United Way of Whitewater Valley committed to strengthening partnerships that create lasting change in the lives of Wayne and Union county residents.

United Way of Whitewater Valley is sharpening its focus by addressing key issues to create lasting change in people's lives. We're becoming more focused in making strategic choices, which is critical, because needs are growing faster than resources. Together with community partners, we will concentrate our efforts on pressing issues defined by the community.

The foundation of the United Way of Whitewater Valley's Future Strategies lies in the Community Voices Assessment that was completed in 2008. In completing the assessment, the United Way partnered with other leading organizations in our community. United Way, Area 9 Agency, City of Richmond, Richmond Community Schools, Wayne County Vision, Wayne County and the Wayne County Foundation together lead the process. The United Way and its partners engaged the community in a discussion of the pressing needs, and the greatest concerns in the Community Voices Assessment led to the creation of four Focus Areas: Education, Youth and Families, Health, and Community Vitality.

To lead the work in each of these areas United Way create Vision Councils. The Vision Councils are comprised of strategically recruited members who have expertise or an identified skill set beneficial to the target issues of the Vision Council. Members are local experts on the issue, direct service providers, community representatives and include representation from the United Way Board of Directors.