Our Mission
The United Way of Lamar County is celebrating 74 years of meeting the needs of our neighbors through programs focused on the education, financial stability, and health of our community. Started as a community chest program, the United Way in our county has evolved to become a centralized resource to the community and area organization, acting as a voice for those in need in our community and bringing together programs into strategically positioned initiatives to alleviate the high levels of poverty in our community. Our mission is to effectively generate, organize, and distribute resources, but we are more than that to those most in need in our community. We are a signpost for hope in the future and a partner in rebuilding the lives of those who have fallen on the hardest of times.
Our Goals
EDUCATION – Helping children and youth achieve their potential.
Priority Outcomes:
- Children enter school developmentally on track in terms of literacy and social, emotional, and intellectual skills.
- Third graders read at grade-level proficiency.
- Young people graduate from high school.
- Youth develop academic, life and work skills to help them make a successful transition from high school to adulthood.
INCOME – Helping families become financially stable and independent, while ensuring that basic needs are met.
Priority Outcomes:
- Families have support for basic needs, including shelter and food.
- Youth and adults develop financial literacy skills.
- Lower-income families move toward financial stability.
- Community members have resources to overcome disasters and emotional or financial crises.
HEALTH – Improving people’s health.
Priority Outcomes:
- Community members have access to healthier foods.
- Children and adults decrease overweight and obesity and associated chronic diseases.
- Community members have access to basic and preventative health services.
- Youth and adults are healthy and avoid risky behaviors.
- Seniors and people with disabilities maximize their self-sufficiency.