United Way of Suwannee Valley, Inc, a nonprofit social service
organization serving Lake City, Florida, and its surrounding areas. The
United Way of Suwannee Valley began in 1968 as a way to meet the
needs of the Lake City/Columbia County community. Lake City-
Columbia County United Fund, Inc. was incorporated on October 10,
1968, primarily to support eight Lake City/Columbia County
agencies. To recognize the addition of Hamilton and Lafayette
counties to its service area, the organization changed its name on
January 13, 1992, to Suwannee Valley United Way, Inc. On May 1,
1994, the new revised and current name United Way of Suwannee
Valley, Inc became effective. Currently, United Way of Suwannee
Valley serves Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, and Lafayette counties
with an ambitious goal of supporting 16 agencies. Even though
United Way of Suwannee Valley depends on the generosity of local
businesses and community members for its growth, the continued
charity of citizens and companies will ensure that United Way of
Suwannee Valley continues to grow and flourish as an organization
dedicated to community advancement. As a result, it works closely
with community-based partners that share a common goal:
strengthening communities and improving lives. In addition, the
United Way of Suwannee Valley prioritizes advancing health,
education, and financial stability (United Way of Suwannee Valley,
2022).
The Mission Statement reads, "United Way of Suwannee Valley
unites individuals and resources to build a stronger, healthier, and
more compassionate community" (United Way of Suwannee Valley,
2022).
According to The United Way of Florida's "History and
accomplishments," The United Way first appeared in the Sunshine
State during the 1920s. The organization began small, but with the
assistance of diligent volunteers and professional staff, it became a
powerful force for good in its communities, raising $202 million
during the 2006-07 campaign (James, 2007).
In Florida, local organizations collaborate to mobilize resources and
leadership by joining their forces in the United Way of Florida state
association. With the progress of this transition, it is evident that
United Ways are fundamental to community well-being. As a
networking vehicle for United Way executives, UWF has expanded
its role beyond providing that valuable service to become a state
capitol advocacy voice for Florida's United Ways and a training center
for United Way staff and volunteers. By doing so, they guarantee to
be the most effective and efficient change agent in the community,
helping to improve human services for all Florida residents. A critical
public policy stance of the United Way of Florida in the 90s focused
its attention on three areas of fundamental importance. Training,
public policy, and the Florida State Employees' Charitable Campaign
are all aspects of Florida's United Ways. As of today, those three
priorities remain the organization's focus. Among its achievements
are Florida's Volunteer Immunity Act, the Nonprofit Officers,
Directors Liability Act, the Revenue Maximization legislation, and the
2-1-1 Network legislation. Further, drafting and passing legislation
relating to Healthy Families Florida, school readiness, the Gold Seal
childcare program, and Florida KidCare (James, 2007).
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awarded $1 million to ten
counties in northeast Florida to facilitate Life Act 2, a program that
enhances seniors' independence and quality of life. In the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina, an individual donor raised the first $1 million of
a national relief fund, coordinating housing and relief efforts for over
2700 evacuees in north Florida and establishing the largest 2-1-1
service in the state. Those efforts were made possible mainly by the
Suwannee Valley Community Foundation, which was created in 2002
by the Suwannee Valley United Way. A grant was awarded in 2004 to
establish the Food Bank of Suwannee Valley, which switched to
Catholic Charities in 2006. Soon after, plans emerged for an internal
volunteer center in 2007, leading to a Suwannee Valley Community
Organization Active in Disaster (COAD) response center. The United
Way of Suwannee Valley Inc., with a 100% charity score and a Four
Star out of Four Stars rating on assessing the charity's accountability
and financial health (James, 2007), the United Way of Suwannee
Valley Inc., serves these communities with excellence.
References
James, T. (2007). Caring Matters in Paradise. United Way, 1-16.
United Way of Suwannee Valley. (2022, November 5). Retrieved from
United
Way: unitedwaywsv.org
