UWGMC is currently conducting a community needs assessment to determine the most pressing human care problems and issues in the greater Mercer County area. In preparation for the next funding cycle to begin in January 2008, UWGMC is making a concerted effort to involve the community at every level for the necessary feedback to make an effective funding plan. This process is being done in the following phases:

1. UWGMC volunteers and staff review available secondary research, including demographics and best practices.


2. Community Needs Assessment Surveys are sent to over 3,000 residents and are tabulated.


3. Focus groups with community residents are held during the last 2 weeks of May in four sites throughout the county.


4. Focus groups are conducted with key community leaders.


5. Meetings are conducted with key contributors.


6. Volunteers and staff synthesize data into funding strategies or portfolios for the RFP.

We will focus on four Impact Areas for the next funding plan: Helping Children Succeed, Fostering Self-Sufficiency, Caring for Seniors and People with Disabilities, and Accessing Healthcare. Based on the results of the assessment, volunteers and staff will develop performance indicators for each area that will result in measurable outcomes. These community impact outcomes will drive the RFP (Request for Proposal) process and ensure that UWGMC invests in quality community projects, programs and services that produce results that matter.


Our intent is to engage the greater Mercer community to address the underlying causes of our most pressing social problems and to work together to reduce or to eliminate those problems over time. This is a longterm process that will involve not only community agencies, government, and educational institutions, but also local businesses and corporations to leverage scarce resources and to build stronger communities.

The community funding plan will be available in the fall of 2006, when staff will deliver the report to the Board of Trustees. The RFP will go out in early 2007 for funding in January 2008.

For further details or to volunteer, please contact: Patrick Cacacie, VP of Resource Investment, by phone at 609-637-4910 or patrick.cacacie@uwgmc.org.

Back to Top

Craig E. Lafferty

Spring is here! The crocuses are blooming. Soon the daffodils will be swaying in the warm soft breeze. What a great time to be in the Garden State.

As winter becomes a distant memory, now is a great time to make some new memories. You could spend a morning helping one of America’s Greatest Generation members do spring cleanup around the house and yard. You could help read to children at a day care center. Or you could organize a food drive to replenish the shelves at a local emergency food pantry. The possibilities are endless and the memories will be priceless.

All this can be accomplished by contacting the United Way or visiting the website, www.handsonhelpers.org.

So gather up your friends. Put the kids in the car. Find a few hours to make a difference in the lives of someone you don’t yet know. The memories will be priceless and the result of your time is “what matters.” Have a great spring!

Back to Top

As we are a few months away from the next hurricane season, United Way of America is continuing to help families that are still struggling after the 2005 hurricane season. United Way of America has established a long-term recovery fund, and our local board gave an additional $20,000 to assist in their efforts.

“We help coordinate the long-term recovery by harnessing the expertise of community leaders and corporate partners. Building on the work we do year-round in our local communities, we bring together agencies, businesses, government and individuals to identify and meet urgent needs and help rebuild lives. With the size and scope of the hurricane devastation this year, there is a lot of work to be done. It will take all of us, working together—from donors to volunteers to supporting organizations—to make sure our communities are safer and more vital places to live,” says Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America.

Last summer, United Way of Greater Mercer County collaborated with Trenton Vet Center, Mercer County Veterans Services, Family Guidance Center, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, and law firm Saul Ewing, LLP to develop an assistance program to provide counseling, legal, and financial services to Mercer County military personnel and their families who have been mobilized, deployed or affected due to the U.S. Global War On Terrorism. We have helped several families in greater Mercer County and we are still available for continued help. Program services include:

• Referral to social services, mental health counseling, and emergency financial assistance through Catholic Charities, Family Guidance Center, and/or Jewish Family & Children’s Service


• Veterans Administration counseling services at the Trenton Vet Center


• Pro bono legal services at Saul Ewing, LLP


• Consumer credit counseling at Family Guidance Center

For more information, contact Patrick Cacacie, VP of Resource Investment at United Way of Greater Mercer County via 609.637.4910 or patrick.cacacie@uwgmc.org.

United Way of Greater Mercer County manages the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program for the Mercer County Department of Human Services (MCDHS). This program provides assistance for working parents who reside in Mercer County. Child care providers receive $150 per month for each child of a parent who participates in the program, before and after school programs receive $50 per month per child of participating parents, and summer camps receive $450 per child for eight-week sessions or a percentage of their tuition for anything less that eight weeks.

During a recent meeting of UWGMC and MCHDS it was agreed that a survey should be created in order to evaluate the success of the program and discover areas where improvement was necessary. The survey was created and sent to all past and current participants in the program. The results are now being tabulated and evaluated. The results of the survey will be used to help set goals for the future. Below are some of the comments from parents who have completed the survey:

• "Thank God for United Way (UWGMC) being there when they were needed."


• "I do not think I would be able to afford a good day care for my daughter without the help of United Way (UWGMC)."


• "Thank You!"


• "The program has allowed me to offer more things to my children, like entering into T-ball and cheerleading."

