Oct 6, 2017

5 Ways to Welcome Refugees to Central Iowa

Welcoming and supporting refugees is on people’s minds these days—and in our conversations. Refugees share our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces in central Iowa. They enrich our community economically and culturally. In return, you can help them feel welcome here.

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Sep 20, 2017

What Life is Like After Prison

“I was more scared to leave prison than I was to go to prison.”

Jamie Roos shared her story of re-entering society after serving 16 years at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville to a crowd of about 60 people on Thursday, September 14. 

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Jul 6, 2017

Johnson Named OpportUNITY Program Director

United Way of Central Iowa has hired Seth Johnson as OpportUNITY Program Director. In this role, Seth will lead the community's collective impact plan to eliminate barriers to self-sufficiency and reduce poverty in central Iowa. 

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Jun 9, 2017

Summer Food Service Program Kicks Off in Des Moines

As summer kicks off, so has a campaign to encourage families to access sites providing free meals to kids and teens ages 18 and younger. 

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May 31, 2017

Bridges to Success Celebrates 80 Students at Graduation

On May 7, I was honored to attend the Bridges to Success graduation at Roosevelt High School to celebrate 80 students who achieved their high school equivalency diplomas. Since it was my first time at this event I didn’t know what to expect, but rest assured, it was truly inspiring. 

Bridges to Success is a partnership between Des Moines Area Community College and United Way of Central Iowa to provide innovative strategies and supportive coaching to help central Iowans on a path to financial stability.  

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Apr 19, 2017

5 Things You Need to Know About Affordable Housing

Finding affordable housing is a barrier for many central Iowans working toward achieving financial stability. As a result, many low-income residents are spending most of their income on rent and forgoing many essential needs, such as food and medical care. Many are only one crisis away from becoming homeless.

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Jan 18, 2017

Youth Career Readiness Programs Address Poverty in Central Iowa

Preparing youth for successful careers from the start increases their likelihood of graduating and earning more throughout their life. This is especially critical for youth living in poverty.

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Jan 13, 2017

6 Ways to Straighten Out Your Finances in 2017

Don't put it off any longer: January is the perfect time to get your finances in order.

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Jan 12, 2017

5 Reasons to Get Your High School Equivalency & How to Do It

If you don't have a high school diploma, you're not alone.

34,000 central Iowans ages 18 and older don't have one. Fortunately, a new, free program called Bridges to Success makes earning your high school equivalency diploma (HSED), formerly known as the GED, easier than ever before. And it will change your life.

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Jan 9, 2017

3 Steps to Free Professional Tax Preparation

United Way's VITA program offers free tax preparation at one of four locations in central Iowa for anyone who made $58,000 or less last year.

The New Year brings new resolutions -- and the start of tax season. If your goal is to get organized this year, you can start by preparing to file your state and federal taxes in January. United Way of Central Iowa's VITA program provides free professional tax preparation services to anyone in our community who earned $58,000 or less last year. VITA and planned giving experts The Stelter Company offer these three simple steps to get ready for your taxes this year:

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