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United Way of DeKalb County

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United Way of DeKalb County

UNITED IS THE WAY TO LASTING LOCAL CHANGE. The United Way of DeKalb County, Inc. was originally organized by a small group of community visionaries in 1960. Oren.

Mission: United Way of DeKalb County brings people and resources together to build a healthier community, expand opportunities for youth, strengthen financial security, and foster a resilient, connected DeKalb County. Vision: We envision a DeKalb County where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential, supported by a united community working together to create lasting change. V

alues Statement: At United Way of DeKalb County, our work is grounded in these core values:

Collaboration: We believe lasting change happens when we bring the community together around shared goals. Community Impact: We are focused on measurable results that strengthen the foundations of a healthy, secure, and resilient DeKalb County. Compassion: We approach our work with empathy, always striving to uplift individuals and families with dignity and respect. Integrity: We are transparent, accountable, and driven by a deep sense of responsibility to our community and partners. The "DeKalb United Fund for You" raised $49,195 during their first campaign and with those dollars were able to help support nine agencies. One founder of the United Way was Ms. Barbara S. It was through her spirit and determination that we have grown to the successful organization that we are today. Today, the United Way of DeKalb County is able to help fund multiple agencies and programs within DeKalb County through our ALICE and Community Impact grants. The United Way of DeKalb County is also a member of United Way Worldwide and Indiana United Ways.

09/02/2026

Uniteus' Next Chapter

Remember when we told you Uniteus' story wasn't over? 👀

Well... SURPRISE! He's home.

Ten years after Uniteus first made his way around DeKalb County as part of Indiana's Bison-tennial celebration, our favorite bison has officially started a brand-new chapter.

But first... where exactly has he been?! 😂

After spending several years at Rieke Park along the Born Learning Trail, Uniteus left the park in May 2021 for the ultimate bison spa treatment. 🧖‍♂️ Then came a rather lengthy period of bison hibernation... or maybe an extended vacation. 😴

Uniteus remained tucked away until September 2025, when he made another move and spent nearly a year hanging out in Kirby's garage while we figured out what his next chapter would look like.

Then, in August, a familiar face from his 2016 adventures returned to help.

Those who remember our original Uniteus story may remember the distinguished title of “Official Bison Hauler.” 😂 Well, Kirby's dad, Matt, came out of bison-hauling retirement once again, this time not only transporting Uniteus but also giving him a fresh clear coat to help protect the artists' work for the years ahead.

Thank you, Matt, for hauling this VERY large passenger around once again, clear coating him, and helping us get Uniteus ready for his new home. 💙

And this week, after years of waiting...

Uniteus was finally placed in his new permanent home in Auburn!

Now, a whole new generation gets to discover him.

Welcome home, Uniteus. We've missed seeing you out in our community. 💙

Can you figure out where he is? 👀 When you find him, take a closer look at all of the DeKalb County details painted across him.

📸 And be sure to snap a picture with Uniteus and share your photos with us! Tag United Way of DeKalb County or drop your photo in the comments. We'd love to see the new memories he makes with our community.

Ten years later, Uniteus' story continues... and now you're part of it, too.

A special thanks to Mayor Dave Clark and the Auburn Street Department for assisting us and providing this special home for Uniteus!

United Is The Way To A Connected Community.

09/01/2026

📬 HITTING INBOXES!

Our September edition of United Is The Way: Monthly Impact Report is headed your way!

As summer winds down and we head into a busy fall, there is a LOT happening at United Way of DeKalb County, and we're bringing it all together in this month's newsletter. 💙

Inside the September edition:

✨ An Impact Snapshot of 3 Years of Impact: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
💰 Grant Opportunities & Community Events
🌟 Our latest Face of Impact spotlight
📅 and more!

Keep an eye on your inbox Tuesday through Friday! 👀📬

Not on our email list yet? We'd love to have you!

📩 Sign up to receive future editions of the Monthly Impact Report at unitedwaydekalb.org/stay-date.

