Guest Blogger: Jerry Cavness, United Way of NWA

At United Way of Northwest Arkansas we believe that all people in our community deserve the opportunity to have a better life. Today more than ever, we are working to address the issues Northwest Arkansas cares most about. We refer to it as “advancing the good of all”. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes because if any one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

Did you know…?

More than 33,000 children in Northwest Arkansas are on the free or reduced lunch program. More than 60,000 residents in Northwest Arkansas are living in poverty. Each night there are more than 1,100 people in Northwest Arkansas that are homeless, living each night in a shelter, a car or a friend’s home. Over half of these 1,100 homeless are children.

What can we do about these statistics? We believe there are three main building blocks to help address these areas. They are Education, Income and Health.

Education: Helping children and youth achieve their potential through education by improving access to quality, affordable child care and early learning opportunities. Also providing after-school and mentoring programs for at-risk youth.

Income: Helping families become financially stable and independent by supporting basic needs while increasing financial education. Working to have more affordable housing for seniors and families.

Health: Improving people’s health by increasing access to critical healthcare services. Working to reduce substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence and increasing health education and preventive care.

These building blocks can only come about with involvement of us all as givers to and supporters of the over 86 funded United Way programs. Much can be achieved by Giving, Advocating and Volunteering. If we join hands, open our hearts, lend our voices and muscles we can make a difference. LIVE UNITED! Reach out a hand to one and influence the condition of all.

Thank you,

Jerry Cavness
Area Coordinator
United Way of Northwest Arkansas
(479) 524-6639
jcavness@unitedwaynwa.org