OpportUNITY

Working to Address Poverty Together

OpportUNITY is driven by the belief that: 

• Poverty and barriers to financial stability prevent central Iowans from thriving in our community. 

• We can, through our collective action, eliminate these barriers and reduce poverty. 

• Change cannot happen without ALL OF US. We need you to advocate, educate, participate, and communicate. 

Collective Impact 

To reach our goal of reducing poverty, we use a collective impact model built on five interconnected components proven to lead to large-scale results: 

• Common agenda: A shared vision for change 

• Shared measurement: Agreement on how success will be measured and reported 

• Mutually reinforcing activities: Diverse stakeholders across sectors 

• Continual communication: All players engage in frequent, structured, and open communication 

• Backbone support: Independent, funded staff dedicated to the initiative of community improvement 

OpportUNITY Workgroups 

The progress we’ve made toward our goals is the result of our collective work through eight work groups formed following the launch of the first OpportUNITY Plan in 2014. Work groups continue to meet regularly to share information about their topic and to take action to meet specific goals. Since forming in 2014, some groups have restructured into subgroups and some have redefined their work. Others have merged with other groups in the community in order to avoid duplicating efforts and to make the greatest impact. The results are streamlined and effective groups with clear direction and focused efforts.  

• Food Insecurity [link to page] 

• Housing [link to page] 

• Re-entry [link to page] 

• Transportation [link to page] 

In addition to working in these specific areas, we are reducing poverty by raising awareness, collecting data, and sharing and utilizing information about solutions. We are still working toward increasing coordinated alignment of programs, plans, efforts, and resources, while identifying gaps in our work. 

All individuals are invited to participate in an OpportUNITY work group. The only requirement is a dedication to create change in our community. Work groups are bonded by their desire to strengthen our community and a passion to help people while holding one another accountable to ensure that the work is accomplished. Each month our work groups and their subgroups find ways to educate, advocate, participate, and communicate for change in our community. 

A Backbone of Support 

United Way of Central Iowa provides the backbone support for OpportUNITY’s efforts as a key component of the collective impact model. United Way staff members work to raise awareness of poverty and engage community members in Polk, Warren, and Dallas Counties. Staff help work groups implement action plans and lead advocacy efforts with more than 2,000 individuals signed on in support of OpportUNITY. In addition, several United Way staff provide expertise and leadership in work groups, as well as communications and administrative support alongside many dedicated stakeholders.