During times of crisis, when many are hurting, caring people across our community want to know how they can help. Rally for Recovery is a communitywide event for YOU from September 28 through October 2. Join us and thousands of your co-workers, friends and neighbors to learn about the challenges central Ohio is facing and how YOU can get involved.
Because what we do together today determines how we Live United tomorrow. Let’s rally!
It's Up to All of Us
The effects of COVID-19 have disrupted our lives, but not to the same degree. While we have all experienced concern for our health and safety, thousands of families in our community can no longer meet their basic needs, impacting overall wellness and student success.
Rally for Recovery is designed to awaken central Ohio at all levels of charitable giving—from the highest levels of corporate giving to individual contributors like you. This is not a drill. United Way nonprofit partners need your financial support now more than ever before. By making a contribution this week, you can help ensure people will have access to food, shelter, education and so much more.
Thank you for your support.
Lisa S. Courtice, Ph.D., President & CEO, United Way of Central Ohio
How To Get Involved
There are many ways you can get involved in Rally for Recovery. Donate, volunteer, participate and spread the word!
Experience
Our self-guided digital poverty simulation allows you to participate in the experience on your own time, while still developing a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding poverty.
Please spread the word about Rally for Recovery on your social media pages. Your support will benefit our nonprofit partners.
Use #RallyforRecovery and tag us
Our Events
MonSept28
9-10AMRally for Recovery – A Community UNITEDWatch Here
Join United Way and special guests to kick off our weeklong campaign to Rally for Recovery. Hear how COVID-19 and demands for racial equity have impacted our community and learn more about the response of the nonprofit sector.
Speakers:
Lisa Courtice, PhD – President & CEO, United Way of Central Ohio
Michael Wilkos – Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
Chuck Gehring – President & CEO, LifeCare Alliance
Gina Ginn – President & CEO, Columbus Early Learning Centers
Jessica Wichtman-Will – Director of Engagement, YWCA Columbus
Jamie Noon – Chief Operating Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters
What if I lived in poverty? This is a powerful question to ask ourselves.
Breaking the Cycle is a digital interactive experience that promotes awareness, increases understanding and inspires local change. When you participate in a simulation like Breaking the Cycle, you increase your understanding of the dynamics of poverty and how to create social change through impact, collaboration and service. This simple but powerful experience develops a more complete understanding of issues surrounding poverty.
Speakers:
Michael Wilkos – Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
Brandi Davis – Senior Manager, Volunteer United, United Way of Central Ohio
3-4PMLet's Lead United: Impact and PhilanthropyWatch Here
Learn how you can join Leaders United to be part of the movement working on impact, justice and philanthropy. Personal accounts from change leaders and their involvement in furthering the mission of United Way as ambassadors.
Speakers:
Solonas Karoulla – Relationship Manager, Leadership Giving, United Way of Central Ohio
9-10AMRacial Equity: Now That We Know the What and the Why, Let’s Talk How. Watch Here
Be educated and empowered regarding how to respond individually and organizationally to racial equity. Speakers will share personal experiences as well as learning and research to implement organizational level change that include policies and practices. Key takeaways will include how to disrupt the status quo and break down barriers to create environments to help lead in a new, impactful way.
Speakers:
Shayne Downton – Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, United Way of Central Ohio
Stephen Francis – President, Franchise D&I Solutions, LLC
Siobhan Boyd-Nelson – Director of Development & External Relations/ Board Secretary, Equality Ohio Education Fund/Black, OUT & Proud
Jennifer Ingram – Founder and CEO, Calibrated Lens
12-1PMCOVID-19 and Demands for Racial Equity: Supporting our Students in Changing TimesWatch Here
Panelists will discuss the impact that COVID-19 and demands for racial equity are having on students locally. As schools are faced with the reality of moving to all-virtual environments in response to COVID-19, families, social service providers, governments, businesses and community partners are rushing to respond to the needs of our schools and their kids. Simultaneously, voices demanding racial equity in all aspects of society, including education, are getting the attention they deserve. Panelists will discuss these issues, explore their challenges and opportunities, and discuss how our community can rally around and support central Ohio’s kids and their families.
Speakers:
Ryan Edwards – Assistant Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
Noelle Britt – School-Family-Community Coordinator, One Linden School Initiative/The Ohio State University
Tasha Booker – Executive Director, City Year Columbus
Kyle Strickland – Senior Legal Analyst & Special Assistant to the Director, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity Race & Cognition Program
Carol Beckerle – Board of Education Member, Columbus City Schools
What if I lived in poverty? This is a powerful question to ask ourselves.
Breaking the Cycle is a digital interactive experience that promotes awareness, increases understanding and inspires local change. When you participate in a simulation like Breaking the Cycle, you increase your understanding of the dynamics of poverty and how to create social change through impact, collaboration and service. This simple but powerful experience develops a more complete understanding of issues surrounding poverty.
