UWImpactReportof2024 FIN - Flipbook - Page 14
COLLABORATION & CAPACITY BUILDING
United Way does what no other organization can do alone—because no one can do it alone.
“Working together is the only way to tackle tough, complex social issues,” said Chris Sargent, UWSCMI President &
Executive Of昀椀 cer.
UWSCMI leads by gathering the right partners and resources. “When people struggle to access food bene昀椀 ts,
health care coverage, or safe and stable housing, the collaborations we build spark new ideas, new approaches, and
stronger, more effective action,” Sargent said.
Building those partnerships and abilities is a crucial skill United Way has been reinventing and reinvigorating for over
a century—over and above the programs it operates and invests in. The result is real impact and lasting solutions.
CAPITAL AREA
UWSCMI has provided staff support to the Power
of We Consortium, Ingham County’s Human Service
Collaborative Council, for nearly 10 years. That
support has included raising funds, conducting a
community needs assessment, promoting the use of
2-1-1, and fostering collaboration across our threecounty region to design and implement a Community
Information Exchange (CIE).
Other Examples:
Participation on the Human Services Collaborative
Councils for Eaton and Clinton counties
Co-leadership of the Capital Area
Child Care Coalition
JACKSON COUNTY
UWSCMI staff serve on multiple
workgroups with the Jackson
Collaborative Network, including the
Shared Measurement System workgroup
focused on a Collaborative Community
Assessment. The assessment is
completed every three years to better
understand community conditions,
identify disparities and help develop
plans to address issues.
KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK
UWSCMI is a member of the Coordinating Council for
Kalamazoo’s Blueprint for Peace initiative, a long-term
and community-led strategy to address community
violence through a public health lens. We supported
this collective impact work directly by distributing
$1,538,043 in grant dollars to address urgent
community violence intervention needs.
Other Examples:
Partnerships with Cradle Kalamazoo,
Battle Creek and Kalamazoo funders groups,
Region 8 Child Care Plan and more.
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2024–2025 Impact Report
Across the region, UWSCMI:
Leads monthly Agency
Directors meetings
Convenes and connects our
funded partners to foster
collaboration and partnerships
on a wide range of issues.
