Service helps children with Cerebral Palsy

Matthew Koob, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota (UCPCM), told me a story recently.

It was about a child who could not speak and had limited body movement.  This child was often being fed potato chips.  UCPCM was able to help this child obtain an adapted communication device that made it possible to communicate through touching pictures that expressed her thoughts.  This child was finally able to say "I do not like potato chips."

That may not sound like much but imagine the frustration of not being able to communciate your most basic wishes and thoughts.

This new technology will open all kinds of doors to helop this young person live a much fuller life connecting with others.

This is only one example of the everyday life changing work of UCPCM, a United Way funded service.

United Way Partner Program: Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center

Sitting in a room where a young woman is telling about how she survived being raped is something I will never forget.

She wanted us to understand the ways that the Central MN Sexual Assault Center (CMSAC) helped her get through the aftermath.  She attended support groups, was helped through their advocacy in her reporting of the crime and one to one listening.  Time has passed and healing occurred.  She is now a trained advocate helping others.  Her courage, her future focus in everything she said was clear.

Hearing her story and learning about CMSAC's work in our local communities was part of the annual visit our United Way Community Investment Team volunteers have with each program United Way funds.  From Peg LaDue, CMSAC director, and a CMSAC board member, volunteers learned about their presentations in schools focused on prevention and their relationships with hospitals and law enforcement that help ensure that women and men and children are treated in the most thorough and respectful ways.  In these meetings, our volunteers also learn about their goals, challenges, how they conduct outreach, partnerships they have established in the community to strengthen their work, staffing and how they utilize the skills of volunteers.  Volunteers review their annual audits, income/expenses and budget projections.

One other thing they shared should be a fact known by us all: Last year, the local Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center which covers our local four-county area had 483 new cases/new people last year.  52% of them were under age 18, our children and youth. They ranged in age, infants to teenagers.

If you ever doubt that a gift to United Way can make a difference in someone's life.  Think again.
  

Service for families with children who have developmental disabilities

When you become a parent there is always the underlying thought - will my baby be healthy? Some parents need to face this reality head on when their child is born.

There are experienced people who help these families - it is one of the best kept secrets in our community . . . Arc Midstate.

It is an agency with a range of services that help families with children with developmental disabiltiites  - providing advocacy, education for the community about resources and realities, sibsgroup for brothers and sisters of children with special needs, Pilot Parents - parents with like-family situations supporting each other, sessions with high school students on causes of fetal alcohol syndrome, trainings and connections with child care providers, the list goes on . . .  sharing knowledge and support related to down syndrome, autism, and aspergers.

With a small staff and volunteer core they accomplish so much and help literally thousands of local people every year. This is one of the most efficient and resourceful programs funded by United Way.  Check out this gem.

Service for people experiencing a loss

When I was 37, my husband died.  He had acute mylogenous leukemia.  Our sons, ages 7 & 8, needed stability and help in understanding our changed family and how we could go on.

I sought out the Life Transitions program of Catholic Charities.  I did not go to any of the groups they have available but I met with a staff member.  They gave me materials I could absorb and we learned to adjust to our new "normal".

I was so very appreciative that this help existed.  We were fortunate that we had wonderful family with love and support.  But sometimes it is hard to talk with them when you are hurting.  They are hurting too.

This service still exists today, based out of a friendly warm home.  They have groups for people who are widowed, for children who have suffered loss, services for people who have experienced the challenges of loss through divorce, one to one help, and an array of resource information.  Help someone you know get connected to this United Way supported service.  It could change their life and make their future seem brighter.

Reading to your Child – Starting at Birth

Last week I spoke a little about the Imagination Library program – check out United Way website to find out more: www.unitedwayhelps.org

This week I am thinking about reading to newborns and infants.  Sometimes when we encourage this, we get the reaction of “That seems a little silly.  Do they really absorb anything at that young age?” The answer is a clear resounding “YES”.

This is a time they are absorbing everything around them.  They love the special one-to-one moments that is just you talking to them, reading to them, hearing the sounds of your voice and expressions on your face.  Use books with simple, large pictures or designs with bright colors.  Stiff cardboard “chunky” books or fold out books that can be propped up in the crib.  Cloth and vinyl books with simple pictures of people or familiar objects that can go in the bath or get washed.   Board books with photos of other babies and balls and animals are extra special.  Books at this age will be touched and tasted.  These ideas are from the Zero to Three website:  www.zerotothree.org.

When we are reading with a young child, it is a close bonding time – usually gentle, relaxed voices.  It is a time when we can be calm and focused on the child in our arms.  Those are the moments that mom, dad, grandpa, grandpa, older brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, friends will remember forever.  The infant will not remember to retell it but it will be part of who they are deep down.  That is about the most special gift we can give.

Future of our Kids

I was at Electrolux Home Appliances last week connecting with Sandy VanTassell about their United Way campaign.  Out of the blue, one of her co-workers said “Have you seen the books they mail out through Imagination Library?” She went on to explain how her 2 year-old granddaughter just received one of the “Llama” books in the mail and she loved it . . . the pictures, the message . . .

This is the kind of excitement we love to hear about reading and these books.

United Way provides the Imagination Library book program as part of our Success By 6 initiative.  Children from birth up to their 5th birthday can be enrolled, at no cost to the family.  Their parent or legal guardian and the child must reside in the United Way of Central Minnesota service area.  Books are mailed to the child at their home every month.  They are age appropriate, quality books.  This is a partnership we have with the Dollywood Foundation.  Dolly Parton’s father never learned to read.  She started this program and it has grown to locations throughout the country.

Parents can enroll their children by clicking here!

One more thought . . . Consider making a donation to United Way of Central Minnesota to help cover the cost of this program.  More than 9,300 local children are enrolled and receive books every month.  You could donate in honor of a special person in your life … maybe someone who read to you as a child.  This program is about all our children and their future.

Blogging???

This is something new for me.  I am Betty Schnettler, Director of Partnerships & Services, United Way of Central Minnesota.

I am going to tell stories about services, initiatives and the people we meet every day through United Way who are an inspiration.

Last year I volunteered with the Catholic Charities Share the Spirit program that provided gifts and basics to very low income families.   An adult in the family picks up the items they had written on their wish list for their family..  I talked with one of the women for quite a long time while she waited for her ride.  She was using a walker and you could tell this had been a pretty exhausting day.  She had severe arthritis and struggled with every step. She told me she moved here from another state so her two grandchildren could live with her and have a stable home while their mom (her daughter) was in chemical dependency treatment.  She spoke about the Boys & Girls Club and what a difference that made in her grandchildren’s lives – help with homework, a positive place to be, and good friends.   When her ride showed up, I helped her bring the wrapped gifts to the vehicle.  She said thank you over and over and over again. 

When you give to United Way, you help support both of these services to do their work year-round reaching thousands of local families.

Every Christmas season, our United Way convenes the agencies who provide special holiday services so they can share their plans, reach the people who need help the most and avoid any duplication of effort.  We conduct outreach to get the word out to the community on ways they can help.

On our United Way website (www.unitedwayhelps.org) we have the Holiday Needs poster that lists key agencies in the St. Cloud area who are accepting basic donated items for children and adults:  boots and coats for children, diapers, personal care items, new toys, towels, women’s socks, the list goes on . . . There is nothing fancy or extravagant on that list.

Make a donation if you can – you may not hear the thank you directly from the child or adult you help but you will be in someone’s thank you prayers that night.