At Occupational Development Center (ODC), we provide employment services and transportation to adults with developmental disabilities, physical disabilities or mental illness.
Funding ODC receives from United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) allows us to employ individuals who may have a disability but do not qualify for state or federal funding support. These individuals have chronic barriers to employment and are unable to maintain part-time jobs in a traditional setting. Without funding from United Way, ODC would eventually be unable to serve individuals with disabilities who do not have a supportive funding source.
United Way provides funds for organizations that offer services to the most vulnerable people in our county. There is no other organization that does it better than or as cost effectively as United Way. I personally donate to the United Way and feel good knowing that they will make good use of the money and that it will stay in my community. I encourage you to join me in this effort and donate to the United Way because they fund the services with the greatest need and that have the greatest impact.
You may not know Shelley, Elizabeth or Erin, the staff of United Way, because their office is housed in Chisholm to keep administration and overhead costs low. You do know the local advisory board members, though (Julie Ehrman, Mike Silvers, Sandra Johnson, Nancy Rognerud, Sherrie Lessard, Joann Dornhecker, Jessica Crosby, Traci Saari, Lisa Riggs and Betsy Zaren). The advisory board members are actively involved in United Way, plan events and review Koochiching County agencies’ funding applications. Trusting the local United Way Advisory Board to allocate your money wisely is the same as giving a trusted neighbor the key to your house.
No matter how you look the situation at Boise, our town of 6,000 lost more than 200 jobs and they won’t be replaced quickly. We will see an increased need for social services as families struggle to pay bills during the winter months. More families will be using the food shelf. As stress levels increase, you will see more calls to law enforcement. Problems due to addiction also tend to increase during economically stressful times. The fabric of our community will be stretched under this pressure and strain for several years. During these hard times, we need to unite in order to help our children, elderly, vulnerable citizens and all impacted. United Way is the vehicle to make this support possible for our communities.
