Advocate

Real, sustainable community improvement requires changes in public policy. LIVE UNITED is not about politics; it's about understanding our nation's crises and coming together to solve them.

United Way of America's public agenda is organized by the work of United Ways across the country in the areas of 2-1-1, education, income, and health. Additionally, United Way of America advocates for sound policies affecting the nonprofit sector's capacity to advance the common good. UWA advocacy falls into three tiers: 1) Legislative Leadership Priorities, 2) Legislative Advocacy Issues, and 3) Legislative Support Issues. 

Madison County Resources:

 Indiana Association of United Way's Advocacy Action Center

The IAUW Advocacy Action Center is a one-stop website to learn more about advocacy in Indiana.

Community Services Council
A monthly Meeting of Madison County for both non-profits and for-profits that provides a space to connect, learn about new programs and share news and announcements. To be included on the distribution list, Email your contact information to the above email.

Madison County Book Club

The Book club is a joint effort between The Community Services Council and United Way of Madison County to connect residents with books that address the many issues facing low-income families. Call United Way at 765-643-7493 to learn more.

Online Resources:

Cliff Effect Report
Read the full report from the Indiana Institute for Working Families

Play Spend
Play an online game to see if you could survive a month earning less than a living wage.

Bridges out of Poverty
Bridges out of Poverty teaches the hidden economic and societal rules that keep people in poverty.

Circles
The Circles program is a mentor-based program that connects residents with low-income adults to build individualized strategies to improve their lives.

Place at the Table 

“Place at the Table” is a new documentary that explores the connection between poverty and hunger.

Further Reading:

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert

Myth of the Welfare Queen by David Zucchino

Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich

Stories from Below the Poverty Line by George Beukema

Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World by Philip E. DeVol