This program is making a difference to the families of Mercer County. If you are interested in participating in the program contact LaVerne Ombadykow at 609.637.4908 or laverne.ombadykow@uwgmc.org.

Word of mouth is bringing United Way of Greater Mercer County Latino Vision Council to the next level, and members of other communities are showing interests in starting their own Latino Vision Council. Recently, we met with representatives from Morris County to share lessons learned in our own development and accomplishments here in Mercer County. We will work with Morris County representatives to help establish a joint Latino Vision Council in Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.

Part of LVC’s mission is to help other communities establish their own local Latino Vision Council. By monitoring and assessing the needs of the Latino community, we can help assure that a strong network of caring leaders addresses the issues that matter most in the lives of grassroots communities. The council is committed to providing technical assistance to the leaders of these areas and helping them to impact the multiple needs of their local community. For additional information on our Latino Vision Council, contact Elly Mateo at 609.637.4918 or elly.mateo@uwgmc.org.

Back to Top

UWGMC is currently in the process of establishing a New Business Development (NBD) committee. The committee will help UWGMC identify, recruit, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with companies throughout Mercer County. Today and in the past, the ongoing dedication and united efforts of concerned business leaders has been critical to UWGMC’s success in addressing human service issues and needs.

Partnering for a stronger community involves tapping into and cultivating a diverse source of business leadership, including small businesses. A major recruitment effort to engage small businesses in United Way activities and volunteer opportunities will be implemented. The time, talent, energy and resources that entrepreneurs have to offer create diverse benefits and added value to everyone. The New Business Development committee is forming now in time for the 2006-2007 campaign kickoff. If you are interested in joining the New Business Development committee or would like to recommend someone, please call Donna Wilson at 609.637.4907 or donna.wilson@uwgmc.org.

Jose Obando has been a very good friend to United Way and the greater Mercer County community. This year, with the support of The Williams Companies, Jose has organized the First Annual Making Miles Makes Cents event for United Way.

Starting Monday, April 3 and continuing every weekday afternoon (weather permitting) through September 29, Jose has pledged to walk along the Delaware & Raritan Canal to benefit United Way and the Community Impact Fund. You can become a supporter of our “Walking Man” by sponsoring Jose for as many days, weeks, or months that you like. You can choose the duration. A pledge of $0.25 for each mile walked within your selected timeframe will qualify you as a Walking Man Booster, but most importantly, you will be providing much needed assistance to the myriad of programs that address the most pressing needs in our community. Check out Jose’s progress at www.uwgmc.org and submit your pledge or call Eta Yager at United Way at 609.637.4901 or eta.yager@uwgmc.org.

Interested in organizing your own Making Miles Makes Cents event for United Way? Jose will share his materials, techniques and ideas with you to help you get started. United Way will, of course, be there to help too!

Back to Top

Women United in Philanthropy is a new kind of philanthropy, based on the belief that every issue is a woman’s issue, and on the collective, passionate power of women. It’s about being a successful woman in a community of like-minded women, honing the fine art of generosity and reducing the inequities that divide our world.

Our mission is to inspire women to become leaders and to expand the pool of women in philanthropy. As a network for women to meet, learn, celebrate and invest together as philanthropists, we also support the advancement of women as business and community leaders.

Membership is open to women of all ages, interests and means, by contributing $1000 or more annually to the Women United in Philanthropy pooled fund. From this fund, the membership works with the Resource Investment Cabinet at United Way to award large scale grants to programs that are critical to making our communities stronger and better places to work and live.

Join Us. Together, we can raise the sights of women about legacies of leadership each of us might leave behind.

Contact Carolee Kueller, Vice President of Resource Development to learn about becoming a Women United in Philanthropy Council member at 609.637.4902 or send an email to carolee.kueller@uwgmc.org.

Back to Top

On the evening of May 4, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. guests will have the opportunity to network with local professionals interested in improving lives and building stronger communities. Young Leaders United’s “Sake It To Me!,” a sushi and sake tasting event at Conduit’s Skyline Room in Trenton, will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the Young Leaders United program and to explore the benefits of community involvement while in a fun and relaxed setting. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a selection of Japanese sushi and sake in the process. An assortment of sushi will be provided by Ichiban of Princeton, along with music from our guest DJ, The Groove Doctor.

Registration before and up to April 24 is $20 per person. After April 24 and up until the evening of the event, registration will be $25 per person. For any questions or to register and RSVP for this event, please contact Thomas Kim at 609.637.4913 or email thomas.kim@uwgmc.org.

With spring in the air, that only means one thing: summer is just around the corner! What better way to kick off summer than with a delicious, freshly made, smooth and creamy ice cream blended with your favorite mix-ins on a frozen granite stone, at Cold Stone Creamery in Mercer Mall!

Save the date, June 22, for a day full of fun, mouth-watering ice cream, prizes, entertainment and community caring. With every Cold Stone purchase 25% will go to United Way of Greater Mercer County to assist in their mission to do “what matters” by helping those most in need in our community and making our community a better place to live. Eating ice cream while helping your community, what a perfect combination!

For more information please contact Jodi Inverso at 609.637.4903 or email jodi.inverso@uwgmc.org.