In the Know column: United Way is partnering with students

By Jen Jabas, director of the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties

United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties and Alexandria Area High School have partnered to offer a student United Way or “Students United” group as part of the Student Leadership Council at AAHS.
The Leadership Council has two focus areas: School and Community. Projects and initiatives are built around culture and impact. Students demonstrate leadership within the school and out in the community. This Students United group is focusing on health education and financial stability through service.
Students in the Leadership Council can participate in either School culture or Students United service activities throughout the year based upon their interest.
Student United Way is a campus-based community change organization, led by students, that addresses critical health education and financial stability issues in our community. Students in this group are part of an intentional network of young people who are working to advance the common good in our community. It offers students a meaningful way to engage in United Way’s mission to provide opportunities that improve the lives of their friends, neighbors and members of their local community.
Students have selected the projects that they are interested in in the areas of health, education and financial stability and are producing huge results already that have benefited the lives of others:

Projects so far:

• Food drive for the AAHS Food Shelf — students put out boxes within the school to collect non–perishable food items with 600 items collected.
• United Way Holiday Program — Students United shopped for Christmas gifts for 80 registered children in the United Way holiday gift program. United Way raised funds through local donations for the students to shop with to ensure that all families could provide gifts for their children.
• I Love to Read Month — Students United visited Woodland, Voyager, Lincoln, Garfield, Miltona and Carlos schools to read to elementary students. They encouraged reading and supported literacy efforts by instilling a love of reading for all kids by serving as role models and sharing why they love to read and why it is important.

Coming soon…

• United Way Poverty Simulation — Students United will host a Poverty Simulation with United Way at AAHS open to all community members. This is an interactive experience to raise awareness and increase understanding about poverty and how to serve our community and create change.
• Mental Health Awareness Project — students gain valuable leadership skills that they are using and serve as role models for other students.

“Each person must live their life as a model for others.” — Rosa Parks
United Way is bringing the United Way credo to life by providing real life opportunities for people to give, advocate and volunteer to help others, improve our community, and advance the common good. We are so proud of the amazing student leaders in our schools and the impact they are making on their school and community! Stay tuned for many exciting partnerships and activities in the future!

Jen Jabas is the director of the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties. “In the Know” is a rotating column written by community leaders from the Douglas County area.