What comes to mind when you think of a healthy community? In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been top of mind for many of us, but health is more than just the absence of illness. United Way of the Ozarks’ goal to fight for the lifelong health of every person in our community is more important now than ever. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have:
- United and supported our partner agencies with over $185,700 in relief funding
- Collaborated with other community leaders
- Helped unite more than 120 faith leaders via the Have Faith Initiative
- Worked to bridge the gap from immediate response to long-term recovery
Aside from our immediate response efforts during the pandemic, for decades we have worked to improve the health of everyone in our community. We aim to enable all individuals and families to improve their health, so we invest resources upstream so that children in our community can create healthy habits early on to live healthy, successful lives. By defining shared goals around our community’s health and funding programs that help us reach those goals, we’re fighting to help everyone in the Ozarks get—and stay—healthy.
For this month’s episode of our Connecting the Dots video series, “Healthy Beginnings,” we spoke with two of our partner organizations as well as long-time United Way supporter Clay Goddard, the Director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. Each of these agencies highlight how they are supporting community health in the Ozarks and how being a United Way partner provides a unique value to their efforts.
Are you ready to connect the dots and support healthy beginnings in your community?
GIVE
Your donation to United Way of the Ozarks supports a network of organizations actively working to promote and support a healthy community, especially during COVID-19.
ADVOCATE
We encourage you to not only donate to our efforts at United Way of the Ozarks but also to make your voice heard in your community. You can take the first steps in becoming an advocate by:
- Sharing our video series with your friends, family, and co-workers
- Asking your employer to join United Way’s annual workplace campaign
- Participating in local programs focused on building a healthier community, like the Healthy Living Alliance
- Making your voice heard by community leaders as they determine measures to keep our community healthy during the pandemic
VOLUNTEER
The organizations highlighted in this month’s video are always looking for more individuals to volunteer. For more information, contact Ozarks Regional YMCA, SPS Kids First, and the Springfield Greene County Health Department directly.
LIVE UNITED
Ultimately, health is a topic of high priority right now throughout the Ozarks and the world. United Way works closely with our partner agencies to ensure that each organization is able to provide its best services and resources to our community members most in need. When you choose to Live United, you are supporting local organizations that are all working diligently to make our community healthier, not just for now, but also for the future.
You can sign up to receive our monthly newsletters here to stay informed on how you can join the fight. When you choose to support United Way of the Ozarks, you are taking the first steps in building a stronger, healthier community.