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Change Maker Stories

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Read More Change Maker Stories

Public Policy & Advocacy: Taking the Extra Step as a Donor

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March 26, 2019

Give. Advocate. Volunteer. These three words are a core piece of United Way’s message in mobilizing our community to create positive change across Lucas, Wood and Ottawa County. As a United Way donor, you understand what it means to “give” and to donate...

Posted in Advocacy, Change Maker Stories, Donor Education

Leaving Isolation: Finding Empowerment Among Your Peers

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March 19, 2019

When you’re attending college, you would think that everyone is free-thinking, accepting and open-minded, right? Well, let’s just say you can put “tolerance to the test” being a trans man on campus. I came to my university at 18, and to keep the...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Health | Tagged Equitas Health, MPowerment

Finding Superhero Powers: Early Education Support for both Parents and Children

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March 12, 2019

Looking at my sweet son Jamile pretending to be superhero as he “flies” across the room, one would never suspect he has a learning disability. Yet he does. And, if anyone understands what this hurdle is like it’s me. In fact, it’s...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Education | Tagged YWCA

The Promise: A Mother’s Fight to Protect Her Child, and Herself

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March 5, 2019

The traditional gift for a 7-year wedding anniversary is copper, which happens to be what some bullet casings are made of. For our 7-year anniversary, my husband shot me in the right kneecap. I still walk with a limp. I’d just discovered...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Health | Tagged Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program, Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center

A Love for Learning: Helping Kids Find their True Potential

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February 28, 2019

“Mom, I hate school!” Yelled 9-year-old Josiah as his mother questioned him about his low grades. “You just don’t understand. I’ll never be as smart as the other kids.” Tonya knew that her son could achieve anything he put his mind to. She...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Education | Tagged The Learning Club

Where Your Dollars Go: Dispelling the Overhead Myth

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February 19, 2019

We’ve all seen the Facebook posts, calling out nonprofits on their overhead ratio and the percentage of donations that go directly to programming. I get it—these are questions that raise eyebrows, and you certainly deserve some answers as donors. That said, I’d...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Donor Education

Counting the Days: A New Year, A New Home

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February 10, 2019

It was a tradition. Every year at the end of December, I spent a few extra dollars for a new calendar. I’d pin it to our kitchen wall for the entire family to see. We marked birthdays, holidays, our work schedules—everything—on the...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Financial Stability | Tagged Catholic Charities, La Posada

AVID: Be Better, Every Time

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February 7, 2019

A school is like a theater, and each classroom a stage. Well lit. Tables, desks, and chairs. Set decorations to match the subjects taught within. Mine, however, is an AVID classroom. My walls are adorned with posters, college pennants, and enough blank space...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Education | Tagged Advancement Via Individual Determination, AVID, Toledo Public Schools

Reflections on Gratitude and Humility: One Advocate’s Journey

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January 29, 2019

We are often asked, “What’s a typical day like at The Cocoon?” We smile, unable to capture the complex experiences we have gained by responding, “There is no typical day, you never know what each day will bring.” There are days that the...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Financial Stability, Wood County | Tagged The Cocoon Shelter

The Last Pencil: Having Supplies for our Students

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January 14, 2019

“Mrs. Thompson!” shouted Louis in a very disgruntled tone. His little arms crossed, barely able to see over my desk. “What’s wrong? Why the long face?” I said with a smile. He took a deep breath, “My pencil broke and it’s the last one...

Posted in Change Maker Stories, Education | Tagged The Salvation Army

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