Nancy Vaughan: United Way focused on education, health, income

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November 21, 2009

Anonymous The Herald Bulletin Sat Nov 21, 2009, 08:38 PM EST

It is with more than a bit of trepidation that I bring up the word “abortion” in any context related to United Way.

However, year after year I am told by volunteers and advocates for the work we do in Madison County that they have been told that our organization somehow supports abortion services.

Once again, I will try to set the record straight: No. United Way of Madison County does NOT fund abortion services either directly or indirectly.

So why the trepidation? Because the dialogue related to abortion is so emotionally charged and divisive that even making a statement that we aren’t involved in any way can connect our organization to the issue and create “reasons” for people to refuse to support the work that we DO in Madison County.

To support United Way is to support the work that we do — all focused on building The Common Good by building education, income and health supports to create a better life for all.

With regard to children — born and unborn — that support includes work to connect pregnant women with prenatal services and to keep them and their children connected to health care. It supports work to build healthy families that nurture children in a safe environment and help them grow physically, mentally and emotionally into happy and productive adults. It supports work to protect children when their homes are not safe environments.

At this point I can hear readers who are pro-choice vowing to stop support of United Way. To them, I ask that you reread the above paragraph and make a decision based on what we DO rather than on what we don’t do.

I can also hear echoes from those who are saying that in another community the United Way provides funding to pro-choice organizations. To those, I offer this primer of the United Way system structure:

-- Every local United Way is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that is managed locally by a volunteer board.

-- As a member of United Way Worldwide, a local United Way may use the brand name and must comply with a set of membership standards that focus on financial accountability and use of the brand.

-- Not required, but highly recommended, is alignment with the national agenda related to education, income and health.

-- Both United Way of America and the Indiana Association of United Ways have public policy agendas. Those agendas are focused on bi-partisan issues that support the common good, such as funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Food and Shelter Program, funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, supporting legislation that strengthens the non profit sector such as support for charitable giving incentives like the IRA rollover, and support for 2-1-1.

-- Donor funds are used locally. Dues to state and national are used for supportive services (marketing, educational opportunities, etc.) and do not fund programs.

Supporting United Way of Madison County IS supporting life — and a better life — for our children.

Nancy Vaughan is president of United Way of Madison County. Her column appears the fourth Sunday of each month. She can be contacted at n.vaughan@unitedwaymadisonco.org, or 643-7493.

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