Yes, I'd like to learn more about hosting a table at this year's event! Email United Way.
Yes, I'd like to receive an invitation to this year's event! Email United Way.
WomenUnite
Each year more than 600 women from across the community join together to be inspired and united behind a cause they can relate to. The event gives women an opportunity to be educated about a need in our community, rally around it, volunteer for the cause, and pledge their support. Through the passion and involvement of WomenUnite attendees, several United Way initiatives have been launched community-wide and since 2005 have touched more than 16,000 lives. Past initiatives featured include: Wings for Life (Girls on the Run and mentoring), Bright Start, Starting Strong, Genesis, and BackPack Program.
Last Year
Nearly 700 women rallied around the importance of high school graduation and Sioux Empire United Way's newest partner program, USucceed. Building on Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota's successful School-Based Mentor Program, USucceed's goal is to provide support to at-risk high school students. Adult volunteers commit to mentoring a student for four years, helping them set and attain educational, housing, and employment goals along the way. From the response at the WomenUnite Event, nearly 40 women became first-time mentors in the 2011-2012 school year.
USucceed launched in January 2012. There are currently 25 active mentor matches and work has already begun on recruiting mentors for the incoming freshmen class of 2012-2013. Students are already exploring their college opportunities through the new USucceed University component and volunteering in the community. Learn more about USucceed.
More Work to be Done
The 2012 WomenUnite Event will launch an expanded partnership between YWCA Sioux Falls and Sioux Empire United Way. The event will also take us back to the roots of our initial event in 2005, when we successfully launched Girls on the Run, which now serves more than 500 girls at over 30 area elementary schools.
Girls on Track
United Way's newest initiative inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident by using a fun, experience-based curriculum which integrates running. This 10-week after school program is available for girls in grades 6-8 and is led by volunteer women coaches. Learn more about this exciting new program.