United Way kicks off $5.4 million campaign

2008 Campaign Chair Catherine Powell of Modine

The United Way of Racine County kicked off its 2008 fund drive today, hoping to raise $5.4 million, its largest goal ever. The United Way has 700 "leadership givers" (who donate at least $1,000 annually), more than 12,000 donors, and 2,000 volunteers. Last year's campaign -- its most successful -- raised $5, 125,000.

"We're advancing the common good," said executive director Dave Maurer, "and we are getting results. We all benefit when a child learns to read, or when a felon gets a job."

The United Way's three priorities are Education, Income and Health.

Maurer pointed out that the organization has changed in recent years -- "there are no more entitlements, outcomes are measured" -- and the United Way is focused on giving, advocating and volunteering, "the keys to Living United," the organization's present mantra.

Maurer introduced Catherine Powell, senior counsel at Modine Manufacturing, this year's campaign chair, who -- along with her campaign cabinet -- has been making calls on businesses helping them organize effective employee fund drives.

He pointed out that Jeff Collen, director of the Racine County YMCA, has issued a challenge to other non-profits: Any non-profit or United Way partner-provider that increases its own donation more than Y employees increase their overall donation will win a free swimming party for employees. "Up to 1,000 employees," Maurer said... finally adding, "well, he really didn't say that part."

Jeff Neubauer, CEO of Kranz, Inc., detailed part of the strategic plan initiative undertaken by loal business leaders under the aegis of the Workforce Development Center, which has three major goals: finding replacements for all the baby boomers who will shortly be retiring; helping those portions of the city with chronic high unemployment; and creating workers for the "jobs of the future."

Jeff Neubauer, of Kranz, Inc.

Focusing on the chronically unemployed, he said, "We've got to first do an honest assessment; the numbers aren't moving in the right direction."

Neubauer pointed to one of United Way's recent success stories -- the creation of HALO, a permanent shelter that both houses the homeless while at the same time providing training to get them into jobs and their own housing. "This community did a fabulous job with HALO," he said. "We can use that model -- a good business plan to tackle tough issues -- and if there is one indispensable partner in creating a collaborative joint venture, it's the United Way."

He and Maurer pledged "to bring some of our most vulnerable families to financial stability."

United Way Board President Greg Anderegg noted that Tuesday's kickoff lunch "was filled with leaders laying the framework for solutions." He expects to achieve -- "and exceed" -- this year's goal.

The first major campaign event will take place on Sept. 5, at Downtown Racine's final First Friday, when shops are open late and musicians perform throughout downtown. Some 45 retailers will be holding raffles in their stores to kick off "Live United - Downtown."

Kenosha AFL-CIO splits with United Way

Update: The fight here is over a staff position with the United Way. The organization missed its fundraising total and eliminated its labor liaison. The Labor Council didn't like that move and asked its member to withdraw funding from the United Way. Nobody had reliable numbers, but one person estimated labor accounts for 30-40 percent of the United Way's annual donations.

The liaison works with unions to encourage donations to the United Way. The Labor Councils still wants its members to make donations, just not to the United Way.

Original post:

The Kenosha County United Way and the Kenosha AFL-CIO Central Labor Council have split company, according to a letter to union members released today. The announcement marks the end of a four decade relationship between the two organizations.

The letter, written by Central Labor Council President Ronald Frederick, blamed the split on United Way.

"We did not walk away from the forty-plus year relationship with the United Way of Kenosha County," he wrote.

Specifics of the split were not included in the letter, and the reasons behind the separation were not readily available.

From what we can tell, this has no impact on the United Way of Racine County and its labor supporters.

United Way offices hit hard by flood

United Way of Racine County, located on the first floor of the Lincoln Building at 2000 Domanik Drive along the Root River, appears to be the only business in the county seriously affected by the flooding in Racine last week. The offices sustained extensive damage when the river reached record levels and flooded the Lincoln Park, Island Park and Spring Street areas of Racine. (See picture HERE.)

Carpeting, tile and dry wall in the offices all must be replaced, and many pieces of office furniture will be discarded. “We expect it will be four to six weeks before we can return to our space.” said Dave Maurer, United Way executive director.

