Ames Community School District

United Way invests in the building blocks for a great quality of life. By focusing on health, education, and financial stability we can ensure we’re meeting the needs of today and building a better future for all. We've developed a bold goal in each of our impact areas:

Improve community health by serving 4,500 more people by 2025
Health is a central tenant of a great quality of life. Good health keeps kids in school, keeps adults employed, which helps keep households stable. By investing in the health of 4,500 more residents in Story County, we can chip away at the inequities that keep people from succeeding. Health services can range from in-home hospice to mental health, substance abuse counseling to healthy food.

Decrease the achievement gap by reaching 30% more underserved learners by 2025
For years, the work of our local collaboration has been recognized by the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading. This work doesn’t start and end in third grade. We need to give kids a great start by helping support parents, delivering engaging out of school experiences, utilizing proven intervention strategies, and equipping community members with tools to address issues of impact. We also recognize the vital nature of community support in volunteering for mentoring programs and summer learning.

Strengthen financial stability by increasing the number of people served by 25% by 2025
Thousands of Story County families aren't in the financial position to weather even a small storm, struggling paycheck to paycheck. The COVID-19 pandemic has been no small storm. The numbers of people looking for help with basic needs is staggering. The work to build financially stable families can range from emergency support to helping families stay in school or maintain employment to strengthening their financial literacy. The final result of this is improved financial capacity and the ability to save for future emergencies.

View more on our 2025 Community Impact Goals here.

Able Up Iowa

All Aboard for Kids

American Red Cross

Ames Community Preschool Center (ACPC)

The Arc of Story County

Assault Care Center (ACCESS)

Boy Scouts of America, Mid-Iowa Council

Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County

The Bridge Home (formerly ERP)

Camp Fire Heart of Iowa

Center for Creative Justice (CCJ)

Central Iowa RSVP

ChildServe

The Community Academy

Eyerly Ball

Friendship Ark Homes

Friends of CASA

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance

Heartland Senior Services

HIRTA

Legal Aid Society of Story County

Lutheran Services in Iowa

Mainstream Living

MGMC Home Health Services

Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA)

NAMI Central Iowa

Primary Health Care

Raising Readers in Story County

The Salvation Army

Storytime Child Care Center

University Community Childcare

YSS

YWSC Ames-ISU

For more information on each partner, visit uwstory.org/partner-agencies.

Dear Ames CSD Staff:

United Way of Story County is in the position to improve lives of individuals and families by focusing on the areas of health, education, and financial stability. When the needs of today are met, prosperity and success are within reach for tomorrow. This is what we are working to create through our partnership with United Way of Story County.  Together we have the power to create a stronger, more vibrant Story County and a better life for us all. This work touches each of us as concerned citizens and caring educators.

Consider these examples of how your gift can make a difference:

·  health care services are available for those who live with a mental illness

·  children have the tools they need to be ready for school and to be reading proficiently by 3^rd grade

·  families have their basic needs met as they work toward financial stability

We would like to invite you to be part of the community-building efforts by giving, advocating, and volunteering through United Way of Story County. One way to make a big impact is by participating in the workplace giving program. Taking part in the campaign truly does make a difference right here in our communities.

We encourage you to consider how you can impact your neighbors and students with a gift during the district’s employee campaign. Visit www.uwstory.org to explore the power behind your contribution.

In knowing the importance of this effort, Ames School District offers payroll deduction. You can pledge now and have the amount deducted from your paycheck beginning in January. Thank you for helping us LIVE UNITED at Ames Schools!

Campaign dates: November 
Contact: Jared Larson or United Way at 515-268-5142 with questions

Every donation makes a difference! Consider these examples:
$5 a week provides 70 nutritious meals for seniors
$10 a week provides 104 books for early literacy programming
$20 a week provides customized financial education for 5 Women United program attendees