United Way St. Croix & Red Cedar Valleys

06/11/2026

Congratulations to UW Valleys Board Member Luisa Gerasimo on being named a Distinguished Educator by UW–Madison!

We are grateful for Luisa's leadership, dedication, and commitment to strengthening our communities. This recognition is well deserved, and we are proud to have her as part of the UW Valleys family.

Congratulations, Luisa! 💙

👏 Congratulations to our own Luisa Gerasimo, Senior Human Development and Relationships Educator in Dunn County, who has been named a Distinguished Educator by UW–Madison!

🏅 The distinguished title recognizes extensive experience, advanced skills and knowledge, reputation and remarkable contributions to the profession.

Luisa’s many noteworthy accomplishments include:

⭐ Leading and co-leading the Dunn County Housing Action Team. This alliance came out of the Community Health Improvement Plan via the Dunn County Health Department in 2019. She has invested in this group because having a safe and affordable place to live is foundational to family wellness. 🏡

⭐ Growing The Literacy Link program’s “Making Reading Memories” in the local jail to record numbers over the course of the last four years in partnership with the Dunn County Jail Program Director, Heather Pyka. 📚

⭐ Consistently contributing to multiple state teams and marketing classes and resources to the region, resulting in local residents and service providers regularly taking advantage of educational programming. 🙌

⭐ Serving on boards like the United Way St. Croix & Red Cedar Valleys , where she helped create and launch a Day of Caring which now attracts hundreds of volunteers to serve local nonprofits, a value added of close to $17,000. 💗

🫶 Luisa, who has been a part of Extension since 2018, finds motivation in her work by relating to the families she supports.

"My family of origin had its own set of stressors: we moved a LOT, we struggled financially, our parents got divorced, and we also had love and found joy” she said. “When I work with local families, it is easy to feel motivated to help. Today's families are more stressed than ever, and society needs to do a better job centering our policies and energy on what families need to thrive."

🎆 Congratulations, Luisa, on your well-deserved recognition as a distinguished HDR educator. Thank you for your efforts and energy in our institute, in Dunn County and across the state!

Extension Dunn County UW Extension Health Dunn Right

06/09/2026

🎨 Use your creativity to help raise awareness about human trafficking in Wisconsin.

211 Wisconsin is now accepting entries for the statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Poster Contest. Wisconsin residents ages 18 and older are invited to create an original poster promoting awareness, prevention, support, and available resources.

🏆 First Place: $750
🥈 Second Place: $250
📅 Submission Deadline: August 15, 2026

Winning artwork will be displayed across Wisconsin to help educate communities and spark important conversations.

Learn more, view guidelines, and submit your entry:
https://www.unitedwaywi.org/page/AHTPosterContest

06/02/2026

Don't miss the latest from UW Valleys! 💙

From stories of local impact and program updates to upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and more, our newsletter is the best way to stay connected to the work happening across the St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys.

Check out past editions and sign up to receive future newsletters here: https://www.uwvalleys.org/stay-informed

05/26/2026

A big thank you to the 3M volunteer team for spending their morning supporting the UW Valleys Diaper Bank!

Volunteers helped repackage diapers, assemble newborn bundles, and move supplies, making a meaningful impact on our diaper bank operations and helping ensure families across our region have access to essential items for their children.

We are also grateful to Bill's Distributing for providing water and Menomonie Head Start and Early Head Start CESA #11 for providing snacks for the volunteer team.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and support. We truly appreciate community partners who help make this work possible! 💙

05/20/2026

Thank you to Security Financial Bank in Durand for their generous support of the UW Valleys Diaper Bank!

Through an employee giving initiative, staff raised $100 to help provide diapers and wipes for local families in Pepin County.

We are especially grateful to UW Valleys board member Cathy Asher for helping coordinate this effort and for her continued support of families across our communities.

Every contribution helps ensure families have access to essential items when they need them most.

Learn more at uwvalleys.org/diaper-bank

05/18/2026

Thank you to everyone who supported the Family Resource Center of Buffalo and Pepin Counties diaper drive!

As we continue growing diaper access in Pepin County, we are grateful for the community support that made this effort possible. Donations of diapers and wipes help local families access essential items for their children and stay healthy, supported, and connected to the resources they need. 💙

Learn more about the UW Valleys Diaper Bank: uwvalleys.org/diaper-bank

05/12/2026

Never miss an update from UW Valleys 💙

From local impact stories and community programs to volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, our monthly newsletter helps you stay connected to the work happening across Western Wisconsin.

Scan the QR code or visit uwvalleys.org/stay-informed to subscribe and read past newsletters.

05/12/2026

A big congratulations to Our Neighbors' Place, Inc. on the groundbreaking of the new building in River Falls! 🎉

05/08/2026

Thank you, West Immanuel Lutheran Church! 💙

The 3rd Annual Diaper Drive collected 1,811 diapers and 22 packages of wipes to help support local families through the UW Valleys Diaper Bank.

We are grateful for the continued support from West Immanuel Lutheran Church and everyone who contributed to this year’s drive. Community support like this helps provide essential items to families across our region.

Learn more about the UW Valleys Diaper Bank at uwvalleys.org/diaper-bank

05/07/2026

211 helps connect people to local resources for food, housing, utilities, mental health support, and more, and the need for these services continues to grow across the country.

A new bipartisan bill, the HELP Act, aims to strengthen and expand 211 services nationwide, helping ensure more people can get connected to support when they need it most.

At UW Valleys, we see firsthand how important 211 is for individuals and families across our region. 💙

Read more here: https://www.unitedway.org/news/united-way-worldwide-backs-bipartisan-help-act-to-strengthen-211-system-amid-growing-demand?Term=20%25+(New)%E2%80%8B,211,Breaking+News+%26+Events%E2%80%8B,Delivering+Help+and+Hope+to+Our+Neighbors%E2%80%8B,Graphic+(static),Organic,Public+Policy+%26+Advocacy,Recover+(Community+Resiliency),Singular,Strengthening+Communities+Through+Connection+%E2%80%8B&utm_campaign=&utm_content=1777398473&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawRp0llleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4dXpmMzBOS2RjRkZtNjlGc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoaQPfcvLYJzVC73yLB6DgBTrdiHI6lNc39p4M8kOk1RylFFIuzi_v_a8WN1_aem_gxdEGVVSDx2Mg2G65knL_A

Every day, millions of Americans face urgent challenges, from housing and food to mental health and disaster recovery, and don’t know where to turn.

The HELP Act aims to strengthen 211, a helpline supported by United Way, ensuring more people can connect to local, life-changing support when it matters most.

With 19M referrals in 2025 alone, 211 is already a critical lifeline. This investment would expand its reach, improve coordination with 988 and 911, and help ensure no one falls through the cracks.

💙 Help starts with connection, and 211 is there.
🔗 Read more, link in comments.