Column by David Bonnerup, Touch a Life

United Way of Freeborn County distributes the money raised each fall to programs serving five essential needs in Freeborn County:

1. Nurturing Youth and Children

2. Assisting People in Crisis

3. Increasing Self Sufficiency

4. Strengthening Families

5. Supporting Older People

Meeting these five essential needs for the common good of Freeborn County is what the United Way does. Stated more eloquently the mission of the United Way of Freeborn County is &8220;to increase the organized capacity of people to care for one another.&8221;

These essential needs are met when a &8220;partner&8221; agency provides a program or service that fits one or more areas. United Way of Freeborn County is fortunate to have 17 partners that provide 29 specific programs in Freeborn County. Below is a summary of the five essential needs with the partner agencies serving each area.

Nurturing Youth and Children

Approximately 35 percent of United Way funding goes to programs that serve our youth, our future. Partners engaged in this need area are The Children&8217;s Center, Albert Lea Family Y, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Freeborn County Chemical Dependency Center. They provide our kids safe day care on a sliding fee scale, Y memberships to all second grade students in Freeborn County, leadership and learning opportunities for scouts, and counseling for youth struggling with chemical dependency.

Assisting People in Crisis

Nearly 20 percent of funds go to programs that offer help when one of our neighbors is faced with an emergency. The Red Cross, Semcac Community Action and The Salvation Army provide a place to stay after a house fire, a home when a family is temporarily homeless and food when the cupboard is bare.

Increasing Self Sufficiency

Seventeen percent of United Way funds provide job coaching, transportation to work, advocacy and social opportunities for Freeborn County residents who need help and support to do the things many of us accomplish on our own. Arc of Freeborn County and Cedar Valley Services work together and support people with developmental disabilities to be as independent as possible.

Strengthening Families

Fifteen percent of funds provide counseling, education and safety when a family member needs extra help.

Counseling is provided on a sliding fee by trained therapists through Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Service. Crime Victim Crisis Center, Domestic Abuse Project, Circle of Parents and Parenting Resource Center offer support groups, education and safety when a family member is in crisis.

Supporting Older People

Thirteen percent of United Way funding provides meals, rides to medical appointments in Rochester, help around the house and companionship for older people. Senior Resources and Semcac Community Action are partners that provide seven programs to meet the needs of older Freeborn County residents.

Where does United Way money go? It goes to our kids, to people in crisis, to those who need a little help to succeed, to families and to older people. Who are the people that benefit from United Way money? They are our neighbors, the family across the street, a long time Freeborn County resident, someone who just moved here, a stranger and someday it could be you.

Who benefits from the United Way? We all do. Your United Way contribution is an investment in Freeborn County, an opportunity to &8220;Touch a Life&8221; and do what matters.

David Bonnerup is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.