United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas

Goal: $15,000.00

Specific Need

Since 1926, United Way has been rooted in the Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas communities, listening to local needs and developing partnerships and pathways to meet them.  The idea has always been simple – We accomplish more when we all work together. 

That’s why United Way seeks to connect cross-sector partners and develop community ownership of solutions to build local impact: 

• We collaborate across organizations to identify needs, offer training, and build plans together.
• We fund programs and initiatives, both internally and with community partners, that create youth opportunity, healthier communities, and financial security for all.
• We serve as a hub for connecting individuals in need with vital services.
• We organize volunteer opportunities to meet local needs.

Your support of United Way stays local – enabling more than 30 direct service programs, supporting community-based organizations with training, facilitating volunteers, and developing collaborative systems to address the most critical issues faced by our neighbors in need.  In 2025, United Way facilitated more than 78,000 touchpoints that helped connect individuals and families with basic needs, treatments, and opportunities. W will invest in

Mission

More than 130 years ago, a small group came together with a big idea that sparked the first United Way:  Communities get more done when we work as one.

Today, United Way of Southwest Missouri & Southeast Kansas carries that vision forward - creating pathways to better health, education, and financial opportunities for all.  Through our own initiatives, funding vital community programs at our agency partners, and administration of the Care Partner Network, we connect thousands of people to resources and opportunities each year.

Profile

Care Partner Network - United Way (MO/KS) | Youth Mentoring - Big Brothers Big Sisters (KS) | Family Literacy - NALA (MO), United Way (MO/KS) | Sliding Scale Childcare Fees - The Center (KS) | Integrated Student Support - Sparkwheel (KS) | After School & Summer Camp - Boys & Girls Club (MO) | Medical, Dental, Vision, & Prescription Access - Community Clinic (MO) | Healthcare Access - Legal Aid (MO) | Crisis Care - Children’s Haven (MO) | Mental Wellness - Spring River Mental Health (KS) | Fitness - Joplin Y (MO), Pittsburg Y (KS) | Forensic Exams - Children’s Center (MO) | Substance Use - Lafayette House (MO) | Emergency Aid - Regional Health & Welfare (MO), Catholic Charities (KS), United Way (MO/KS) | Food Pantries - Baxter Springs Thrift Shop (KS), Wesley House (KS), Labette County Emergency Assistance Center (KS) | Child Visitation Exchange - Safehouse Crisis Center (KS) | Domestic Violence - Safehouse Crisis Center (KS), Lafayette House (MO), Legal Aid (MO/KS) | Social Care Referrals - United Way (MO/KS) | Volunteer Coordination - United Way (MO/KS) | Impact Grants - United Way (MO, KS)