--- title: Stories | United Way of Central Iowa | 211 description: 211 | Success stories about the community impact made by United Way of Central Iowa and its partners. --- [![White Full logo-8-1](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/White%20Full%20logo-8-1.png?width=559&height=182&name=White%20Full%20logo-8-1.png "White Full logo-8-1")](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/) [![DONATE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/542539/297ef930-7a06-40d1-8f7b-173b553599f6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/542539/297ef930-7a06-40d1-8f7b-173b553599f6) [![VOLUNTEER](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/542539/3549f8b5-de58-4575-9f74-f8f62520eb4a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/542539/3549f8b5-de58-4575-9f74-f8f62520eb4a) ![Book-Web-Header](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/General/Web%20Page%20Header%20Images/Book-Web-Header.jpg?width=1920&name=Book-Web-Header.jpg "Book-Web-Header") # IMPACT STORIES Nov 8, 2021 12:06:43 PM #### [Paying It Forward](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/ameka-wilson-211) [![](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hubfs/Ameka%203.jpg) ](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/ameka-wilson-211) Starting at 211 as an Information and Resource Referral Specialist in March 2020, Ameka Wilson had no idea what was in store for the upcoming year. As with any new job, she was excited and a little anxious. With a wealth of community and customer experience– and knowing what 211 offered our community from first-hand experience – she was more than ready for the flood of COVID-19 related contacts that were to come. [Read More](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/ameka-wilson-211) [All posts](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/stories/all) UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA 1111 9TH ST  •  Suite 100 Des Moines, IA 50314 (515) 246-6500   •   [contactus@unitedwaydm.org](mailto:contactus@unitedwaydm.org) ## Need Help? Dial 2-1-1 [![211 Iowa - Get Connected, Get Help](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/211%20Logos%20062019/211%20Logo%20-%20color%20(white%20bubble)%20-%20No%20Tagline.png?width=180&name=211%20Logo%20-%20color%20(white%20bubble)%20-%20No%20Tagline.png)](http://211iowa.org/)     ---   [![Charity Navigator four star rated charity badge](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/UWCI/Website/Miscellaneous/Images/Charity_Navigator2.png?width=150&name=Charity_Navigator2.png "Charity Navigator four star rated charity badge")](https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/420680425)United Way of Central Iowa is proud to have earned a four-star rating for 18 straight years from Charity Navigator, an American independent charity watchdog organization that evaluates charitable organizations in the United States. This record places United Way of Central Iowa in the top 1 percent of charities nationwide. Click the logo to review our complete evaluation. [![candid-seal-platinum-2024](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/candid-seal-platinum-2024.png?width=108&height=108&name=candid-seal-platinum-2024.png)](https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/7474f287-45d6-42ae-8f99-9365333ee703)United Way of Central Iowa has received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. The seal is given to nonprofits who have achieved the highest level of transparency through disclosures, information made available to the public, and accuracy and frequency of updates. Click the logo to learn more. © 2024 United Way of Central Iowa. All Rights Reserved. [**](https://twitter.com/UnitedWayCI) [**](http://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayofCentralIowa) [**](http://www.linkedin.com/company/61568) [**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/unitedwayofcentraliowa/) [**](http://www.youtube.com/user/UWofCI) [Privacy Policy](https://www.unitedwaydm.org/privacy-policy)