Dear Sioux Empire United Way Supporter,

The 2012 Campaign is up and running, thanks to our more than 800 campaign volunteers. Our most recent audit shows the campaign at $1,616,003, or 16.7% of this year’s $9.6 million goal. Thank you for your continued support of Sioux Empire United Way and our 97 different partner programs!

Keep reading for updates on how your gift is at work in the Sioux Empire right now, making a difference.

Sioux Empire United Way

It’s Nursery Rhyme Time

Please join us Saturday, October 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall for our annual Reading Festival! This FREE event is open to all families with children from birth to age 7. Highlights this year include:

• Interactive story performances
• Hands-on activities for children
• Opportunities to meet storybook and nursery rhyme characters
• Literacy information for parents
• Free book for all children

Find more information at www.seuw.org.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year women experience about 4.8 million intimate-partner-related physical assaults and rapes. Men are the victims of about 2.9 million intimate-partner-related physical assaults. That’s why Sioux Empire United Way partners with programs to provide services to domestic violence victims, families and friends.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, Children’s Inn set a record high with 63 women and children in shelter. Last year, The Compass Center served 504 individuals with courtroom advocacy, protection order assistance, counseling and more.

Lisa, a previous client of Children’s Inn, said, “Life and death, that’s what the Children’s Inn means to this community.” Read her story.

“From the outside we were just a normal couple, a normal family,” said Sandra, of the time before she sought services through The Compass Center. Read her story.

Community Impact Grants

Applications are now being accepted for 2012 grant funding. One-year grant funds are available for any new or expanding programs in the Sioux Empire. Past grant recipients include Augie Reads, Furniture Mission and Family Visitation Center. Find more information by clicking here or calling our office at 336-2095.