Initiatives

United Way of Allen County plays a critical role in our community by convening and supporting collaborative
efforts that address needs no one organization can address alone. We identify partners, facilitate interagency
agreements and provide resources for these initiatives.

EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Cradle to Kindergarten raises awareness about the importance of early childhood learning and ensures that
our youngest citizens can enter kindergarten ready to learn. Kindergarten Countdown and Let's Talk are United Way's newest initiatives aimed at helping kids enter school ready to learn. Kindergarten Countdown is a four-week summer preparatory session for kids at-risk for being unprepared for kindergarten. Let's Talk is focused on encouraging parents and caregivers to talk, sing, and read with babies and young children to help develop language and cognitive skills critical for learning in school. 

Volunteers are matched with at-risk children through Real Men Read and School Buddies to increase the
number of children reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

Education Network: More than 15 local early childhood and youth-serving agencies work together  to recruit volunteers and share resources.

2-1-1 SERVICES, SUPPORTED by Lutheran Health Network

• Connects residents with vital services.
• Plays a critical role in connecting homeless people to shelter.
• Coordinates social services and volunteers during times of disaster.

FREE TAX PREP PROGRAM
Free, high-quality tax preparation for low- and moderate-income residents so they can claim credits and use
refunds to pay bills or pay down debt. Download the 2013 Free Tax Prep Program information here in English or here in Spanish. 

CASE COORDINATION
Allows key social service agencies to integrate services and dollars in order to best meet the needs of
families to help them achieve self-sufficiency.

HOMELESSNESS COUNCIL
Works with local non-profit and governmental agencies to coordiante homeless and housing programs and servies with the goals of:

• Reducing episodes of homelessness;
• Shortening the length of shelter stays; and
• Decreasing the number of returns to homelessness.