• Our Youth Success RFP is OPEN NOW through February 10 to youth-serving organizations in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana. More than 30 community leaders and volunteers will take part in reviewing applications! More information and apply HERE.

• Youth Success RFP press release: https://dev.metrounitedway.org/metro-united-way-accepting-applications-for-the-youth-success-rfp/
• The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood’s Regional Collaborative is currently conducting a needs assessment around the use of developmental screening across the state. Our Ages & Stages Hub has been asked to provide data on our work.
• Metro United Way will be hosting a community conversation on Monday, February 27 on Head Start and Early Head Start.
• We held our second annual Countdown to Kindergarten professional development training geared towards partners and child care providers to create a more unified approach of sharing resources and messaging across community partners and supporting coordination and alignment of kindergarten readiness practices. Dr. Sheridan Langford presented about health forms, immunizations, and development milestones that doctors are looking for to help families prepare for kindergarten. Anyone who was unable to attend this session, can watch the recording HERE.
• Our Ready for K Alliance Healthy Development Action Network has created the first-ever parent and caregiver advisory group. This work is building the foundation for how we can equitably include parent and caregiver voices to strengthen advocacy with the voices of individuals with lived experiences.
• Working with our public policy team to form partnerships across Kentucky to support HB129 which would allow birthing centers in Kentucky​.
• Participating in the planning of Black Maternal Health Week, April 11- 17. Including participating in a committee focused on finding experts in the community to speak on various topics related to Black maternal health.
• We’re planning our annual Annual Early Childhood Educators Celebration to celebrate early care and education leaders. It’s scheduled for Thursday, March 30. More details to come.
• We had a successful Indiana Statehouse Day and connected with Representatives Payne, Clere, Engleman, and Fleming to share about our public policy work and the impact we’re making.
• Join us in Frankfort for Live United Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 15. Register HERE.

• We are so excited to launch our first cohort of Black entrepreneurs through our new partnership with FundBLACKFounders which will include coaching and support to assist with training, capacity-building, raising capital, and identifying customers. Applications open Monday, Monday, February 6 and the application link can be found HERE when it is live.
• For the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Healthcare Workforce Innovation Coalition initiative, we will be serving in multiple roles: 1) leading the coordination of financial coaching support for individuals participating in workforce training; 2) connecting fundraising support to entrepreneurs from marginalized communities; and 3) coordinating consultation for employers to promote inviting workplaces for diverse populations. Read more about this $40 million investment in our community HERE.
• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites opened for the tax season on January 17. Qualifying for one of the tax filing options is easy and simple! Visit this website for more information
• Volunteer-supported tax preparation program prepares and electronically files returns for you (In order to qualify, your household income should be $66,000 or less). Please view 2023 Tax Preparation Sites Brochure to find a location and hours of operation for all tax services. There is never a charge for any of the volunteer-supported services. There are also options for preparing yourself. The self-file options are free as long as you meet the income qualifications. More information can be found here.
• Don’t forget – Take This! A Photovoice exhibition addressing economic security and the prospects of guaranteed income on display at The Social Practice Lab by appointment extended through March 24. Located at 1229 S Shelby St. Louisville, KY 40203. Contact Michael Kopp to arrange a viewing: michael.kopp@thesocialpracticelab.org.
  Closing reception for Take This! A Photovoice exhibition on Friday, March 24, 5 – 8 pm at The Social Practice Lab.​
• We had a successful Indiana Statehouse Day and connected with Representatives Payne, Clere, Engleman, and Fleming to share about our public policy work and the impact we’re making.
• Join us in Frankfort for Live United Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 15. Register HERE.

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• We’re preparing to support a fifth round of home repairs for seniors living in the California neighborhood in partnership with New Directions Housing Coalition in alignment with our United Neighborhoods work.
• Build-A-Bed in Southern Indiana is Saturday, February 18. Family support kits including sheets, bed in a bag, pillow, personal care items, and more will be provided to kids who don’t have their own bed. We’re finalizing volunteer recruitment and working with five school districts to secure final numbers – 200 beds will be built which is the most yet!
• We will be launching a Farmers Feeding Families RFP on Wednesday, March 15 to support food-related needs in Shelby County. More details to come!
• The Emergency Food and Shelter Board Program for Jefferson County, Kentucky program provides basic needs assistance through a national program coordinated through United Way Worldwide. Jefferson County Kentucky will soon be receiving nearly $340,000 that will be distributed through an application process to organizations selected to receive funding by a local board of experts facilitated by Metro United Way. More about this opportunity will be shared in the coming weeks.
• Working with Mayor Greenberg’s administration in planning of Mayor’s Give A Day 2023. More details to come.
• Wrapping up the United Community Care Coordination Center pilot with the HopeBuss. Once the client queue is cleared, we will head into evaluation, dissemination, and scaling efforts.​
• Preparing to launch the Housing Initiative 2.0 in partnership with New Directions Housing.
• Participating in conversations around 2-1-1 expansion to provide a deeper level of coordinated care to our seven-county region.​
• Continuing to expand United Community Engagement efforts in our county regions. Harrison County and Shelby counties in Indiana are both excited about getting more involved on the platform.​
• Join us for our virtual United Community Lunch & Learn co-hosted with UniteUs on Tuesday, February 21 at noon via Zoom. You may register HERE.
• We had a successful Indiana Statehouse Day and connected with Representatives Payne, Clere, Engleman, and Fleming to share about our public policy work and the impact we’re making.
• Join us in Frankfort for Live United Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 15. Register HERE.

• Our Racial Wealth Gap Simulation (RWG) continues to be a powerful learning and engagement tool. We’re happy to announce that in honor of Black History Month, we will offer a free and open-to-the-public RWG. It’s scheduled for Tuesday, February 21. Register HERE. In less than a week we were at capacity so opened up more spaces!
• In addition, United Way of Central Indiana’s leadership will experience the simulation on Tuesday, February 7 and Humana will engage with 150+ employees on the same day. River City Housing will participate on Wednesday, February 28. Since our last Impact Tracker, we’ve hosted the simulation for over 250 total participants between, Region 1 Kentucky Family Resource Youth Service Centers (FRYSC’s), Best Buy, Inc. Leadership, and Region 2 FRYSC’s. ​
• Our next Beyond Buzzwords event is planned for Wednesday, February 22 and will feature best-selling author and one of Time Magazine’s most influential leaders of the year – Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Register HERE. More than 300 registered already!

  

• In alignment with United Way Worldwide membership requirements, we held an equity training with our Board of Directors on Wednesday, January 25 led by Nikki Lanier of Harper Slade Racial Equity Advisors.
• Our Black L.O.V.E. partnership has continued with Resilia and our cohort of grantees to strengthen and build capacity as they work toward real community change. Also, a retreat is being planned to both foster shared accountability and explore needs and gather data to inform the future of Black L.O.V.E. We’ve finalized plans to continue partnership with Torch Enterprises and Dr. Pamela Jolly as we engage our first cohort of partners for their second year.
• Press release on what Metro United Way is doing during Black History Month and ways to engage and learn more: https://dev.metrounitedway.org/metro-united-way-celebrates-black-history-month-through-focus-on-equity/