Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1043738
United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County is preparing to conduct a Community Needs Assessment. The process through which we plan to collect the data, aside from third party data and statistics, is through hosting Community Conversations in each of the seven coun- ties in our service region. We want to find out what, with the input from community members, leaders, educators, service pro- viders and more, are the most critical issues that are facing these communities. What is a Community Conversation? A Community Conversation is the process through which United Way turns to the communities we serve, seeking their insight, knowledge and input with regard to chal- lenges facing the communities we live in. We think there's no one better equipped with the knowledge and insight about their commu- nity's needs than those that live there. These Community Conversations are large, kitchen table style conversations with community members ranging from your neighbor, your co-worker, and your friends, to local community leaders. We think that getting to hear the perspective of more than just experts on critical community issues helps us to identify the root of the struggles, challenges, and obstacles that members in our communities are fighting to overcome. This process will be done every three years to ensure that the efforts of United Way are working to address relevant, criti- cal needs. Why do you need my input? From the findings in the Community Needs Assessment, the United Way Board of Directors will decide on a strategic direction for our local United Way, with funding priorities for United Way and its grant funds collected through fundraising efforts. We want to know that we are doing the best thing we can with each dollar we raise to help build a stronger community. United Way works to ensure that the impact we have within the communities we serve fights against the most critical issues they are facing. Who stands to benefit? Advancing the common good is less about helping one person at a time and more about changing systems to help all of us. We are all connected and interdepen- dent. We all win when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, and when people are healthy. What does United Way do? United Way fights for the health, educa- tion, and financial stability of every person in every community. We fight to improve people's health through preventative actions and access to care - from expanding availability of healthy foods and quality healthcare to pro- viding assistance to vulnerable populations. We fight for children, youth, and adults to achieve their full potential by preparing them with the knowledge and skills they will need to be engaged and to ultimately build an educated workforce and stable community. We fight for local families and individu- als providing knowledge and support to better manage finances, teaching skills to obtain and keep jobs, and advocating for safe and affordable housing. Join Us! Get involved, and join the conversation. Go to unitedwayif.org to find out when the Community Conversation in your local area will be conducted and join us! If you aren't able to join at the Community Conversation, participate online through our website and share with us what you see as the most critical issues facing your community. We have one life to live. To live better, we must Live United. Community Needs Assessment United Way of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County