OUR VISION

We envision a future where all individuals have equitable access to the information and services they need to build a sustainable, healthy, and prosperous future for themselves and their communities.

WHO WE ARE

We are a collaborator, a direct service provider, and a funder dedicated to driving transformative change across the county. We concentrate on identifying service gaps through 211 and use this real-time data to enhance the capacity of other CBOs or to develop programs that address these unmet needs. Our approach prioritizes the individual, ensuring every voice is heard by enhancing access to information and services across languages, cultures, and traditions.

We are part of United Way Worldwide, the world's largest philanthropic network, which operates in nearly 1,100 communities across more than 37 countries and territories, covering 95% of the United States. This extensive network maintains strong relationships across government, business, and nonprofit sectors. Each local branch, including ours, functions autonomously with its own Board of Directors determining the fundraising and spending within the community.

OUR VALUES

  • We center and support the community as the driver for change, and are committed to working with and strengthening our partners for that change.

  • We ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible use of our resources.

  • We engage the meaningful participation of partners and community members from diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and languages.

  • We embrace data, new technologies and forward-thinking approaches to enrich our human experience and augment our collective impact.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

We pledge to be an institution that embodies the following:

Diversity – acknowledging, valuing, and learning about differences and similarities to build compassion, trust, and solidarity across groups.

Equity – working towards creating a just, inclusive, and equitable community with access to resources for all.

Inclusion – cultivating cross-cultural communication and relational skills to work across differences, and all can join in embracing a community where all feel respected and valued.

Cultural humility –seeking new ways of knowledge, fostering curiosity, and recognizing that we are both teachers and learners. 

We are committed to advancing solutions to overcome barriers, helping communities demonstrate what works, and continuing the internal work to ensure we can fully partner in the challenging and critical work ahead. 

The Staff and Board of United Way of Merced County

3/19/2024

OUR POSITION OPPOSING ALL FORMS OF RACISM

  • We acknowledge that racism and other harmful forms of discrimination and oppression have contributed to the persistent barriers that United Way seeks to break down.

  • We condemn racism and other forms of discrimination because they undermine the well-being and vitality of all communities.

  • We recognize that racial, social, and economic disparities are the result of policies and practices that marginalize and exclude entire populations of people

  • We understand that these disparities have existed and persist in the present.

  • Our United Way network strives to advance equity for all and create opportunities to improve historically underserved communities.

  • We work with community, public, and private partners to co-create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, support, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.

  • As we work together to address critical issues in our communities and society, we can make a difference by engaging more equitably with staff, private and public partners, and community members.

  • Our success in this critical time can only come from the success of the communities we serve.