Lincoln Lutheran gave United Way temporary space on the fourth floor. “This allows us to be nearly fully operational with these office and meeting areas. Staff have continued with meetings and events as scheduled for the most part and kept up with email communications,” Maurer said. With the phone system back in place, staff can now be reached by leaving voicemail messages.

United Way has been in contact with the American Red Cross and other emergency services and is planning to offer ongoing basic needs assistance to Racine County residents who have suffered flood damage when those other resources have expired. “While we have some operational disruption, we anticipate the longer term needs of some families will require our support and we will be there to help as we were with Katrina victims who landed in Racine a few years ago,” said Maurer. “Some flood victims are our neighbors down the street.”

n addition to gratitude for the support provided by Lincoln Lutheran and their staff, United Way extended thanks to Great Northern, Merchants Moving and Storage and Home Depot for the quick responses.

Here's a United Way directory for anyone needing to reach the staff:

Executive Director, David Maurer, 635-7499 x-119, davemaurer@unitedwayracine.org

Community Impact Director, Susan Gould, 635-7499 x-111, sgould@unitedwayracine.org

Finance and Administration Director, Barbara Jopke, 635-7499 x-113, bjopke@unitedwayracine.org

Resource Development Director, Tracy Nielsen, 635-7499 x-118, tnielsen@unitedwayracine.org

Communications Director, Lisa Koenen, 635-7499 x-117, lkoenen@unitedwayracine.org

Community Impact Manager, Tiffani Pinkerton, 635-7499 x 120, tpinkerton@unitedwayracine.org

AFL-CIO Liaison/Community Services Director, Ron Thomas, 635-7499 x-112, ronthomas@unitedwayracine.org

Community Impact Associate, Michelle Brown, 635-7499 x-121, mbrown@unitedwayracine.org

Community Impact Associate, Marie Hargrove, 635-7499 x-115, mhargrove@unitedwayracine.org

Community Impact Associate, MaryBeth Kallio, 635-7499 x-114, mkallio@unitedwayracine.org

Western Racine County Liaison, Doug Farrell, 492-3108, dgf517@idcnet.com

How you can help flood victims

Update 2: Here are the local dropoff points for donations:

Racine Area
Holy Communion Church
church on the hill on 6th Street
Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 4 pm
Sun 6:30 am - noon
Sat by appt only - call Pastor Jeff 497-7576

Milwaukee Area
Cardinal Stritch University
Main Campus - 6801 N. Yates Road
http://stritch.edu/about/location.aspx
Mon - Fri (hours unconfirmed)

Kenosha Area
Cardinal Stritch University
Hwys 50 & H - 9080 76th St
Mon - Fri 10 am - 6 pm

Update: Good news for local relief efforts for flooding victims. The United Way has agreed to back the efforts of Christina Mueller and Mystical Listrom. They're collecting contributions and donating to relief efforts. Here's the full explanation from Listrom:

Hello everybody! I have outstanding news that I can't wait to share!!

United Way of Racine County is backing us 100% & we have their 100% guarantee ALL MONEY will be given to directly to the flood victims!!

They are setting up the trust fund account for money contributions. Details are not set yet, Christina and I will be meeting with United Way this weekend to finalize the details.

Not only that, but the United Way of Racine County is donating to our fund!!

They did not realize these people were not being helped by any other organization and were getting the run around. Christina and I were the only ones pushing this drive with the help and support of everyone who reads this mail and has participated as well.

I do plan on sending more information later in the evening or tomorrow when I have a minute to breathe from all the excitement.

Contributions can be made to: United Way of Racine County

write on the memo line: ARAYA HOPE FUND

That makes the name of our efforts official. "ARAYA HOPE FUND"

(Sounds like "A ray of hope".)

