In Australia United Way is active in 10 communities. In 2008 we raised $A10 miliion supporting the work of 300 grassroots community organisations and engaged more than 2485 volunteers investing 13,900 volunteer hours.

The United Way movement including United Way Melbourne is undergoing the most significant transformation in our history as we move from being a fundraising organization to a Community Impact organization. This means that we are focused not just on raising money but also on the impact our investment makes on local community conditions. Our ultimate goal is to make lasting changes that improve lives.

Here at United Way Melbourne, we are starting the process of harnessing the opportunity to forge a new model and lead a social movement that calls on the collaboration of all sectors of our community – government, business and non government organizations – to address the root causes of the deepening disadvantage in our communities.

Drawing on the experiences of the global United Way movement, our focus now is on the basic needs for a good life – education, income and health. Education is essential to getting and keeping a job to live independently. An adequate income to pay for life’s necessities and to save for the future provides families with some sense of financial stability. Access to quality health care keeps children on track in school and adults productive at work. If any of these elements are missing, the others are compromised.

United Way Melbourne has three priority areas for our community impact strategy built around the basic needs for a good life. They are:

Education – helping children achieve their potential by enhancing school readiness
Income – promoting financial stability and independence by ensuring youth are productive and engaged
Health – improving people’s health by focusing on mental health and substance abuse

In our next newsletter, you will find information on projects which will play a key role in implementing our long term vision for social change.

From the team here at United Way Melbourne, we take this opportunity to wish all our Corporate and Community partners a safe festive season. We thank you for assisting us with your Christmas collections in providing both food and presents for those in need.

2010 is set to be a busy and memorable year as United Way Melbourne begins its focus towards community impact that generates social change.

Amanda Smith, General Manager United Way Melbourne