💙 United Is The Way To Lasting Local Change.

08/31/2026

Together, We Create Impact.

Throughout August, we've explored the many ways United Way of DeKalb County works alongside our community to create lasting local change.

From expanding youth opportunity and promoting healthy communities to strengthening financial security and building community resiliency, every effort is part of something bigger.

Real change doesn't happen because of one person or one organization.

It happens when neighbors, volunteers, businesses, nonprofits, donors, and community leaders come together with a shared purpose.

Together, we create opportunities.
Together, we strengthen lives.
Together, we create impact.

💙 United Is The Way To Lasting Local Change.

08/27/2026

SO... WHAT HAPPENED TO UNITEUS?

Last week, we reintroduced you to our favorite fiberglass bison and told you his story wasn't over.

And we weren't kidding. 😂

After traveling DeKalb County, making a trip to the Indiana State Fair, and spending several years along the United Way of DeKalb County Born Learning Trail at Rieke Park, Uniteus eventually needed a little TLC.

The Atrium Artists who originally brought him to life graciously agreed to give him a touch-up. Uniteus headed to the Atrium for what everyone thought would be a temporary stay.

Except...

He couldn't go back to the park. 😳

So our bison unexpectedly found himself without a permanent home.

And there he stayed. For a while.

When Kirby returned to UWDC in 2024, Tyler had just the project waiting:

“You started this thing, so he's yours to deal with and find a permanent home for...again.” 😂

Challenge accepted.

There have been a few more unexpected stops along the way, including one particularly glamorous hibernation year in Kirby's garage, but after years of wondering where Uniteus would eventually land...

We finally have an answer. 💙

He's getting cleaned up, protected from the elements, and prepared for the next chapter of his story.

And this time, we're really hoping permanent means permanent. 😂

Where is Uniteus going?

We're keeping that part a secret for just a few more days. 👀

08/26/2026

💙 A LEGACY THAT WILL LIVE ON

Our hearts are heavy as we join people around the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, who passed away yesterday at the age of 80.

Dolly leaves behind an extraordinary legacy through her music, her generosity, and perhaps most importantly to us, her unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

In 1995, Dolly created Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with a simple but powerful dream: to inspire a love of reading by putting books directly into the hands of children. What began in her home county in Tennessee grew into a worldwide early literacy movement that now mails millions of books to children each month.

United Way of DeKalb County is incredibly proud to serve as the local program partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, helping DeKalb County children build their own libraries at home, one book at a time.

And while the world has lost the remarkable woman who started it all, her dream does not end here.

The books will keep coming.
Children will keep turning the pages.
Families will keep reading together.
And new generations of little dreamers will continue growing up with Dolly in their mailboxes. 📚💙

Her legacy will live on in every child who discovers a favorite story, asks to read “just one more,” and begins to believe that their own story can be anything they dream it to be.

If you would like to honor Dolly’s memory by helping keep her dream alive right here in DeKalb County, gifts made through United Way of DeKalb County support our local Imagination Library program.

📚 Give locally: unitedwaydekalb.org/donate-now

Dolly’s family has also invited those wishing to honor her to support the Imagination Library.

📖 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: www.imaginationlibrary.com

Thank you, Dolly, for believing in the power of a book, the potential of a child, and the importance of dreaming big.

Your story may have ended, but the stories you put into the hands of millions of children will continue for generations to come. 💙📚

We will always love you.

08/25/2026

💵 FINANCIAL SECURITY IN ACTION | Meet ALICE

They are our neighbors. Our coworkers. The parents sitting beside us at school events. The people serving our food, caring for our loved ones, stocking our shelves, and helping keep our community moving.

They are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

ALICE households are working and earning above the Federal Poverty Level, but still struggle to afford the basic costs of living.

For these families, one unexpected expense, a car repair, medical bill, increase in child care costs, or missed day of work, can quickly disrupt an already tight household budget.