Original post:

We received an email yesterday from two Racine women who are working together to help Racine's flood victims. They're getting the word out on what people need, and how people can make donations. Here's their emails, which explain the situation best:

UPDATED: Need help for Racine flood victims

Well, after our walk today, the hot ticket items needed are:

• **Washer/Dryer**
• **Dehumidifier**
• **Lawn mower**
• Laundry Soap
• Sanitizing Cleaners and supplies
• Holiday Decorations & Christmas tree
• Clothes from babies-adult
• Children's toys
• Yard furniture
• Food
• Money
• Dog/Cat food and supplies

The family featured in The Journal Times were in the middle of their kitchen remodel project and lost most kitchen items because they were stored in their garage. Those items needed are: dishes, toaster, blender, pots/pans, FOOD (their refrigerator is in the garage). They also lost their shed, it actually was floating in their yard only held in by their cyclone fence, which is also destroyed.

The majority of the people all listed these same items over and over again.

The insurance companies are giving them the run around. A few people have $5,000 deductibles, so even if the insurance covers the water heater and furnace, they can't afford to replace them. The insurance companies are telling them they need a Structural Engineer or Certified Housing Inspector with flood knowledge to prove structural damage and prove the damage was directly caused by the flood. The money for the inspection is not covered by the insurance company. If anyone is licensed and willing to volunteer their time to help with these inspection, it would be a BIG appreciation to the homeowners!

Carpet shampooing would be a blessing as the contaminated water was trekked through the house during removal of basement items.

Manpower would be another blessing. A lot of items have been removed, but people are still in need of some muscle or a handyman. Governor Doyle assigned jailers to help remove damaged/destroyed items; however, most people refused their help for fear of future unseen problems. Certainly there are elderly who could still use assistance as well.

Regarding the trust fund being set-up, Christina and Mystical visited Educator's Credit Union today and found out the details needed in order to start it. We are getting the ball rolling with that. We intend to purchase gift cards for Wal-mart for immediate needs like food, water, etc. with this money. If you are interested in side-stepping the trust fund and would like to donate the gift cards, that is acceptable too. Contact us directly to do this so they can be distributed immediately to residents (hardest hit first, of course), rather than being lost in the shuffle of things.

We also noticed a few laundry mats posting "Free washing today" or "Free drying today". If you happen to catch these, please email us so I can get the word out to people.

Holy Communion Church (the church on the hill on 6th St) is the donation drop-off/pick-up site. Please clearly label the items "FLOOD" because they have more than one charitable event in-process.

Both Kenosha and Milwaukee Campuses of Cardinal Stritch University will have donation bins available.

If anyone in our flood area happens to get this e-mail, please notify us so we can be sure to keep you updated on key issues (like the laundry postings) we come across to help spread the word in your direct area.

If any businesses are willing to donate items (even scratch & dent), perform a benefit, or anything else they can think of that may be of use to our flood victims, please contact us.

I would like to keep everyone updated from time to time. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please let us know. If anyone would like to be added to the list, please advise.

Again, if anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you,
Christina Mueller
Mystical Listrom


Mystical Listrom wrote: Christina Mueller and Mystical Listrom are together in the process of organizing help for Racine's flood victims. So far, their insurance policies only cover furnace, air conditioners, and water heater replacements. The Red Cross is only donating sanitizing supplies. FEMA has yet to come through. The Salvation Army and United Way are not helping.

The water is contaminated with sewage. The children are running around while the parents struggle to clean up the mess. School is out and there are 43 children on the one street that Christina helped out in alone. Their toys were either trashed or washed away.

These people lost washing machines, dryers, clothes, toys among other items. With the electricity and water supply turned off, they also lost shower availability, food spoiled, cook pizza on grills for dinner, divide their time running from the laundry mat to wash clothes and cleaning sewage damaged items from their homes.

We are in the process of looking into the legalities of setting up a trust fund to help pay for baby food, diapers, rental of equipment (power washers), contractor help, etc. We're also looking into having a benefit, food drive, and other events.

Wednesday evening Christina and Mystical will be going door-to-door to make lists of who needs what.

Details aren't set in stone at this point, but we could definitely use all the help we can get. If anyone is willing to help, whether it be manpower, donations of time/food/money/clothes/toys/other items, or if anyone has ideas or contacts, please respond to this email.

Every little bit helps. Any remaining items will be sent to other area flood victims.

