Blog

March 27, 2020

    A note to you A note to you from Michelle D. Tucker, our president and CEO   Dear Greater St. Louis region,   When 2020 began, I, like many of you, was full of hope and excitement for the future of our region. While I continue to be full of hope and optimism, […]

March 12, 2020

    What food insecurity means for a child’s development     Food insecurity – not knowing where your next meal is coming from – can affect everyone. From adults, children and families, food insecurity can place an added stressor on their daily lives.   It puts pressure on parents to find enough healthy food […]

March 4, 2020

    Plan a Day of Action in 4 steps   Each year, communities across the country host a Day of Action to encourage volunteers to connect with and make their community a better place.   As April, Global Volunteer Month, is rapidly approaching, why not organize your own Day of Action with your family? […]

  Unlocking the key to our region’s future through impact   United Way has proudly served the Missouri and Illinois region since 1922. We started as a volunteer-led organization raising money to help operate 40 nonprofits with one goal in mind: to help people live their best possible lives.   In 1922, the world was […]

February 18, 2020

  How United Way is building a more equitable community   For Sherita Haigler, United Way’s vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, helping people live their best possible lives means looking at the possibilities.   “We don’t just want to meet a need, but how can we help people to thrive and move to […]

February 10, 2020

      United Way 2-1-1 Employee Helped Speak Hope And Life Into A Caller’s Situation     At United Way 2-1-1, trained professionals provide referrals to health and human services throughout Missouri and Southwest Illinois. With a database of more than 30,000 programs and services across Missouri and Southwest Illinois, 2-1-1 is the leader […]

  United Way 2-1-1 Moves People From Crisis To Stability   Did you know there’s a number you can call any day, any time to receive help with non-emergency life challenges? You know, the ones everyone could face at some point in the lives, like filing your taxes, looking for a ride to a doctor’s […]

January 10, 2020

      Consistency: A resolution worth making     Each January, we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., who believed in working locally to promote peace, justice, kindness and equality for all. He believed in giving your all in everything you do and dedicated life to making the world a better place. […]

      This is what 100 Neediest Cases means for those in need   This holiday season, single mom Crystal was dealing with more than she thought she could bear.   After being sick for months, she was diagnosed with colon cancer at 36. She started undergoing treatment – endless doctor appointments, long hospital […]

December 10, 2019

    Meet the volunteers behind 100 Neediest Cases     100 Neediest Cases has been a holiday tradition in the St. Louis community for nearly a century.   Each year, people across the region adopt individuals and families in need, purchasing essential items and gifts to make their holidays brighter. Last year, 850 cases […]

    How United Way and Lyft are joining forces to overcome barriers     When Phillip* found out he needed a blood transfusion, his heart dropped.   Phillip has sickle cell anemia, which prevents his blood from carrying enough oxygen through his body. This puts him at a higher risk of other complications, such […]

December 5, 2019

  7 Best Moments from 2019   It’s been another incredible year helping our community through United Way!   With 2019 coming to a close, we rounded up some of our favorite memories and biggest impacts.     171,155 United Way 2-1-1 calls Answered Our 2-1-1 call specialists answered 171,155 calls for a total of […]

November 18, 2019

    For many, the holiday season serves as a reminder to give thanks and give back. Getting involved in the community is a great opportunity to bring friends, family and coworkers together and to raise awareness about the community’s needs. For nearly a century, the St. Louis community has come together to help local […]

November 6, 2019

    Get Involved In The St. Louis Region During The 2019 Holiday Season   With the holiday season comes a sense of hope – an opportunity to bring out the best in our friends, family, community and even our region. Give back this holiday season at one (or more) of these volunteer opportunities in […]

October 17, 2019

Building strong communities   When you give to United Way, your generosity helps fund more than 160 nonprofit agencies in our region that position individuals and families for success. But the impact of your gift doesn’t stop there – you’re supporting a variety of programs and initiatives that help build a stronger region.   With […]

September 27, 2019

    Regina Greer on making connections and lasting change     United Way has always been there to connect local people to what they need, but the ways it touches people and the ways in which it needs to connect have grown and changed over the years.   In her nearly 10 years at […]

July 23, 2019

      Bringing the Community Together – Blindfolded   On this field, the balls beep, the bases buzz and the crowd, even while on the edge of their seats, is silent.   This is Beepball, a variation on baseball that allows those who are blind or visually impaired to play, often alongside sighted players. […]

June 13, 2019

    21 Ways to Make an Impact in Your Community This Summer   Summertime means longer days and time off school and work, which means it’s the perfect time to give back to your community!   Want to make the most of your summer? Here are 21 ways to make an impact in your […]

June 7, 2019

    Flood Response & Recovery   Due to unprecedented flooding, many of our neighbors and friends are currently facing property damage and displacement. In times like these, United Way works diligently to leverage partnerships, resources and expertise to assist governments, agencies and individuals with relief and recovery efforts during a natural disaster. And, long […]

March 28, 2019

In 2017, St. Louis residents completed more than 227,000 service hours through United Way of Greater St. Louis’ Volunteer Center. To put that number in perspective, that’s like watching 2,600 movies!   With so many ways to give back, choosing a cause to support can be as difficult as choosing a new movie to watch, […]

March 26, 2019

United Way of Greater St. Louis was selected as one of 13 cities to participate in the Starbucks Service Fellows Program. Starbucks, in partnership with Points of Light, launched this innovative, employer-led service program to catalyze its employees’ passion for service to create enduring change in their communities.   United Way was pleased to host […]

March 25, 2019

Whether you’re looking to save on household goods or update your wardrobe with unique pieces, visiting a thrift store is a great way to find the perfect bargain.   And recently, in the wake of the popular Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” which teaches viewers to organize their homes and purge their closets, […]

March 15, 2019

The term social capital might be trending on social media right now, but it existed long before Facebook or hashtags. The National Conference on Citizenship defines social capital as “the networks of social relationships characterized by norms of trust and reciprocity.” It’s about developing connections with others and using those connections to provide people with […]

December 4, 2018

For 15-year-old Katie Eisenman, life is busy. There’s honor band and youth orchestra rehearsals, Girl Scout meetings and projects, honor societies and chess teams. Like any teenager, the high school sophomore also makes time for sleepovers with friends and relaxing with family.   But through it all, she still manages to give back to her […]

November 29, 2018

Most people think of networking as a way to advance their careers. But last holiday season, Angela Smith brought together her network of family, friends and coworkers for a different cause—brightening the holidays for a family in need through 100 Neediest Cases.   Utilizing the 100 Neediest Cases fundraising platform, the group raised more than […]

November 6, 2018

Attitudes about disabilities and accessibility are changing, and one local volunteer group is leading the charge.   The Arts and Culture Accessibility Collaborative (ACAC), formed last year by MindsEye Radio, a United Way supported agency, is working to make St. Louis’ arts and culture scene more accessible for people with disabilities as visitors, patrons, […]

When was the last time you heard someone say they were excited to volunteer? Typically, we see volunteering as a professional or moral obligation—to beef up resumes, build our networks or act out of gratitude or guilt for the privileges we possess.   None of these are bad motivations. On the contrary, it shows that […]