurant & Lounge in Eau Claire.
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This newsletter's Program Partner Spotlight is featuring Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse:
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When you support UWGCV, you are investing in collaborative, innovative, research-based and results-focused initiatives. These initiatives coordinate the work of local programs, service providers and community stakeholders in the Chippewa Valley. Together, we're working to solve our community's most pressing problems. Each Program Partner is funded under a specific initiative that is driven by a bold goal that keeps everyone working toward the same mission. Each newsletter we'll talk about how the featured program fits into our initiatives.
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HEALTH BOLD GOAL:
Chippewa Valley residents will have access to food, shelter and medical services in their time of need.
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Sojourner House and Gaining Ground provide overnight shelter and crisis services for adult men and women in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties. As a nighttime homeless shelter and a crisis services provider, the two programs provide services for most of the day. When Sojourner House closes at 8:00 a.m., guests may work with Gaining Ground from 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sojourner House is open seven days a week, 365 days a year.
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A photo of the newly renovated Sojourner House on Barstow Street in Eau Claire, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse.
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We're here to give you an overview of what our Program Partners do to impact our communities. We asked them to answer a few quick and direct questions for better insight as to what they do, how they do it, how United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley (UWGCV) supports them, any immediate needs they may currently have and any other notes they'd like you to be aware of. Here's what Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse had to say.
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Please tell us who you are and what you do to strengthen the Chippewa Valley:
The Sojourner House provides a safe, clean place for single men and women
experiencing homelessness; affirms the Christ-like dignity in every individual through compassionate presence, listening and hospitality; and empowers people to rebuild their lives with the engagement of the greater community.
How does UWGCV strengthen your program?
UWGCV's funding strengthens our program by supporting our stellar staff! In 2022 we noticed a substantial decrease in the amount of volunteers that has yet to level out. In order to stay open and not close our operations we must maintain and sustain our staff. Being fully staffed means that all needs are being met while guests are present. UWGCV's funding makes sure we can keep the building safe, secure and fully staffed.
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What is your greatest
program need?
Our greatest program need is volunteers! Each night we need at least four volunteers, and at times that number is not met. Volunteers are a vital part of shelter operations, without them, guests cannot receive the dedicated one-on-one attention given by staff that we strive to give.
Is there anything else you'd like to highlight?
Potluck Nights! Every first and third Saturday each month we host community potlucks, where community members bring a dinner dish to the shelter to serve. Drop offs are at 6:45 p.m. and you can stay to volunteer as long as you like. The Signup Genius link is on our Facebook group page named Sojourner House - Eau Claire, the page is updated two weeks prior to each event.
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For more information about
Catholic Charities of the
Diocese of La Crosse
Please contact:
Clare Dellinger
(715) 450-5835
cdellinger@cclse.org
618 South Barstow
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
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Or visit their website at www.cclse.org and follow their social platforms.
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Thank you Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse and Sojourner House of Eau Claire for providing overnight shelter and crisis services for those in need in the Chippewa Valley.
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BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER! VOLUNTEER TODAY!
Check out our new ULTIMATE ONLINE VOLUNTEER RESOURCE, ChippewaValleyVolunteer.com!
In collaboration with Visit Eau Claire, we’re able to bring local volunteer opportunities to one accessible digital platform. ChippewaValleyVolunteer.com is a one-stop shop when you’re looking to be a volunteer or to recruit volunteers.
Volunteer. Recruit. Visit Now.
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Keep up to date with all of our future United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley events. Get involved and give back. Dates for our 2024 events coming soon!
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Chippewa Valley Village Child Care Provider Network
the second Tuesday of every month
From 6-8 p.m. | Pines Room at 29 Pines Family Restaurant & Lounge
5872 33rd Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703
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To check out this year's campaign video, click on the button below.
GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE.
Donate and volunteer today!
uwgcv.org/give | 715-834-5043
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Invest in improving Health,
Education,
Financial Stability,
Basic Needs and Digital Equity
in the
Chippewa Valley.
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Impact in the Chippewa Valley is sponsored by:
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Like and follow us on social!
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