Thanks,
Christina Mueller
Mystical Listrom

United Way honors Dan Risch, looks forward

Dan Risch, center, receives President's Award
from Greg Anderegg, right, and Dave Maurer, left.

Coming off its most successful fund-raising year ever, the United Way of Racine County held its annual meeting Wednesday, thanking retiring directors, electing new ones and looking toward the future.

Although last fall's record-setting $5.125 million campaign, directed by campaign chair Bruce Duerr of Great Northern Corporation, was a pleasant touchstone, the meeting wasn't about money -- it was about "Live United," the United Way's focus on long-term solutions. As Dave Maurer, executive director put it, the "evolution from fund-raising and entitlement to community-building and community impact" that has been going on here for a number of years.

United Way Board President Greg Anderegg of SC Johnson presented the annual President's Award to Dan Risch of Lincoln Lutheran, "for his effective board stewardship, and for constantly challenging us to think outside the box."

United Way members elected four new board members: Denise Wilcox, Twin Disc; Jeff Van Koningsveld, IBEW Local 430; Pastor Pedro Lopez, Primera Iglesia Luterana and Hispanic Roundtable; and Jeff McKeown, Express Personnel.

Re-elected to the board for a second term were: Chris Terry, Carpetland; Therese Rocole, Wheaton Franciscan, All Saints; Jill Hartmann, Neighborhood Housing Services; Dave Titus, M&I Bank; Tom Berger, SEIU; and Robert O'Brien, Extendicare.

Maurer, a United Way executive for 25 years, noted the "disconnect between the public's understanding of what we do" and how the organization, which began in 1887, is evolving. People ask him, "What do you do the rest of the year?" assuming United Way is mostly a fund-raising organization. Words they use to describe it include "charity," "safety net," "handout," an organization "for them."

Instead, Maurer emphasized, the vision of United Way is as a change agent, working for the common good. Words he prefers are "interdependence," "all of us together," "not just them."

The United Way, he said, is all about lasting change and prevention. "We're advancing the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, through education, income and health." The prime example is the creation of HALO three years ago; the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization is far more than a homeless shelter.

"Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems," Maurer said.

Gov. Doyle to draw United Way's $5,000 raffle ticket

Gov. Doyle picks winner for Dave Maurer of United Way

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle will make someone very happy this Thursday -- $5,000 happy.

The governor will be at the Racine County Food Bank to draw the winning ticket in a United Way raffle. The $5,000 prize was contributed to the United Way of Racine County by CNH, and all proceeds will go to the 2007 campaign, which raised $5.12 million this year, the most in the organization's 85-year history.

The local United Way annually is in the top 10% of all United Ways in money raised for the size of the community.

Raffle tickets, costing $20 each, are still available, with a maximum of 1,500 to be sold. Tickets must be purchased before the 4 p.m. drawing Thursday. The governor will draw the winning ticket at the Racine County Food Bank, at 2000 DeKoven Avenue. The winner need not be present to win.

Cocoa and cookies will be served at the event, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

To purchase a ticket, call Marie Hargrove, or any other United Way staff member at 632-5186 between now and 4 p.m. Thursday. Everyone is welcome at the drawing, whether you've purchased a ticket or not.

UPDATE, 12/20: And the winner is ...

Gov. Doyle drew the ticket of Dave Russell, owner of the Cornerstone Bar, located at the corner of High and Erie Streets. He wins $5,000, and the United Way wins about $4,000... proceeds of the more than 400 raffle tickets sold. The prize money was only part of CNH's United Way contribution this year: company and employees raised more than $700,000.

Happy Birthday, HALO! Two years of hope and shelter

Bedrooms in the women's shelter have
uplifting names, not numbers.

An important Racine anniversary passed this week, but if you missed it consider yourself blessed. And not homeless.

Two years ago, on Nov 4, 2005, HALO opened the city's first full-time homeless shelter, in a former Massey-Ferguson factory on DeKoven Avenue. To say it's been a success, and fills a great need, would be two large understatements.

In a single year, it provided 38,314 nights of safe, warm and dry sleep to 944 homeless adults and 200 homeless children.