That's why Financial Security is one of United Way of DeKalb County's four impact areas.

Financial security isn't simply about income. It's about helping families build the stability and resources they need to weather life's challenges, make choices for their future, and move from surviving to stability.

Through local partnerships, community investments, and programs that help remove barriers, we're working toward a DeKalb County where every household has the opportunity to thrive.

💙 Because when ALICE is stronger, DeKalb County is stronger.

United Is The Way To Financial Security.

08/24/2026

💵 Financial security creates opportunities for families to thrive.

For many hardworking families, financial security means more than paying the bills.

It means having the stability to plan for the future, care for loved ones, and navigate life's unexpected challenges with confidence.

At United Way of DeKalb County, we're committed to strengthening financial security by investing in local solutions, supporting community partnerships, and connecting families with the resources they need to succeed.

Because when families are financially stable, our entire community benefits.

💙 United Is The Way To Financial Security.

08/21/2026

💙 Funding Friday: Investing in ALICE

Applications are officially open for United Way of DeKalb County’s 2026–2027 ALICE Grants!

Across DeKalb County, many individuals and families are working hard but still struggling to afford the basics. Our ALICE Grants invest in local programs that help meet immediate needs, remove barriers, and create greater stability for these households.

Organizations may apply for $5,000–$25,000 in funding for programs that directly serve ALICE households in DeKalb County and align with one or more of United Way of DeKalb County’s four impact areas:

🟢 Healthy Community
🔵 Youth Opportunity
🟡 Financial Security
🟠 Community Resiliency

Thinking about applying? Be sure to review the full grant guidelines and eligibility requirements before beginning your application.

📅 Applications are open now!
👉 unitedwaydekalb.org/impact-funding-grants

Questions? Reach out to our Community Impact Coordinator, Kirby Cool at [email protected]. We’re happy to help clarify grant requirements before you submit.

Because when local organizations have the resources to remove barriers for our neighbors, our entire community becomes stronger.

United Is The Way. 💙

08/20/2026

Anybody remember this guy?

Ten years ago, United Way of DeKalb County joined United Ways across Indiana for the Bison-tennial Public Art Project, celebrating Indiana’s 200th birthday.

Our contribution was a pretty unforgettable guy named Uniteus. 💙

Local artists transformed a plain white fiberglass bison into a work of art celebrating the places, people, and history that make DeKalb County home. And once he was finished, Uniteus went on quite the adventure.

He traveled. He made appearances around the community. He headed to the Indiana State Fair. He survived being hauled around in the back of a pickup truck. He even earned a certain volunteer the distinguished title of “Official Bison Hauler.” 😂

And some of our longtime United Way of DeKalb friends might remember when Uniteus eventually settled into what was supposed to be his permanent home on the Born Learning Trail at Rieke Park.

But here’s the thing...

Uniteus’ story didn’t end there. 👀

Ten years later, this bison has another chapter coming.

And trust us... it’s a good one.

Stay tuned.

08/18/2026

🌿 HEALTHY COMMUNITY IN ACTION

Yesterday, we talked about what it means to build a healthier DeKalb County. Today, we're sharing one of the ways we help put that mission into action.

Sometimes, the first step toward getting help is simply knowing where to turn.

United Way of DeKalb County maintains local resource guides to help connect individuals and families with services available throughout our community, from food and free meals to housing, healthcare, mental health services, financial assistance, childcare resources and more.

Our DeKalb County Food Pantry & Free Meal List and Local Resource List have both been updated for August.

💻 View or download the latest lists:
unitedwaydekalb.org/resources

📍 Need a printed copy? Stop by our office at 950 W. 15th Street in Auburn.

And even if you don't need these resources today, save this post. Share it. Bookmark the page. You never know when you, or someone you care about, might need to know where to turn.

💚 United Is The Way To A Healthy Community.

Address

950 W 15th Street
Auburn, IN
46706

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

(260) 927-0995

Website

http://unitedwaydekalb.org/

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