| Emery County residents receive dental care at no cost from the Dental Clinic. Dr. Deborah Perry from the Ogden Clinic and Judy Mackey from the Provo Clinic care for the patient. |
The United Way is a nonprofit agency that improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities, creating positive, lasting change for all. They build community partnerships and fund local programs which address long lasting change that will prevent problems from happening.
Other goals of the United Way are to promote health and wellness, prioritize issues in order to maximize impact, promote financial stability through Utah Saves and individual development account programs, provide emergency assistance, invest in children and their future, and create opportunity and dignity for the most vulnerable in the communities. They strive to meet their goals by involvement in many programs throughout the communities they serve.
Partnering agencies with United Way are: Active Re-Entry, along with their programs, Perkie Travels, P.A.W.S., and assistive technology; the American Red Cross; Carbon and Emery RSVP; Care-A-Van; Community Nursing Services; Early Head Start; the Foster Grandparent Program; the Golden Rule Mission; Moab Valley Multicultural Program; Seekhaven Family Crisis Center; New Heights Clubhouse; the College of Eastern Utah Sun Center; non-insured program; and WabiSabi in Moab. As the United Way works in the four county area, Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan, they are involved with agencies from those counties.
United Way’s board of directors consists of: officers; Ethan Migliori, chair; Jayson Branch, treasurer; Laura Wissmar, secretary; Kate Alleman, president and CEO; and Jennifer Davis, chief financial officer. The remaining members of the board are David Bowles, Dorothy Carter, Debra Dull, Susan Etzell and Robin Potochnick.
“Our goal is to be able to put 100 percent of the personal contributions to the work of the United Way of Southeastern Utah, with none going toward our administrative expenses. We are always looking for area businesses to partner with, or area residents who would like to volunteer or make donations,” said Kate Alleman.
Many of the businesses who are currently partnered with the United Way provide cars, donate office space, or other services which are needed for a business to operate. Of the active community investors, most make monetary investments to the operation of the United Way of Southeastern Utah.
“The current board came on last February and since that time, they have raised more than $50,000. Each of our board members volunteer their time and efforts to making this community service organization work to serve the residents of the area,” continued Alleman. “Everyone in the four county area has a common thread, that is access to medical help. We help those with no medical insurance to get what they need.”
| Kate Alleman, rear, United Way and the dental team at the free dental clinic. Left to right, Dr. Deborah Perry, Sylvia Case and Judy Mackey. |
Alleman told of one service project in San Juan county where they built outhouses for residents of the reservation who currently do not have any facilities. “We go in and assess the community and make the determination of what we can do to meet the greatest needs,” stated Alleman. “Students from the Sun Center went on the outhouse project and completed the work.”
Alleman said evaluations take place in each community in the region, and they then focus on the four-five main areas of need. “We try to get to the root of the problem and solve it so the entire community benefits as a whole,” Alleman said.
In Emery County, the United Way was a partner in bringing a free dental clinic for those without dental insurance. The United Way also helped fund the Family Night Out recently held at Emery High School, and helps fund the Angel Tree project. The Castle Valley Economic Summit was another project in which they participated. Head Start and the Foster Grandparent programs in Emery County also benefit from the United Way.
When emergency situations arise, the United Way is there to help also. During the recent Crandall Canyon mine disaster, the United Way helped fund the Red Cross and their help during that time.
“Anyone who would like to come into our office and check out what we do is welcome. We are located at 45 South Carbon Avenue, Suite 1. Also, anyone who has a need can come in and we will try to help,” said Alleman.
To contact the United Way with questions about becoming a cornerstone partner or active community investor, or any other questions, call 435-637-8911.