Who are your Heroes?

My answers to this question came pouring out! 

What would your answers be?

·      Teens who choose not to use alcohol or drugs

·      People with physical disabilities who make it clear their disability does not define who they are as a person.

·      Children who are on the playground, see someone being bullied and they tell someone so it stops!

·      Moms and Dads who really listen to their children.  Get off the computer, turn off the TV and just listen.

·      Co-workers who do not have to go the extra mile but they do.

·      Parents and older brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles who read to children in their lives.

·      Families who help with homework in whatever way they can – providing a quiet space, quizzing on test questions, making a healthy meal, early bedtime for a good night’s rest, reviewing a math problem and talking it through, and admitting when you aren’t sure about the answer.

·      People who shovel other people’s sidewalks and do not tell anyone who done it.

·      People who bake really good chocolate chip cookies, the kind that are still a little soft in the middle, and share them.

·      People who learn a new language, befriend someone from another culture, and get to know new people even though it may not always feel comfortable.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

By: Tyler Myers, United Way Intern

On the evening of December 5^th I volunteered at Arc Midstate’s Christmas party.  I greeted people as they arrived for the party and made sure they had a nametag.  I helped make sure that everyone who wanted to see Santa got a chance to get their picture taken with him. 

You could feel the excitement in the air as people arrived.  There was a lot of anticipation to see the Project Challenge Choir and of course, Santa.  One person told me they got there early to make sure they had a front row seat for the concert.  I wasn’t sure how many people would be coming.  This was my first time attending the event.  By the time the concert started there were nearly 200 in attendance, a full house!

I had fun watching the concert.  It was entertaining and interactive.  They encouraged everyone in the crowd to sing along with them if they knew the words to any of the songs.  Many took them up on that offer and joined in.  The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

At the end of the night Cindy Owen, Arc Midstate Executive Director, asked how I knew so many of the people.  I told her that I had known a couple, but that most of the people I had been talking with that night I met for the first time.  That was just the environment and the atmosphere of the event.  Everyone was there to have a good time together and it made it feel like I had volunteered there several times already.  This was a wonderful event to kick off the holiday season. 

Story and Play Time

By:  Tyler Myers, United Way Staff Intern

I recently volunteered through Reach Up Inc. to read to a classroom of children at the Eastside Boys and Girls’ Club.  As soon as I entered the room one of the children got up, walked over to me, and gave me a big hug.  Although I was quite surprised by the hug (which allowed for a teaching moment on personal boundaries) and felt bad that he had to be reminded to stay on his shape, it was a wonderful welcome to their classroom that made me feel much appreciated by the kids.  Each of the kids in the class has their own shape (heart, boat, star, etc.) to mark where they are to sit on the rug when they meet there.

Before I went there I thought about whether to pause after each page to talk about the pictures and the story, or to just read it straight through.  I decided I would play it by ear and see how the kids were responding to the story.  After the first couple pages of the story it was clear I should read right through because every set of eyes was locked on to the book, and every mouth was closed as they followed the story.

After I was done reading, I was asked to stay for their play time and gladly said I would.  At each play station, the kids were so excited to show me what they were playing with or what they had put together.  It was awesome to see how proud the kids were of their work.

I left the classroom smiling, feeling rejuvenated and uplifted by all of the children’s positive energy.  This is something I would definitely do again and recommend this volunteer opportunity to anyone who enjoys being around young children.  

Week of Action – Meeting New People is Pure Joy!

During Week of Action, I was personally involved in two projects:

·      Cards of EnCOURAGEment, an event coordinated by United Way at the St. Cloud Public Library.  More than 70 children and adults created 465 simple homemade cards that were sent to deployed service members and to service members who are home and getting extensive medical treatment.

·      Helped out at Oak Ridge Elementary KIDSTOP site in Sartell.  Along with three other volunteers (two adults and one young teen), we put frosting on Halloween cookies and served the kids, we helped a group of children make Halloween cards and one volunteer listened to children read.

Both were memory making experiences….

One  woman who made cards who has a son in Iraq. Her son’s wife and their two young children were there too.  The little boy was so energetic.  They saved their cards to send directly to Dad.

I met a young boy and his grandpa who came because they felt this was a positive thing to do together.  The little boy made a card with a spider man sticker that read “Aren’t you glad all heroes do not have to wear tights?”  You have to chuckle at that one.

I sat next to a wonderful woman from Somalia named Maryan who made several heartfelt cards and talked about her value for freedom in this country.

I met several students from SCSU who heard about this and wanted a way to show their appreciation.

A group of women from a local company came together, partly as a social event but mostly to honor the men and women in their lives and workplaces who are in the military.

I met a fun imaginative group of children who go to KIDSTOP on a regular basis afterschool.  I heard so many thank yous expressed to me and the other volunteers from the children and the staff. 

There was one girl who talked about Halloween and how their family would not be getting costumes because money was tight but they could have a little family party that evening together.

One 3^rd grade boy was making a card for a friend who had had a rough day.  I was the hot glue gun woman so I got to help him finish up the final touches quick before he had to leave.