We should have held a citywide party to celebrate HALO's birthday. And then, of course, redoubled our efforts to make it redundant.

Cheryl Buckley looks over the shelter's busy schedule

You don't have to be one of the hundreds of homeless people who used to traipse back and forth throughout the city -- from one church to another, a different one each night, carrying all your belongings -- to understand the difference a guaranteed and stable bedroom makes, along with regular meals. REST, the old Racine Emergency Shelter Taskforce, performed a necessary service on the backs of church volunteers, and deserves much credit for its years of work; but there simply is no comparison.

When REST provided beds and meals for the homeless, approximately 60 people could be accommodated each night. (Homeward Bound also provided emergency housing for 35 women and children.)

By HALO's definition, homelessness is "a temporary circumstance." Some people only stay one night. But for others ...

According to Cheryl Buckley, HALO's director, about 1,200 people are homeless in Racine County, and 150 to 200 need emergency shelter on a daily basis. Many of those are children.

HALO has beds for 120 people, 60 men and 60 women in two separate areas. But there are many nights when more show up; HALO has stacks of portable mattresses it pulls out for the overflow, setting up for men in their dining room, and for women in a family room. Last Friday, for example, 64 men were sheltered.

More pictures HERE.

As it gets colder, more men will seek beds, Buckley says. "There are more seasonal jobs in the summer, and when it's warm men are more willing to sleep outside in cars, parks, streets or cars. Men are more likely homeless in fall and winter."

For women, it's the opposite; the shelter hosts more women and children occupants in June and July. "The hidden number in homelessness is people living with others," Buckley says. "People live doubled up, with an aunt or grandmother; you get into an argument and are thrown out. But it's real hard to kick them out in winter."

The crunch for women and children comes in May, "when the hammer comes down from the utilities." Under Wisconsin law, utilities are prevented from shutting off service for non-payment between October and April.

Despite all that, Buckley says she feels "a sense of hope here." And well she might: much of HALO's effort is aimed not so much at running a homeless shelter as at trying to fix the underlying problem, one resident at a time.

"All we guarantee people who come here is 24 hours. Then they meet with a case manager and create an Individual Success Plan" that helps them work toward independence and self-sufficiency. "If it takes one year, or two years ... as long as you make progress you can stay here. We're really about connecting people with the services they need. But everybody is surprised at how long it takes." Social Security disability claim appeals, for example, routinely take at least a year and a half to be resolved.

"Ninety-eight percent of the people who come in here want to work, want to be productive. But even when working, they're on the edge; get sick for a couple of weeks and lose a job, and they have to start over."

That was one of REST's frustrations, Buckley says; they saw the same people coming back year after year. "It's like an onion; you peel the layers back. A man is a tool and die maker; try to find a job doing that these days. First the job goes, then the marriage, the kids, the psyche. People are road-weary." HALO aims to end that cycle; help the homeless get diplomas, training, free of addictions.

Buckley was hired just before construction started in the summer of 2005. Her touches are everywhere: for example, rooms are not numbered, but instead named: "Caring," "Peace," "Love," "Kindness," and so on. On the women's side, the names are gaily painted on signs hung on each door, project of a Girl Scout troop. Four bedrooms were recently painted and their floors re-waxed by a group of Johnson-Diversey executives, who spent a day working their muscles and hearts.

Bedrooms are tidy (It must be said: Buckley is a neat- and cleanliness micro-manager). Besides the bedrooms -- there's a subtly tiered system for men: if you have a job, you live in a room without bunk beds -- there is a tutoring room with computers (project of a Leadership Racine class), family room on both the men's and women's sides with comfortable couches and TV, and a colorful children's playroom. And two separate kitchens.

But this is not summer camp. All residents are required to be up and dressed by 8 a.m. and active. There are classes and chores, with big whiteboards listing the schedule, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 to 2, everybody is required to be out of the building, to give the staff time to catch up. Baby-sitters are provided, so mothers don't have to bring kids to appointments in town. The YMCA provides free memberships to all who want it, the DeKoven center offers classes, the Racine Public Library is available.

