Community Initiatives & Partnerships

Community Needs Assessment
Every three years a comprehensive, community-wide survey consisting of demographics, community trends, needs and barriers/gaps in services is compiled. Community leaders, a sampling of the general population and specified focus groups complete questions regarding health, human services and the arts. Recommendations are formed and shared with the community.

View 2007 Community Needs Assessment

Day of Caring
Each year 400+ volunteers join together to complete 20-30 service projects throughout Howard County to benefit area non-profit organizations. This project is coordinated and conducted by the United Way Volunteer Activities Committee. The goal is to involve families, students, work groups and individuals in an activity that builds ownership and understanding in the community while helping to meet the needs of area non-profit organizations.

Dentists Delivering Smiles
Indigent adults that have no insurance or dental provider and that are experiencing pain, fever and swelling are referred to participating local dentists for care. Applicants are screened at 211. Patients pay a minimal co-pay for program services and prescriptions. If dentures are required, patients pay a sliding fee through an individual account set up for them.

Financial Stability Coalition
Twenty community partners including City of Kokomo, Center Township, Ivy Tech, IUK, IRS, Kokomo Rescue Mission, Kokomo Urban Outreach, Family Service Association, AARP, Key Bank and United Way began meeting in 2009 to discuss Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits. As a result, a campaign promoting families to file for EITC was formed and two free income tax preparation sites for low-income families were opened. Eighteen volunteers were trained and completed taxes on Wednesday evenings, Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. These sites were the first sites of their kind in Howard County to file electronic returns. Volunteers served 50 hours, filed over 90 returns and claimed over $120,000 in refunds.

Food Pantry Network
In response to increased need and lack of resources, United Way facilitates the Food Pantry Network. Each month pantries meet, visit each other's facilities and share ideas to stretch resources. Through this network, most local pantries participate in a database sharing program.

National Letter Carrier Food Drive
In cooperation with the National Association of Letter Carriers # 533 and the United States Postal Service, United Way assists in coordinating Howard County's food drive. Letter Carriers and volunteers collect nonperishable food items at residences. Collected food is then distributed to all Howard County food pantries.

Ramp-N-Roll
Ramp-N-Roll is a joint project between Carpenter's #615, the faith community human service providers and United Way. The purpose is to provide applicants last resort access for the design and construction of wheelchair ramps. Applicants are screened by 211 based on household income. Upon approval, labor and/or materials for construction may be provided.

S.U.P.P.L.I.E.S
In August, a coalition of labor unions partner with United Way to provide over 1,000 children with needed supplies to begin school. For one week, volunteers screen families and distribute backpacks, Kleenex, pencils, paper and other items collected or provided by unions and other community groups. Clothing and shoes are also collected and distributed.

4Community
This new project is facilitated by United Way of Howard County and partially funded by IaUW. The goal is to help families strengthen themselves. This begins by identifying champions and forming neighborhood councils to identify needs/assets. Councils then coordinate self-directed improvement projects.