OSKALOOSA —
For a half century, they’ve been trying to make Mahaska County a happier and healthier place to live.
What is now known as United Way of Mahaska County is celebrating its 50th year. With that, the organization is looking to change things up a bit, while still maintaining all the efforts they have been involved with previously.
What started as United Community Services, became part of United Way’s worldwide organization as United Way of Mahaska County in the 1980s, said Brianne Fitzgerald, executive director of United Way of Mahaska County.
United Way of Mahaska County is in the beginning stages of taking on the “community impact model,” which has been used by United Way locations in larger cities for some time now.
Fitzgerald noted that this model will help create long-lasting change in the community by finding the source or root of the biggest issues facing the community. This includes going beyond their work with various human service agencies, explained Fitzgerald.
She said business owners, civic groups, volunteers and government can have a part of this effort.
“You first have to decide what your local issues are that you want to address,” said Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald has been taking a “data wall,” which highlights different issues of possible concern, to various area locations to get a sense of what is most important to the local community.
Statistics on education, income and health in Mahaska County played into what appears on the data wall, said Fitzgerald. This will help the impact model move forward, she said.
In early 2013, the United Way’s Board of Directors will begin to sit down to evaluate what they’ve learned about the major issues facing the area, Fitzgerald said. By the spring time, Fitzgerald hopes the community impact model will really get going locally.
United Way of Wapello County has been part of this model for a few years, according to Fitzgerald. She said it has been successful in that area.
“We’re looking forward to this new impact model and what it’s going to do for our community and partnering with everybody to continue to do so,” Fitzgerald said. “I can’t wait to start talking about the changes that are coming ahead.”
Those interested in supporting the United Way of Mahaska County can do so in a number of ways. Some area businesses have internal methods for donating to the United Way, Fitzgerald noted. People wanting to make donations can also mail or bring in donations to 500 High Ave. W.
Southeast Iowa
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Kevin Van Arendonk moves some mulch at this playground in Edmundon Park back in September of 2011 during the annual Day of Caring. Herald file photo by Andy Goodell
United Way eyes ‘community impact model’
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