Speakers:
Michael Wilkos – Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
Brandi Davis – Senior Manager, Volunteer United, United Way of Central Ohio
What if I lived in poverty? This is a powerful question to ask ourselves.
Breaking the Cycle is a digital interactive experience that promotes awareness, increases understanding and inspires local change. When you participate in a simulation like Breaking the Cycle, you increase your understanding of the dynamics of poverty and how to create social change through impact, collaboration and service. This simple but powerful experience develops a more complete understanding of issues surrounding poverty.
Speakers:
Michael Wilkos – Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
Brandi Davis – Senior Manager, Volunteer United, United Way of Central Ohio
12-1PMColumbus Metropolitan Club: Achieving Racial Equity in Your Nonprofit OrganizationWatch Here
This panel will discuss the successes and challenges facing non profits’ efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations.
Featuring Seleshi Asfaw, President and CEO, Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services, Rachel Lustig, President and CEO, Catholic Social Services, and Tasha Booker, Vice President, City Year, Inc. and Executive Director, City Year Columbus, with an overview of survey findings by Michael Wilkos, Senior Vice President of Community Impact United Way of Central Ohio UWCO.
3-4PMLeaders United: Leading the Way for a More Equitable CommunityWatch Here
A panel of community leaders will discuss their personal experiences with community-based initiatives that strive to unite volunteers, philanthropists, advocates and activists in creating real change in central Ohio. Join others who have a passion for making a difference and learn how you can get involved in creating and funding local grassroots projects.
Speakers:
Aja Davis – Director, Individual Giving and Donor Stewardship, United Way of Central Ohio
Erin Upchurch – Executive Director, Kaleidoscope Youth Center
Lena Tenney – Coordinator of Public Engagement, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity Race & Cognition Program
LaShaun Carter – Assistant Director/Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Franklin County Children Services
9-10AMName a Single Columbus Historical Fact? You Can’t? You’re Not Alone.Watch Here
What do the Short North arches mean? What was the first tax approved in Columbus? Why did the state capital move three times before landing in Columbus? Most residents of central Ohio come from outside the metro area, across the country or around the world, which means we need to establish a base of our new home. Full of importance, the city has a unique history with many great contributions to regional and national history. Established in 1812 as the first city in the United States solely created to be a state capital, Columbus was not an early success. Prosperity in the city is not evenly felt. Some neighborhoods struggle while others thrive. This session will give you a new look at your city. Learn fun, quirky, interesting and historically noteworthy facts about Ohio’s capital and largest city, and how the past shapes our current day.
Speaker:
Michael Wilkos – Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
12-1PMBasic Needs During COVID: How Our Community's Safety Net is AdaptingWatch Here
Learn how nonprofit service providers of shelter, food and assistance have adapted their service delivery models to ensure people are able to meet their basic needs. We will discuss lessons learned in 2020 and key elements of what a new normal of basic needs will look like in 2021.
Speakers:
David Reierson – Senior Director, Basic Needs and Stable Families, United Way of Central Ohio
Melinda Carter – Vice-President, Columbus Urban League
Jyoshu Tsushima – Staff Attorney, Tenant Advocacy Program, Legal Aid Society of Columbus
3-4PMColumbus is a Growing and Prosperous City. Yet Prosperity Eludes Many. Watch Here
Cites are constantly changing. Central Ohio is booming. Columbus, now the nation’s 14th largest U.S. city, continues to make national lists of cities to watch. However, not everyone is participating in this progress. Not all neighborhoods are on the rise. Central Ohio continues to struggle with high poverty, economic and racial segregation. In fact, 400,000 residents do not have enough income to meet monthly basic needs. This presentation unpacks our changing demographics, land use patterns, neighborhood and cultural changes through a racial equity lens using visuals, historical analysis and current statistics. You will leave this presentation with a new, deeper understanding of the city we share and how we experience it differently.
Speakers:
Michael Wilkos – Senior Vice President, Community Impact, United Way of Central Ohio
Scott Marier – Executive Director, Westerville Area Resource Ministry
Robert Caldwell – CEO/Lead Trainer, AnswerPoverty.org
Michelle Heritage – Executive Director, Community Shelter Board
Join our esteemed panelist as they discuss the critical role that businesses and higher education institutions play in ensuring the communities where they are located are thriving.
Speaker:
Lisa Courtice, PhD – President & CEO, United Way of Central Ohio
Tune in to our telethons on 10TV and ABC6 Friday, October 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. to make a secure gift matched dollar for dollar by generous sponsors. Help provide relief and hope to local families!
Telethon powered by Nextivia
Participating Companies
The generous contributions made by local corporations and their employees is the lifeblood of United Way of Central Ohio. We are very grateful for their support.
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