Besides the shelter, HALO also manages 22 transitional apartments rented for those who are nearly independent; last year they housed 32 adults and 26 children. The cost comes from a HUD grant that used to be managed by the now-defunct Homeward Bound women's and children's shelter. When Homeward Bound was operating, Racine provided (along with REST) beds for about 135 people. Now, with the larger HALO facility there are beds for about 165.

And still they are sometimes turned away. No matter how full, the shelter will find room for anyone from Racine County, but when at capacity it will turn away people from out of town, giving them bus tokens to Kenosha or Milwaukee.. Kenosha still operates its homeless shelters as Racine used to, moving from church to church each night.

By the numbers, in one year:

944 people sheltered
672 adults created Individual Success Plans
301 moved to a permanent address
95% of parents attended parent education classes
Of 200 children: 98% had wellness check-ups and immunizations
98% attended school regularly
75% maintained passing grades

Things you didn't know:

-- HALO is one of those hard-wrought acronyms, more trouble than they are worth: Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization.

--REST, the old Racine Emergency Shelter Taskforce which HALO replaces, performed a necessary charitable service thanks to myriad church volunteers, and deserves much credit for all it accomplished. Cleaning out church basements, setting up and taking down 60 beds a night, cooking meals for all who needed food, taxed a lot of resources.

-- Many people helped bring HALO to fruition, but the one without whom nothing would have happened is David Maurer, executive director of the United Way of Racine County, who, starting in 2002, formed the committees, populated the task forces, knocked on corporate doors seeking capital and put his organization's money where its mouth was. United Way put up $150,000 in transitional funds to make the leap from REST to HALO, and currently supports the organization's $1 million annual budget with $280,000.

-- The capital campaign seeking $2.1 million to build HALO in 2005 was one of the more successful here in recent memory, actually raising $2.4 million. Maurer and Willard Walker (chairman of Walker Forge, whose wife, Mary, was United Way board president in 2005) managed to obtain pledges like the following:

$600,000 from SC Johnson
$243,000 from the city
$180,000 from the county
$150,000 from Modine
$100,000 from Twin Disc

-- Executive director Buckley spent 11 years as associate director of the Racine YMCA, leaving here in the mid-90s to direct Y's in Chicago and Des Plaines, before "retiring" in 2002, being recruited to restore the Women's Resource Center to health, and then to direct construction and operation of HALO in 2005.

-- The building is owned by the Neubauer family (Kranz Inc.). HALO and the Food Bank, which each occupy about a third of it, pay only interest payments toward eventual condo ownership.

OIC honors Karen Bayer, David Maurer

Karen Bayer, executive director of Leadership Racine, and David Maurer, executive director of United Way of Racine County, will be honored next month.

They will receive the 2007 Leon H. Sullivan Community Award at the Opportunities Industrialization Center's 8th Annual Awards Banquet, on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Racine Marriott.

Claudius Adebayo, director of OIC, called Bayer and Maurer "two of the giant pillars of community service in the area."

Named after the Rev. Dr. Leon Howard Sullivan, who founded OIC in Philadelphia, 44 years ago, the community award honors those making permanent contributions to the community.

Both Bayer and Maurer have demonstrated their dedication to improving the quality of nonprofit management and services, their love of children, family and the organizations that serve them, Adebayo said.

For 85 years, United Way of Racine County has provided resources to improve the quality of life for people throughout the county, through nonprofit agencies and support of community leaders.
Leadership Racine, established in 1997 by RAMAC, the Racine Community Foundation and the United Way, prepares promising leaders for positions of public influence and decision-making.

OIC of Racine County was opened in 1988. It operates a number of programs helping low-income populations; its YouthBuild Racine Project, which trains young adults in construction trades and helps them to complete their GED, won an award for being the best in the nation in February.

The Leon H. Sullivan Awards Banquet is a fundraiser for OIC. The banquet will also feature a silent auction of donated items including African arts, Harley-Davidson jackets, solar-powered family tent, luggage, collectible coins and tools. Reservations are being accepted at (262) 636-3818 or e-mail on or before Nov. 2.