Creating Opportunities, Advancing Social Mobility

Read Marian Karr's guest opinion from the Iowa City Press-Citizen on February 5.

February has been declared “Opportunity in Iowa” month to recognize the growing movement to restore the American Dream.  In signing the proclamation, Governor Terry Branstad encouraged all Iowans and businesses to conduct one or more activities that enhance access to the American Dream here in our state.  I am encouraging you to make one of those activities supporting the United Way of Johnson County.

Already nearly 5,500 contributions from local businesses, employees and individuals have been made to the 2011-2012 United Way Campaign for the Common Good for a total of over $2.25M, but more is needed to reach the goal of $2.45M by the end of this month when the campaign closes. Gifts range from $1 to over $10,000, and every donation matters. The United Way is about participation, inclusion, creating opportunities and improving lives. It is the pooled resources that are invested in community programs, services and initiatives that deliver on the promise of opportunities through success in education and job training, improving financial stability, and improving health. United Way is THE way our community comes together to do this. 

Over the past two years, United Way of Johnson County has led efforts to identify and assess the needs in our community and to create a shared vision for a collaborative approach to advance the common good.  The 2020 Vision Goals for the Common Good focuses on the three building blocks we all need to realize our potential – education, income and health – and sets measurable goals and community strategies to reach them.  

United Way works across sectors to connect education, jobs, families, health and community in issues that underlie the idea of opportunity. In the words of Rick Stengel, editor of Time magazine, “The quest to increase social mobility is not a Democratic or a Republican idea.  It’s not a liberal or a conservative idea. It is an American idea, part of the mission statement of our republic. We need to keep this the land of opportunity.”

United Way is a champion for these ideals, and is committed to mobilizing the caring power of our community. For the thousands of people in our community who are struggling to achieve economic security, United Way and its partners are here to help meet the most basic needs -- food, housing, child care, health care and transportation -- while creating pathways to a better future.

Please join the Campaign for the Common Good to support the 2020 Vision Goals for the Common Good. To learn more and make a contribution, visit www.unitedwayjc.org today. 

Thank you to all who have answered the call to LIVE UNITED.

Marian Karr is a longtime support of the United Way of Johnson County and member of the 2011-2012 United Way Campaign Cabinet.