United Way of Southwest Michigan Holds Impactful Business After Hours Event with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Featuring 2025-2028 Agenda for Change
United Way of Southwest Michigan Campaign Coordinator Dawn Howley talks to members of the public and United Way Board about the 2-1-1 service, part of the Community Resiliency impact area at the Business After Hours event August 22.
United Way of Southwest Michigan hosted over 100 community leaders from area businesses and organizations, alongside donors, Board members and impact partners at a Business After Hours event, co-hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. Attendees toured United Way of Southwest Michigan’s offices on Lakeview in St. Joseph on Thursday, August 22 between 5-7pm.
Guests joined United Way staff members to visit staged ‘impact areas’ of the building, where staff educated those attending on the organization’s work in the community. The opportunity to learn gave community members a chance to ask questions and network with staff about potentially holding an employee campaign at their workplace, volunteering, or making a gift.
The impact areas visited by attendees included:
Volunteer United: By organizing volunteers through our digital Volunteer United website, we connect needs with opportunities, easily and efficiently. The Volunteer Engagement program at United Way also fronts major community events such as School Supply Spectacular in Cass County, and Rake a Difference in November.
Healthy Community: By supporting initiatives that prioritize physical and mental health, address food insecurity, and support vulnerable households, we can enhance long-term financial stability by fostering healthier, more productive populations. Healthier communities lead to lower healthcare costs and higher productivity, benefiting everyone. Attendees learned about collective impact programs, such as Be Healthy Berrien initiatives.
Financial Security: By investing in workforce development, financial education, affordable housing, and emergency assistance, we aim to create pathways out of poverty and ensure that more families can achieve financial stability. Guests were informed about programs like the VITA Tax Preparation program.
Youth Opportunity: By investing in education, particularly for students below the ALICE threshold, we can ensure that more children are reading at grade level by third grade, graduating from high school, and preparing for successful futures. Attendees learned about funded programs, such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Community Resiliency: By supporting crisis response services, disaster relief, and recovery projects, we help ensure that our community is prepared for and can recover from unexpected challenges. Guests were reminded of the importance of services like 2-1-1, United Way’s free service for the three county area, connecting individuals with resources in a time of need.
“It was incredibly rewarding to see attendees deeply interested in the work being done in our area and asking insightful questions,” says Anna Murphy, President & CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “The staff really appreciated and welcomed the engagement and were excited to share the details of our funded programs and the effective work of our 49 community impact partners.”
The event was sponsored by several partners that made in-kind and other contributions, including: Blu Cat Consulting, Purpose Partners, Silver Beach Pizza, and The Cheese Lady St. Joe. Door prizes for attendees included an opportunity to win a $100 gift card courtesy of Four Winds Casino, a $50 gift card courtesy of Silver Beach Pizza, and a Clifton Strengths Assessment for one individual, courtesy of Purpose Partners.
For more information on the 2025-2028 Agenda for Change and the timeline to apply for funding for non-profits in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren County, visit uwsm.org/agenda. For opportunities to start an employee campaign at your workplace, join us at uwsm.org/workplace-campaign.
About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to sustain a united community where everyone contributes, belongs and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community's most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocacy, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org.