I was so impressed with all these people, young and old, who were thinking of others and their actions showed it.  It was inspiring!

Rachel Miller – One Amazing Young Woman

A few weeks ago I had the honor or reconnecting with Rachel Miller and her Mom, Deb.  We videotaped them telling their story about how United Way of Central Minnesota partner programs had made a difference in their lives.

Rachel is now 25 years old.  She lives in St. Cloud.  Rachel is an active community volunteer at Opportunity Manor on a regular basis and serves on a committee with other WACOSA consumers.  She is delightful, warm in her approach with people, has a smile that takes your breath away and she was born with cerebral palsy.  She uses a wheelchair for mobility.

Rachel and her Mom talked about how United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota helped them access the types of equipment that would help Rachel be as independent as possible and increase her physical movement.  Rachel shared how she was able to go to the all-night graduation party at Sartell High School because a mentor through the ARISE program, funded by United Way, was able to go with her.  Rachel could fully participate in that rare and one-time only event like all her other friends.

A former intern with United Way, Raashid Yassin, edited the taping and it was shared as part of the school year kick off for all staff in Sartell – St. Stephen School District.  I was there to witness the reactions.  Many of the staff sighed when they heard Rachel’s voice and saw her up on the screen – it was like they were seeing an old friend.  In the video, we were able to capture Rachel’s thanks to staff of Sartell schools.  She said they were always there for her no matter what. 

LIVE UNITED is United Way’s theme.  This story captures the ripple effect we all have in each other’s lives.  Thank you Rachel and Deb reminding me about why we are here doing this work together.

My Internship at United Way

Written by: Raashid Yassin, United Way Summer Intern

Summers offer a unique opportunity for college students like myself. Following the conclusion of a frenetic semester of college, the summer months present a brief window of time where young adults can escape the cloistered environment of campus life and gain the proverbial real-world experience that is necessary professional and personal growth.

When I decided to become an intern at United Way, I was faced with a recurring question that I couldn’t even fully answer myself: What does United Way do? Within the first few weeks of my internship, I was able to witness its mission of “improving people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of Central Minnesota” manifest through the Community Investment Team process. The work of the Community Investment Teams goes largely unnoticed by those in the community, which is a particular shame because it is, in my estimation, the best paradigm to understand how United Way works and who it works for. For those unfamiliar with the process, it’s quite simple. United Way commissions teams of local volunteers to debate the merits of local agencies who seek funding from United Way’s campaign. Volunteers drive the process, which removes any bureaucratic influence and puts funding decisions in the hands of a collective that represents the generous community that makes United Way’s work possible.  Agencies’ leaders visit to make their case for what is often a vital allocation of dollars, and usually do so with the help of the clients they serve. Every volunteer will tell you that the most effective presentations were the ones that integrated firsthand accounts of people who utilize the services that United Way helps to support.

Hearing testimonies about the everyday struggles people in our community endure was certainly depressing; it was not uncommon to see glassy eyes on volunteers and presenters alike. However, I cannot help but feel refreshed upon reflecting on the Community Investment Teams and my work at United Way. I have met so many impressive individuals who volunteer so much of their time and those that have dedicated their life’s work to ensuring that others have a better standard of living. Central Minnesota is lucky to have amazing citizens who tirelessly embody altruism every day. While their work may go unnoticed by some, it surely makes a world of difference to others. 

Amazing Interns

Crystal, Sonny, Raashid, Davina, Chelsey, Katherine, Mandi, Jessica, Molly, Dana, Sarah, Alison, Cindy, Lindsay, Holly, Amber, Laura, Briana, Cheryl, Kate, Anne, Marie, Quinn, Stacie, Erin, Deanna, Gaonyia, Tara, Denise, Kelly ….

I cannot begin to name all the tremendous young people who have interned with United Way throughout the time I have been fortunate to work here.  Over 125 interns have added to the quality and level of community impact of United Way since we opened our doors in St. Cloud in 1967.

I hear from some who have gone on to become social workers, teachers of the English language, researchers, fund development professionals, child care advocates, lawyers, United Way directors, volunteer coordinators, hospice coordinators, multicultural program coordinators, police officers, the list goes on….

One thing I know is that the very practical, on the ground experience they gain through their internship is a real asset.  It helps them identify their abilities, what challenges their values, build their skills and meet a broad range of people from throughout the community.  They meet CEOs of companies and people who have arrived this year from a refugee camp in Kenya.  They meet 3 year olds excited about getting Imagination Library books and retirees who volunteer at our office.  And they meet hundreds of volunteers and staff who work with non profits that our community could not live without.

What do they do? Author weekly volunteer opportunities columns that are published in the Times and emailed to hundreds of local people, staff outreach displays, research community needs and trends, develop and update resource listings so people can find services in the community, coordinate Llama Llama Read-A-Rama activities, create flyers for events, interview community volunteers and people helped through United Way supported services, share fresh ideas and perspectives, the list goes on …

Hats off to all these people.  They gain much in return but  they can never be thanked enough for all they do for our community.