United Way Organizational Guide

Every December for the past several years, the International Palestinian Youth League (IPYL) and the Alternative Information Center (AIC), a joint Palestinian-Israeli policy advocacy and grassroots activist organization have sponsored an international work camp in Bethlehem. Volunteers from all over the planet come to this holy place to celebrate Christmas with Palestinians and to spruce up the former Israeli army base that has been turned into a residential village. IYPL and AIC are building a school, hospital, a youth house, and a series of gardens there.

Hunger affects every demographic daily. Feeding America is a domestic organization that serves every state with a network of over 200 food banks and feeds over 37 million people annually. They achieve these high numbers due to dedi9cation and extreme resourcefulness. With every $1 donated, Feeding America can provide 7 meals to the children, men and women who face hunger daily.

Founded in 1979, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 350,000 houses, sheltering more than 1.75 million people around the world. The organization’s mission is to eliminate homelessness around the world and with the help of sponsors and volunteers; Habitat manages to build affordable homes. If you volunteer for Habitat for Humanity you can expect physical labor but previous construction experience isn’t necessary. Volunteers are trained and supervised and everyone leaves with a sense of satisfaction and a little dirt beneath their fingernails.

City Harvest is one of the most popular non-profit agencies dedicated to feeding New York City’s homeless. They are committed to feeding hungry people in NYC with innovative, practical and cost-effective methods. Rescues food that otherwise would be wasted and delivers it to those who serve the hungry. They also strive to be a model for others to fight hunger in communities.

Working at a food bank to provide food and household items for families in need. Help a pet by volunteering to provide shelter and medical care to homeless dogs and cats. Help the elderly by making a difference in their lives, whether they’re terminally ill or mourning the loss of a loved one. Help Habitat for Humanity by providing grunt work to build houses or helping out with various tasks around the office. Join Relay for Life and help with fundraising efforts for the months leading up to an event.

In 1887, a Denver priest, two ministers and a rabbi recognized the need for cooperative action to address their city’s welfare problems, and with that, United Way was born. That original organization collected funds for local charities, coordinated relief services, counseled clients and made emergency assistance grants all for the sake of a better world.

United Way improves lives by gathering communities around the world to advance the common good. The aim is to improve education, help people achieve financial stability, and promote healthy lives. The goals are ambitious, but when we all work together they can be achieved.