United Way announces 2024 leadership at annual meeting

Apr. 1—The United Way of Clinton County announced its new board members and officers on Thursday at its annual meeting. It also welcomed a 20th organization to its funding list.

The United Way is coming off a year in which it distributed $248,007 to those partner organizations, including the newly added the Clinton County Special Athletes, to promote education, financial stability and health.

"I really feel like all the non profits in our community are gelling and working together," said Andy Green, the United Way of Clinton County's executive director. "There's a stumble here and there, but I really feel like there is a great vibe in town, there's a lot of great things happening."

Another accomplishment for 2023 was Green uniting school supply drives across multiple school districts into one county-wide school supplies drive that distributed packs to more than 3,000 elementary students.

Grow Clinton recognized the United Way with it's Community Impact Award and chose Green as one of the eight Rising Stars who contribute to their business and community.

The new board members are Lindsay Morhardt, Christine Meier, Kevin Bradley and Derek Fox.

The new officers for 2024 are Johnny Hinch as president, Matt Brisch as first vice president, Albrechtsen as treasurer, and Ethan Berg as campaign chair. A second vice president position is vacant as of this report.

The past year also saw the United Way continue its struggle to get to prepandemic donation levels. It's campaign goal in 2023 was $350,000. but it took in $260,000. LyondellBasell delivered $111,114 in donations.

The United Way's Fork Some Pork fundraiser delivered thousands of sandwiches and raised $9,551 under the leadership of Albrechtsen and Brieanne Martin.

"I meet with United Ways all over the state, all over the country. We talk amongst ourselves," Green said. "We all know that this is a hard time for non-profits, and it's a hard time for bringing the money in and everybody likes to blame that pandemic."

He likened the situation to silent film stars facing the introduction of sound in movies.

"Sometimes I think maybe this is our 'somebody introduced sound' and we're all trying to live in a world of being like in those the silent movies, those black and white movies, and there is a new thing that happened and we don't really know what to do about it," he said. "And so I want to challenge everybody again that we need to be the leaders and we need to figure out what the world is ahead of us. Because we know the need out there is high and it's only getting higher. And, it seems like the help for the need is only getting lower. I think we can really turn that around."

The United Way's partner agencies and programs that it funds are:

—AmeriCorp Reading Programs at the Clinton Community and the Northeast Community School Districts,

—Scouting and character building activities for youth through Illowa Council Scouts,

—Clinton County Imagination Library through the Lincolnway Foundation,

—Recreational, educational and social activities to build and retain skills for people with developmental disabilities through Partners for Exceptional People,

—Early childhood and toddler playgroups with child development experts through the Sawmill Museum,

—Childcare and educational programming for ages 6-11 and second-shift daycare through the YWCA of Clinton,

—Substance abuse treatment and prevention programs through ASAC,

—Sheltering and housing for survivors of domestic abuse through Family Resources,

—Referrals for help and limited financial services for items not covered by other programs through the Information, Referral and Assistance Services/Associate Benevolent Society,

—Housing assistance for the homeless through the YWCA of Clinton,

—CTC Summer Adventure Zone Day Camp through the city of Clinton Recreation Department,

—Stimulant usage reduction program through the Gateway Impact Coalition.

—Comprehensive employment Services for people with intellectual disabilities through Syline Center Inc.

—Health care programs for men and women through Women's Health Services, and

—Health/fitness membership scholarships for low-income individuals and families through the YWCA of Clinton.